Optiven Foundation CEO Dr. George Kariuki Wachiuri has urged Kenyans to give back to their former schools and support current students through alumni groups.
Kariuki also called on leaders and politicians to support children from humble backgrounds, especially in rural areas where many families struggle to raise school fees.
He made the remarks at Labura Primary School in Kieni constituency, Nyeri County during a thanksgiving ceremony held to celebrate his academic achievements and social contributions after he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Leadership and Philanthropy a few weeks ago.
Kariuki said that the Foundation supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds through bursaries and mentorship programmes.
“To date, over 600 youngsters from all parts of the country have benefited from Optiven’s philanthropy,” he said.
The CEO added that the Foundation has also made substantial contributions to aid mobility for people with disabilities, donating more than 5,000 pieces of equipment.
Dressed in academic regalia, Dr. Wachiuri received a warm welcome and a standing ovation from the hundreds gathered at the school grounds.
The event featured an array of talented entertainers, including media personalities, who delighted the audience among whom were politicians, clergymen and administrators with captivating performances by primary and secondary students, and religious organizations.
It was an opportunity for him to express gratitude, inspire future generations and demonstrate his commitment to giving back to the community.
Tanalope Consultancy CEO and Kariuki’s former classmate, Alex Gathii, expressed his support for Dr. Wachiuri’s proposal to form alumni groups and support education in rural areas.
Gathii, who is a dairy expert, lauded the initiative and highlighted the importance of pooling resources to assist the less privileged.
As a demonstration of his commitment, he donated books worth Ksh100,000 to support local schools.
“Education is the key to success. We should come together and support students from vulnerable families so that they can achieve their dreams,” he said.
By Macharia Kiarie
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
