By Betty Luke
A Non-Governmental Organisation has warmed the hearts of Mwangaza residents in Isiolo after building a rescue centre for girls going through parental neglect, child labour and sexual exploitation.
The facility, whose construction was funded by Child Fund Kenya in partnership with Nawiri Child Development Programme, is established within Mwangaza Primary School compound and will accommodate more than 50 girls rescued from the vices.
Isiolo Sub-County Director of Education Mr John Nzinga said the facility came in handy when the area continues to report several cases of abuse against learners occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic adding that it will boost teacher-learner interaction and ultimately improve performance in the school.
“We appreciate the kind gesture by the NGO for building a safe place for our girls,” said Mr Nzinga while asking the community to take pride and support the centre.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Sh4 million girls protection centre, Child Fund Upper Eastern Manager Mr Zack Lewanamuro said the organization was fully committed to ensuring quality education for vulnerable children.
“We are not stopping here, it is a beginning for all of us and we are committed to ensuring this centre is fully operational and of benefit to girls from this area,” Mr Lewanamuro assured.
Mr Lewanamuro pleaded with education stakeholders in the county to fully support vulnerable children achieve their dreams.
“If we fully support children to acquire quality education we shall have gone many miles into building a better society,” he said.
Some of the beds at the girls rescue centre at Mwangaza Primary School in Isiolo. BETTY LUKE/PRESS POINT
Nawiris Child Development program coordinator Mr John Leshalote lamented rising cases of girl child abuse in the area saying that the facility will also accommodate victims referred from neighbouring schools and areas.
Mr Leshalote said the organization will embark on consultative meetings with parents from the area to ensure they are fully involved in the running of the centre.
“Our aim and dream is to see that this facility assist girls subjected to sexual abuse, neglect and child labour to ensure they continue with their studies uninterrupted,” Mr Leshalote told The Press Point.
Gender activist-cum-politician Lucy Mworia appealed to the organisation to be adequately involving all community stakeholders while working on such projects for sustainability of the programs.
“Involving the community plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of community projects,” she said during an interview with The Press Point.
Ms Mworia, who also advocates for children access to quality education urged learners to report cases of abuse to adults and teachers they trust for legal action to be taken against the perpetrators.
Politician Lucy Mworia addresses girls at Mwangaza Primary School during commissioning of rescue centre at the school. BETTY LUKE/PRESS POINT
She said it was unfortunate that many learners were suffering abuse in the hands of relatives who should be protecting them and pleaded with teachers to be on the lookout for such cases for the safety of their children.
“If you have been passing through any kind of abuse report to your teachers, parents or an adult you can trust so that you are assisted,” Ms Mworia told learners in the school.
