School For The Mentally Handicapped Receives Water Facility

Students of Shavihiga Special School for the mentally handicapped have received a water project funded by the Safaricom Foundation.

The institution received a water project valued at Kes 1.64 million that will provide safe water for the school and the community at large.

“Improving the environment for learning institutions across the country especially the marginalized is part of our mandate as a foundation. Education has been part of our main area of focus since inception in 2003 and we are keen on working with various institutions across the country to ensure that learners have a conducive setting to access knowledge,” said George Ndhiwa, Safaricom Head, Greater Western.

The United Nations classified Kenya as a water scarce country with 41 percent of the population lacking access to safe drinking water while 20 percent lack access to continuous safe water.

This project meets the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) that ascertains quality education and the sixth goal that ensures availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

“We used to incur huge bills to ensure that we had water. Unfortunately the supply was erratic and unsafe and caused frequent ailments amongst the students. Now with this clean and steady supply of water, our students will focus on learning and the community will also benefit at a very low cost which will earn the school extra funds,” Said Ms Damaris Otieno, Head teacher, Shavihiga Special School.

Safaricom Foundation will continue working with communities to guarantee that needy schools receive the amenities to boost learning. Shavihiga Special School is one of the many schools that has received support from the foundation in this region.