Some 602 school-going children in Mathare Sub-County, who were affected by flash floods in May and June this year, have a reason to smile after Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) gave them uniform.

The students from seven public schools in the area were given shoes, and two pairs of uniforms each to wear after schools reopened for third term.

“SHOFCO’s mission is all about building promise from poverty. Today, more than 600 students have received uniforms to give them dignity and allow them to be in school to learn,” SHOFCO Chief Strategy Officer Mark Laichena said.

Mr. Laichena said the organization works with communities at the grassroots to ensure that they receive essential services for their survival.

“Our work is about engaging with the communities holistically. Many of the children we are giving uniforms today are from families that were affected by floods mid this year. We also supported the families with food and medicine during that period,” he stated.

He further said the organization is aiming to support 50,000 needy children in the coming years in partnership with the government.

Former Education Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Sarah Ruto, who was the chief guest during the event, lauded SHOFCO’s work in the education sector saying it has helped children from underprivileged communities to access education.

“SHOFCO is addressing some of the problems we have had in policy implementation since Kenya got independence. Giving children uniform is the first step in the provision of education because it helps them have dignity,” Dr Ruto said. “We should not have our children go to school in torn uniform as I saw some of the students here today. Thank you SHOFCO for giving them uniform.”

On her part, Nairobi Region Director of Education Dr. Margaret Lesuda said giving students good uniform raises their confidence and allow them to study well.

“Giving our children new uniform raises their hope in education. We know that most of these children were affected by floods and many other challenges in slums. Thank you SHOFCO for coming to their rescue. We are ready to partner with you as government,” she said.

Mary Magoha, whose child benefitted from the uniform donation, said she lost all her belongings to floods.

“All my household items including school uniforms and books were swept away by floods. I want to sincerely thank SHOFCO because immediately we experienced the floods, they brought us food, bedding and medicine. They also assisted us to move to safer grounds. My two children have gotten uniform today and they will go school happy,” Mary said.

Another beneficiary David Ochieng, a resident of Mathare, thanked SHOFCO for the donation.

“I have never seen an organization like SHOFCO. The organization is still with us to date even three months after the floods to ensure that we get all the things we need to survive. My two children have gotten school uniform enough to take them for more than two years,” Ochieng said.

During the floods, the organization reached over 20,000 victims with essential services.

SHOFCO’s Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede is a strong supporter of education and his organization currently runs two schools in Nairobi.

The organization is also sponsoring thousands of needy students across Kenya.

In the next five years, the SHOFCO seeks to reach over 500,000 needy students through scholarships and other activities.