Habitat for Humanity Kenya donates classrooms, toilets to Homa Bay school

Habitat for Humanity-Kenya has handed a two-classroom building constructed for Early Childhood Education (ECDE) learners at Manga primary in the Rangwe constituency.

The pupils were previously learning in a dilapidated and small mabati classroom before the organization through its National Director Anthony Okoth came to their aid.

Okoth handed over the classrooms, three latrines with four doors each and five water tanks of 10,000 litres each for the school to Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga.

The projects are meant to enable pupils to study in an environment which is conducive to learning.

Manga Primary is among many schools in Homa Bay where the conditions of ECDE are wanting. Homa Bay has more than 800 ECDE centres.

ECDE is devolved and should be funded by the county government but the majority of centres have un-conducive classrooms to support the learning of children.

At Manga, ECDE teacher Grace Otieno disclosed they were previously teaching in a pathetic classroom where they could not undertake their duties effectively.

When it rained, all 105 learners who were sharing a small classroom had to be sent home.

 “The former mabati building we were using as a classroom neither had a window nor a door. The floor had dust and got muddy. When it rains, many children frequently got sick,” she said.

Children were also sharing latrines with their counterparts from upper primary and did not have water to wash their hands.

These were some of the factors that Habitat for Humanity Kenya considered when it listed the school as one which it will help.

Every two modern classrooms can now accommodate more than 60 pupils who learn at the ECDE Center.

Okoth said the deplorable state of the building which the children were using as classrooms pushed them to construct new ones.

Habitat for Humanity has also built more than 10 permanent houses for widows and vulnerable families in Homa Bay.

“The pupils used to learn in unsafe classrooms. We’re happy that the new classrooms will enable the learning to take place in a habitable environment,” Okoth said.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the primary school in Kagan ward on Friday, Magwanga gave out more than sh50, 000 to buy chairs and tables to be used by pupils in the classrooms.

He expressed hope that the new classrooms will cushion the pupils from contracting diseases which result from a poor hygienic environment.

Magwanga said the project will help in reducing absenteeism among the pupils.

“Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity has helped us a great deal. The aid they have given us will our children and other learners improve their health,” Magwanga said.

The school community was urged to participate actively in education matters to enhance cooperation with teachers.

Magwanga said their administration will continue partnering with Habitat for Humanity Kenya in undertaking various development projects in Homa Bay.

He said they will provide a conducive environment for Habitat for Humanity Kenya to undertake its development activities in Homa Bay.

“We’re ready for more working together to ensure we improve the lives of our people. Such projects are of great help and we support the Habitat for Humanity organization,” Magwanga said.