Neema Educational Centre (NEC) Programme Coordinator Lawrence Omondi has decried insufficient public primary schools in Kitengela.
He said that this has led to a rise in the number of children loitering in the streets of the town, who sometimes risk their lives with boys involving themselves in crime and girls getting initiated into prostitution.
Omondi, who is also a teacher, said that this was the main reason he started NEC as a Community-Based Organization (CBO) in 2012.
“While walking along the streets of Kitengela towards Noonkopir slums one day, I was shocked to see the large number of children in the streets, most of whom were supposed to be in school. Upon inquiry, they said that public schools were full and their parents could not afford private schools,” he said.
He said that starting with 10 pupils, NEC began to sponsor primary school education for orphans and needy children, especially girls. Currently, the population stands at 250 pupils.
To generate extra income, the children weave Maasai beads to create jewelry which is sold through the school’s social media pages.
Omondi noted that the school recently partnered with the Now Chew On This organization, founded by Dr. Charmene Vega, to launch a feeding programme to curb malnutrition and ensure the children concentrate on their studies
“This is my first programme in Kenya meant to support the school and to also promote their products to motivate the children to better their skills and talents,” she said.
Dr. Vega noted that addressing malnutrition at a young age will boost the immunity of children and will prevent the wastage of public resources on treating preventable diseases.
She appealed to NGOs, CBOs and companies in the area to chip in and support the children.
“Everyone has the responsibility to change society by adopting one or two pupils so I appeal to well-wishers and organizations to chip in because the number of children increases daily. The door is always open.” She said.
By Michael Opiyo
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