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A Global Grant funded initiative by the Rotary Foundation in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Lake Chelan from Washington State and Rotary Club of Milimani from Nairobi has borne fruits of chartering a new club (RC Maasai Mara), providing income generation initiatives, and improving facilities of the Kisiriri Primary School inclusive of the community. An initiative which began during Past President Gichu’s term (2016-2017), executed throughout Past President Mariam’s span (2017 - 2018) and funded during Past President Beauttah’s tenure (2018-2019) has seen the population of the school grow at 37% within a year of impact. 

The objective of the initiative was to support the restoration of classrooms, equipping the school with desks, refurbishing toilets and providing clean water for the community. From the $181,000 provided funds, the dilapidated classrooms which had holes in the walls incommoding different classes as tutors taught were restored to a better standard. In addition, the toilets which were a risk factor due to the walls made of wood exposing the children during their use and latrine hole which was at the brink of falling in was also restored. The restoration saw 14 girls,14 boys and 4 teacher toilets constructed. Children were trained on sanitation and hygiene on a regular basis, as the girls were taught on monthly procedures while on their periods. Handwashing stations have moreover been included to improve the hygiene standards of the teachers and students from Playgroup stage to grade eight (8).

Totaling to the community’s needs, two tanks have been assembled, with each tank having a capacity of 350,000 litres. One solar-powered water tank is used by the school whereas the other is a community tank, where the school uses a token system for income generation. The community water tank operates on a cashless dispenser system that community members load money through MPESA paybill to acquire tokens. These tokens are then redeemed for water up until their personal account is depleted.

Due to access to the tank by the community, the project committee had to renovate the appearance of the school. The front fence, gate and the walls were renovated. According to Jackline Musyoka, Primary Contact for the Grant, “We would visit the school every two weeks, supervise the project, have sessions with the children and teach them the four-way test. If they practice the four-way test as children, even though they won’t be Rotarians when adults, they will grow up to be people of good character”. Partners from the US, Lester Copper, Tom and Kosen constantly keep in touch and visit the site. Rotary Club of Lake Chelan, consequently, have revamped the school buildings necessitating classes made of wood over 40 years ago now made of brick to be more permanent through member distribution and with Rotary Club of Milimani assistance on construction.

Currently, Rotary Club of Milimani is working on providing 180 Desks to the school. This will ensure the grant funds are expressly used to the need, closing the project. In early 2019, Rotary Club of Milimani marked 85% of club members having visited the Kisiriri community. Observing this, Jackline Musyoka indicated, “The commendable functions about this project are the relationships we built with the stakeholders, educating the children about rotary objectives, and a chance to travel while creating a long-lasting impact within the district”.

Kisiriri Primary School and community, a half an hour drive from Narok town will in future have a branded section wall with Rotary Information and Fun facts to share the joy of the organization with a larger community. “We are planning on branding one section of the school walls as a rotary corner to keep Rotary Information open to all” commented Jackline Musyoka. 

There have been positive consequences of this global grant as Rtn. Lester Cooper calls it. We have witnessed the birth of a new Rotary Club-RC Masaai Mara and a story book project which was a refurbished room turned into a well-equipped Library by Rtn. Lester Cooper's daughter (Elaine Cooper Thompson)-. Walter, the school’s current Head teacher, indicates that there has been a great turnaround in attendance, reducing the absenteeism rate, and parents transferring kids from private schools to this school. The future plans are to build a boarding facility for the older kids to ensure even better care for those from far and beyond to grow in knowledge.

Written by Rose Barasa