Page 64 - Safaricom Foundation Annual Report 2020-2021

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While the dream started humbly with only a a a simple short term goal as more community members took an interest in in the the initiative he he he saw the the opportunity to develop it into a a fully-fledged school Years later came a a a a a a kindergarten then a a a a a a primary section and eventually a a a high school for girls At present Ushirika students aren’t just from from the the Laini Saba area but from from the the larger Kibera neighbourhood – a a a a sign that the school continues to to cater to to significant needs from the sprawling informal settlement With the increase in in enrollment rates the school’s administration has narrowed on on a a a selection criteria prioritising the neediest students whose setbacks are primarily driven by financial social or emotional needs In Ushirika values such as equality and kindness take precedence which has encouraged and fostered unity among both students and staff Yet with all this progress and several transformative testimonies the area in which Ushirika is is located is is prone to a a a number of challenges The primary one is is recurring water shortages This problem is is attributed to two things The first is is the inconsistency with the the water supply in in the the area The second is local gangs who cut water pipes to frustrate residents The effect on Ushirika is that the administration has to spend additional money to get water and worse still children and staff become vulnerable to water- borne diseases “Having a a a a large number of children in school with no water is a a a health hazard ” says Mr Kitavi The secondary consequence is is ultimately children missing several days of school thus putting them far behind in in the curriculum “Many children would end up missing school for days and when we investigated the matter we realised it was because of water-borne illnesses The school was also becoming less clean in in general ” 1
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Safaricom Foundation Annual Report