By Dennis Lumiti
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has donated school uniforms to hundreds of needy learners across Shinyalu Constituency in Kakamega County.
Ikana Maendeleo Foundation also donated shoes and sandals to the learners.
The organisation said it had conducted a survey in the constituency and established that many students from poor family backgrounds avoided school just because of uniforms.
The organisation’s Patron Fred Ikana said the learners felt they were lesser members of the society which automatically affected their studies.
“We started by conducting a survey where we picked out the needy cases in every school. We then took their measurements and embarked on purchasing the uniforms and footwear for them,” he said.
He added that the move would enable the children focus on their education and not their tattered uniforms.
“We are already paying school fees for many of our children in secondary schools and colleges but we felt that was not enough,” he said.
The NGO’s officials went to primary and secondary schools where they handed in the uniforms to the needy cases.
They recently donated sanitary towels to female students and are also putting up houses for several needy families in the constituency.
Ikana, a prominent Nairobi-based businessman, said he will be issuing the uniforms and shoes annually until the learners complete their studies.