Girl-Child Education Project makes Impact in Nyariga Community

Nyariga (U/E), Feb. 17, GNA - A Girl Child Education project initiated by the Nyariga-Donne Mothers Club, an association of women basket weavers at Nyariga-Doone, is yielding positive results. The Project, which begun in 1998, led to the establishment of a girls' primary school that year and in 2005 the school enrolment increased. There was therefore the need for continuity which led to the establishment of a Junior High School named after the Nyariga-Doone community

The Coordinator of the Club, Mr. John Akaribo, said in a statement that the Nyariga Donne Mothers' Club was just a group of women who decided to take care of the community's borehole in 1990. At a point the group wanted to operate an account with one of the banks but they were refused because bank officials said the executives were illiterates and could not be allowed to thumbprint to access any loan facility.

Mr. Akaribo said the actions of the bank officials infuriated the members of the Nyariga Donne Mothers Club and this moved them to contribute to the development of a girls' school in 1998.

Mr. Akaribo said in 2005 the Club foresaw the need to establish a Junior High School and were fortunate to have Madam Theresa Wilson of Blessing Basket Project (BBP) of the United States who supported them with the construction of a three-unit classroom block, office and store. He said the she provided a borehole for the School and roofed a craft centre for the club to enable them transact their basket business. Mr Akaribo said the Club had plans to establish a modern craft and vocational centre to train people to produce straw, baskets, Batik tie and dye, soap and pomade.