In a collaborative effort to enhance child well-being and education, Bata Shoe Kenya PLC has donated 355 pairs of school shoes to students of Chepseon and Belbur Primary Schools in Salgaa, Nakuru County. This contribution, made through World Vision Kenya’s Gifts-in-Kind (GIK) initiative, provides a crucial boost to child well-being.
Chepseon Primary School, founded in 2013 to address the rising number of child fatalities caused by road accidents along the busy Nakuru-Eldoret Highway, has grown from a small Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) into an institution that currently accommodates 747 learners (389 boys and 358 girls), many of whom come from extremely vulnerable backgrounds.
A substantial number of students face daily hardships, including food insecurity, lack of parental care, exposure to abuse, and homelessness. The school has become a safe haven, working with local authorities to rescue and support children in need. Similarly, Belbur Primary School, founded in 1983, serves 1,027 learners (534 boys, 493 girls) and is the only primary learning center within a two-kilometer radius, offering quality education and stability to children from the densely populated Salgaa community.
The donation of school shoes is a crucial intervention in enhancing the well-being of these children by improving their comfort, self esteem, and ability to attend school regularly. It aligns with the broader objectives of the Inuka Angaza Fund, World Vision Kenya’s local resource development initiative, which seeks to mobilise local resources to support transformative projects benefiting vulnerable children and their communities.
> 7 Hacks Kenyan Gen Zs are Using to Make Money Online
“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 Mr Gilbert Kamanga, National Director, World Vision Kenya.
Bata Shoe Company Kenya, through the Bata Children’s Program (BCP), says it is committed to empowering children by supporting education, health, and community development. Since its inception in 2011, the BCP has positively impacted over 400,000 children worldwide. In 2024 alone, Bata Kenya reached over 5,000 children, donating more than 3,000 pairs of shoes, sanitary towels, and educational materials to enhance learning conditions in schools across the country.
“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 Mr Benson Okumu, Managing Director at Bata Shoe Kenya PLC.
Mr John Ngoru, Regional Human Resource Director Africa and Middle East, Bata, emphasised, “Education is a fundamental right, and every child deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive without barriers. 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.”
> Shortage of Surgeons causing Deaths for Millions of Patients
Leave a comment