[Photo: Courtesy]
Up to 355 school children in Nakuru county have a reason to smile after World Vision Kenya teamed up with shoemaker Bata Shoe Kenya PLC to donate pairs of school shoes to them.
The donation through the World Vision Kenya’s Gifts-in-Kind (GIK) initiative, serves as a crucial boost to the children, mostly vulnerable and come from an accident ridden region, Salgaa Area.
In a press statement to newsrooms, Chepseon Primary School, founded in 2013 to address the rising number of child fatalities, was deemed as a perfect choice to receive the donations because of the hardships students face, including food
insecurity, lack of parental care, exposure to abuse, and homelessness.
Other beneficiaries were learners from Belbur Primary School, founded in 1983 and serves 1,027 learners offering quality education and stability to children from the densely populated Salgaa community.
According to the National Director, World Vision Kenya Gilbert Kamanga, the donation of school shoes was powered by the Inuka Angaza Fund, World Vision Kenya’s local resource development initiative, to improve the learners comfort, self esteem, and ability to attend school regularly.
“A pair of shoes can mean the difference between attending school and staying home. This donation will protect children’s feet from harm and also encourage school attendance and participation. We thank Bata for standing with us in our mission to offer hope and dignity to children who need it the most,” said Gilbert Kamanga.
On their part, Bata Kenya Managing Director Benson Okumu said the partnership is in line with their Bata Children’s Program (BCP), which has so far positively impacted over 400,000 children worldwide.
“At Bata, we believe every step a child takes should be safe and supported. We are proud to partner with World Vision Kenya in ensuring that children in Salgaa can pursue their education with confidence and dignity,” said Benson Okumu, Managing Director at Bata
”Through our partnership with World Vision Kenya, we aim to ensure that these children have access to basic necessities, starting with proper footwear, which plays a crucial role in their journey to success.” John Ngoru, Regional Human Resource Director Africa and Middle East, Bata, emphasised.
Since 1974, World Vision has remained dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.