Building Schools to Make Dreams Come True
By Martin Muluka11-year-old Lesokona follows a mathematics lesson in class with a smile and exchanges gleeful glances with her neighbour. They are in a newly constructed classroom at their school in Turkana County, Kenya, a place that faces numerous development problems.
“Thank you, World Vision, for building this classroom for us. Learning is now fun because we finally have good desks and a spacious classroom,” says Lesokona.
While implementing development projects in the area, this classroom being part of the infrastructural improvements, World Vision also empowers children to become peacebuilders. In addition to classrooms, World Vision also constructs toilets, science laboratories, provides equipment and school supplies that are benefitting children at the Kakuma Refugee Camp and those from the local Turkana community.
“Our school infrastructure was poor before World Vision intervened. The children and the community are happy now because learning takes place in a conducive environment unlike before when we were forced to learn under trees. The project has resulted in improved education outcomes, and has enhanced enrolment, attendance and retention of children in schools. These have resulted in students being better able to focus on education,” says Ezekiel, the school’s head teacher.
Besides the improved school infrastructure, World Vision also seeks to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence by empowering them to become peacebuilders.
“Now, I enjoy coming to school. I am happy because my dream of becoming a teacher will come true because of this good learning environment,” says Lesokona.