Dreams of Kibra students realized as Ndoto Zetu enters third phase with Sh100m on offer
The look on the faces of students at Shadrack Kimalel Secondary School, in Kibra, tells it all.
It’s a new dawn for the community of over 400 learners in Nairobi, who can now dream of a future where their aspirations in education can yield fruits for generations to come.
The school has benefited from two projects; a science laboratory and a 16-door ablution block that cumulatively received about KES5.5 million from Safaricom Foundation under Ndoto Zetu initiative where the organization partners with communities to turn dreams into reality.
Speaking during the launch of Ndoto Zetu phase three at the school, Safaricom Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa said education brings out three key elements — empowerment, discipline and critical thinking — all of which are vital ingredients for one’s success in life.
“As a company, we strongly believe that all students have a right to quality education, attained by ensuring that schools are well equipped with the necessary infrastructure to support conducive learning,” said Mr Ndegwa.
Through Ndoto Zetu initiative, Safaricom Foundation invites Kenyans to share their dreams and aspirations that will have a positive impact on their communities for financing.
Read also: How Ndoto Zetu is transforming lives one project at a time
Since its launch in 2019 Ndoto Zetu has impacted millions of lives through investment of about KES90 million in projects that help improving the welfare of people and communities across the 47 counties in Kenya.
“This year we have set aside KES100 million which is three times the amount we invested when we first launched Ndoto Zetu. We hope to impact and transform many lives as we continue to support the country bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he noted.
Applicants from across the country can lodge their proposals through Safaricom Foundation website or by visiting any of the telco giant’s retail shops countrywide to fill in an application form for a chance to have your community dream realized.
Through the initiative, Safaricom Foundation considers proposed projects under three key pillars; health, education and economic empowerment for financing.
“Within the education pillar, we aim to improve literacy and numeracy among children aged six to 16 years old and provide relevant learning materials that enhance their learning spaces,” said Ndoto Zetu initiative chairman Joe Ogutu.
At the moment, Safaricom Foundation is rolling out a literacy and numeracy program in collaboration with with Zizi Afrique Foundation in Turkana, Tana River and Bungoma counties where over 7,000 pupils are set to acquire literacy and numeracy skills.
Further the programme seeks to promote access to technical and vocational education for young people by liaising with employers, development partners, government agencies as well as accreditation providers through a holistic Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program, Mr Ogutu noted.
“For tertiary education, we have a vocational training program that aims to empower students with skills in plumbing, welding, food and beverage and electrical engineering,” said Mr Ndegwa.
The foundation is also supporting over four million students enabling learning from home services through Shupavu 291, in partnership with Eneza Education.
In the just concluded Ndoto Zetu phase two, the initiative saw 329 successful applications receive a total of KES60.6 million in funding, touching nearly 250,000 lives in each of the 47 counties.
