By Abdulaziz Hassan/BORESHA Project.
Abdi Rashid Daud Hussein is 19year old student from Malkamari village in Banisa Sub-county. He is form 2 students in Malkamari secondary school located along Kenya-Ethiopia border, Abdi Rashid, enjoys a meal in a newly built dining hall.
“I am grateful that I can have my meals in a clean and safer room I was always afraid at lunch time as there were many scorpions and snakes outdoor. My food used to get covered with dust, the sun was too hot for us to bear the heat as the trees had no leaves to give us shade hence lunch time was not a pleasant moment for me and any my school mates.’’
Two years ago, World Vision visited the area and talked to the community that identified the school infrastructure development as a need area and appealed for support to address challenges their children faced.
During the visit, the World Vision team witnessed students squatting under trees in the school compound eating their afternoon meals under the scorching sun, occasionally using shirts to cover their plates from the dust carried by whirlwinds.
Photo: students taking meals under trees before intervention.
“This well-furnished hall has made my life easier and eating lunch a pleasant experience unlike before. The hall also serves as a multi-purpose facility used as a venue for many activities like debates, watching educational documentaries and set-book plays, holding meetings and even an examination hall. I am grateful to BORESHA because now I can eat and study in a place that gives me dignity.” Adds Abdi Rashid 19-year-old student.
Photo :Students enjoying their Meal in the new furnished dinning hall.
Through building opportunity for resilience in the horn of Africa (BORESHA) project, the school benefited from the Cash-for-work project and built a modern kitchen and a dining hall. In addition, the school was also provided with a 24000ltr plastic water tank for harvesting rain water to increase access to clean and safe water. Additionally, solar lighting was installed and the hall fitted with furniture.
“The facility has contributed to increase in the number of students joining the institution. For the first time in school’s history, we achieved an enrolment of 200 students. The improved learning environment has stirred interest in education for those who had interest but were discouraged by state of the facilities and had to go and study in other sub-counties. The community is now able to educate their children without being separated from their parents. With education, children now have a brighter future.’’ says Billow-principal.
The project has not only contributed to the school enrolment but also retention given the improved learning environment recently created according to the school board which comprises of members drawn from the community.