Across Kisumu County, in zones where congested and incomplete classrooms once made schooling a challenging undertaking for children, a silent revolution is fast taking shape. 

Through grassroot-led initiatives, communities are not just improving their most essential facilities such as classrooms, but also offering future generations an opportunity to lead better life.

Under Safaricom Foundation's Ndoto Zetu initiative, communities in this part of the country have benefited not only in building better infrastructure for their children education, health institutions, but also received an opportunity to scale economic empowerment investments for better revenue generation.

Take for instance Orobi Primary School and Ochok Kadongo Junior learning centres, which have benefitted from the Foundation's funding.

At Orobi Primary School, the headteacher shares memories of years gone by when 37 desks were all the centre had to serve an overwhelming number of learners. 

This meant that overcrowded classes was the order of business, leaving both teachers and pupils unable to enjoy quality teaching and learning.

Under Ndoto Zetu initiative, however, the school received a transformative gift: new lockers and desks, offering the learners a golden chance to start learning comfortably, and store their most essential items--books--in a secure place.

Similar transformation has also been experienced at Ochok Kadongo Junior School. A couple of years ago, the headteacher recalls how learners would walk to school daily with heavy bags since the school lacked safe storage areas for books.

Since Ndoto Zetu's donation of lockers and chairs, Ochok Kadongo Junior School has transformed into a great learning centre for hundreds of children, allowing them to better focus on gaining knowledge.

Across the country, many more schools are set to benefit just like Ochok Kadongo Junior School and Orobi Primary School as Safaricom Foundation has set aside KES100 million to finance community-led initiatives across education, health and economic empowerment this year.

This will be the Foundation's seventh phase of driving social impact under community-led Ndoto Zetu, Uwezo Wetu programme.

“With Ndoto Zetu, we are inspired by everyday Kenyans who dare to dream not just for themselves, but for their communities. As we launch Phase 7, we are walking this journey with you, because when your dream lifts others, it becomes our dream too,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom PLC, in July during launch of the seventh phase of Ndoto Zetu at Eldoret Special School in Uasin Gishu County.

Since its inception, Ndoto Zetu initiative has seen over 1,820 projects financed to completion, positively impacting the lives of over three million people in Kenya.

In 2024, the Foundation handed over 400 projects, including 294 in education, 52 in health, and 54 within economic empowerment segment.

To apply for Ndoto Zetu funding, Kenyans can fill out forms available at their nearest Safaricom Shops or virtually at https://www.safaricomfoundation.org/ndotozetu/.

According to the Foundation, successful applicants will be contacted via 0722 000 000.

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