Nairobi,Kenya
Jubilee Insurance on Wednesday prized the Jubilee Insurance Samaritan Award (JISA) to Baraka Rimba Kahindi, a ten year old boy, for his innovation in rescuing flood victims in Malindi.
During the rainy season in May when floods were a menace in the country leaving many people marooned and homeless, the class three pupil of Kavinyalalo Primary School joined together old wooden doors to make a makeshift raft and using a stick for an oar, helped evacuate his marooned villagers to safety.
“This is a rare show of innovative thinking that Jubilee Insurance is happy to recognize,” said Patrick Tumbo, Jubilee Insurance Kenya CEO.
“At his young age, Baraka challenges all of us to be the problem solvers rather than seat back and wait for solutions. We can borrow a lot from his act,” added Mr Tumbo who was addressing journalists at Hilton Hotel.
The JISA award recognizes ordinary Kenyans doing outstanding acts of charity and selflessly helping to hack challenges facing the community around them.
In May, Galana River running across Malindi County burst its banks, sweeping away homes and property. As people waited for help from well-wishers, Baraka was working tirelessly to evacuate the 12 households of the marooned Kaziani Village with his makeshift boat.
This gave the Red Cross Society an easy time in conducting evacuation process in the region for it shortened the time of the process because many people could not swim.
“I saw the difficult situation and all I could think of was coming up with ways to help the victims,” says a buoyant Baraka. Baraka’s Headteacher Mr Simeon Nzai calls Baraka a “humble and disciplined pupil” with a knack to excel in future.
“Despite his humble background, Baraka is quite preserving even in school. With his creative mind, he has the potential to excel in future,” says Mr Nzai.
The writer is a Communication and Journalism Student, Moi University
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