Grow Against Poverty, an NGO based in Nambale Sub County, in collaboration with World Bicycle Relief an NGO based in USA, have supported 50 needy students from Buyosi Secondary School in Busia Sub County with a view to achieve 100 percent transition.
Speaking to the press during the official launch of the bicycles at Busia County Commissioner’s office premises on Tuesday, Director of GAP Hellen Mukanda said that the bicycles, worth Sh 1.3 million will assist the students who have been trekking for more than five kilometers to reach school.
“One bicycle costs Sh 25,200 exclusive of the helmets and reflector jackets translating to Sh 1.3 million,” she said.
Mukanda urged the beneficiaries to handle the donation well adding that the move will attract more funding for other students.
‘’I also want to urge parents and other stakeholders to assist children to attain quality education with a view to create an impressive society,” she said.
She pointed out that the program dubbed pedal power for students, has donated 65 bicycles to St Mary’s Nambale Secondary school, 50 bicycles to St Matthias Secondary school – Busia Sub County, 25 bicycles to Igero Secondary school in Busia Sub County, 50 bicycles to Mary Immaculate Nambale Secondary school in Nambale Sub County and 50 Peters Buyosi -Busia Sub County.
“Even though we are based in Nambale Sub County, we are determined to support learners across Busia County,” she said, adding that they will donate more bicycles to Mabunge Secondary school on Wednesday.
The official at the same time urged the beneficiaries to be responsible, passionate of their education and take good care of the bicycles.
“This is an opportunity to cushion you from destructive behaviours occasioned by free lifts, which end up in early marriages and unwanted pregnancies,” she told the beneficiaries.
The school principal Lydia Andota thanked the organization for the initiative adding that it will offer a big relief to the beneficiaries who travel long distances to school.
“The support from GAP Kenya will enable these students to reach school in time, concentrate on their studies because they know they will reach home safely,” she said, adding that the initiative will also help in improving their performance.
Andota also said that female beneficiaries will also be protected from a section of boda boda operators who take advantage of them sexually.
Busia County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer Night Kimani said that the bicycle programme will help the Ministry to achieve its goal of 100 percent transition and retention of learners in school.
Kimani challenged the beneficiaries to be serious with their studies and ensure there is value for money that the sponsors have invested in them.
“At the end of it all, we will want to assess the impact of the bicycles on the performance of the learners, especially those transiting to form two, three and four,” she said.
Patrick Musumba of World bicycle relief, reiterated their support of 100 percent transition to ensure there are no dropouts among students.
“We are working in Siaya, Busia, Kisumu, Kakamega and Vihiga counties,” he said, adding that they are looking forward to expanding it to other counties.
Busia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang thanked the partners for supporting the learners adding that it is out of their love that they have done that.
Ojwang noted that organizations have come up with the initiative to protect the learners from a few disgruntled elements in the society who are out to destroy them.
“They want to ensure that you are given an opportunity to work hard towards pursuing that which you want to become in life,” he told the beneficiaries.
He urged them to work diligently in appreciation of what the donors have done, further challenging the local leaders to support such initiatives.
