Absolution Blocks Presentation Under WASH at Gathiriga Primary School
Events
By Monica Warui
At a school in Central Kenya, students wait in line to use modern, clean toilets that also offer privacy most especially for the girls. It is a luxury that most have not experienced.
A few years ago, Rotarian Veronica of the Rotary club of Nairobi Muthaiga North visited Gathiriga primary school which is located in Kipipiri sub-county in central Kenya, about
130 kilometres from Nairobi. The headteacher shared the school’s plight about the condition of the students’ latrines and requested her to assist them find a donor who would help in building a new ablution block. She promptly approached the RC Nairobi Muthaiga North board and consequently the club members.
The journey began with a needs assessment was done after which the club unanimously voted that the school qualified for assistance. A hunt for an international partner thus commenced. The Rotaract club of – from the United States of America agreed to partner with our club. The project kick-started in 2021 and despite Covid -19 challenges, it managed to run through to the end and was officially handed over to the school in the presence of the students, teachers and community leaders.
We are so happy and humbled by the fact that strangers would go to these lengths to ensure our children are comfortable in school, may rotary live long to impact more lives,’ said the area chief
Before, we used to share toilets with the boys. We would end up going to the bushes just to relieve ourselves due to lack of privacy. I am so happy that I can now use a proper toilet that offers me privacy,” said one of he students from Gathiriga primary school.
We are so grateful for the new ablution block that has been handed over to us officially, the students are very excited by this as you have observed. On behalf of the students, teachers and the community at large, I wish to thank the rotary family,” said the school headmaster.
Immediate Past President Alex Kaniu, Projects Director Mike Otwoma accompanied by 20 members of the club were present to witness the handover which was followed by a scrumptious lunch prepared by the community.
In the words of Martin Luther King JrEverybody can be great because everybody can serve. Seeing the joys of the community and the camaraderie fostered between the Rotary Clubs and the community makes the Rotary journey of service, worth every while.
This project was in a partnership with an interact club from the United States of America
