Newly launched Absa Kenya Foundation (AKF) has handed over Kes600,000 worth of textbooks and learning material to Kisumu Day and Boarding High School, marking the first initiative of the lender’s social arm.

According to the Foundation, the donation is in line with its Education and Skills strategic pillar and aims at enhancing the learning experience of the students thereby improving their academic performance. The school is one of the biggest secondary schools in Kisumu city with a population of about 1500 students and 62 teaching staff.

“As brand, everything we do revolves around our purpose: Empowering Africa’s tomorrow together…one story at a time. What this means is that everything we do is centered around empowering our communities and making positive contributions that ensure the society’s tomorrow is better," explained Absa Bank Kenya Managing Director and CEO, Abdi Mohamed.

He added: “Our firm belief is that education is the key engine towards positive social change in our community and a tool that brings to the fore the potential that lies in everyone one of us.”

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Citizenship initiatives

The Bank has a longstanding relationship with the school, both as a client and a beneficiary of its citizenship initiatives. These initiatives include the installation of a computer lab which gave rise to the introduction of computer lessons in the school as well as supporting the learning centre in tree planting activities.

“Studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between school instructional material and academic achievement, informing our decision to invest in this initiative,” added Mr. Mohamed.

Last week, Absa announced the launch of the AKF, which will focus on four key programmatic pillars: entrepreneurship, education and skills, natural resource management, and health and humanitarian relief.

In the education and skills pillar, the Foundation targets to reach up to one million young people through the Absa Bank Ready-to-Work initiative to support 50,000 youth through the Absa Fellowship Program, and award 500 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) scholarships.

Absa Kenya Foundation is an independent charitable trust established by Absa Bank Kenya PLC in 2024. The Foundation’s vision is to be an active force for good in our communities. Its mission is to empower communities through innovative programs and partnerships that build sustainable prosperity for all.

The Foundation exists to catalyze positive impact in the communities through four thematic areas of entrepreneurship, education and skills, natural resource management, and health and humanitarian relief. The Foundation is domiciled at Absa Bank Kenya.

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