Ngoswe Agape Academy appeal for access to clean water

By Saitoti Karande 

Ngoswe Academy lies seven kilometers from Marigat Township in Baringo County, a journey through rough road adjacent to the infamous Perkerra Irrigation Scheme. Behind the success and initiation of the extraordinary school in the sub county is Perkerra Maungano women group.

The group was started as a merry-go –round commonly known as charma aimed to accelerate their income levels through membership contribution in 1993.To keep the project going, they decided to acquire land for cultivation through Perkerra Irrigation scheme manager. They were given 3 acres of land for cultivation within the scheme in 1994.They began farming, bound by the groups’ bylaws they decided to use half of their total income for their individual needs and saved the remaining money in their bank account.

Chairlady of Perkerra Maungano Women Group Ann Tungo with pupils of Ngoswe Agape Academy, Marigat outside the school gate. Photo/MERCY GAKII  /NMG
 
Seven years later, they agreed to construct their own school, they felt the need to have a school in the vicinity to promote education in the area since the nearest school is located 4 Kilometers away. This was one of the challenges the school going children faced due to the extreme weather conditions in Marigat and floods during rainy seasons which hinder most them from attending classes. To address all these huddles, Ngoswe Agape Academy was born by this women group whose oldest member is 70 years old.

“We constructed one class in the year 2003, this proceeded every year until now that we have seven classes as a result of farming,” Says Alice Tungo, Chairlady of the group.

In 2009, they borrowed Kshs 50,000 from Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT), they constructed standard 5 classes. After refunding they borrowed a total of 100,000 from the same kitty and constructed standard 6 Classes.

The school has nine classrooms with nine teachers, a cook and a watchman. Alice says they are able to pay their staff from the school fees they collect.

“The school feeding program has benefitted our children because some families in this area cannot afford to get three meals per day, the parents also feel that the burden of feeding their children during lunch time has been eased,” Says Esther the groups’ secretary.

She further explains that feeding the children in school has not only motivated the children but has also created an enabling environment in school since they cannot concentrate on an empty stomach.

Though Perkerra Maungano Women group have seen their dream for educating their grand children come true, the major challenge they face is lack of access to clean water in school. They transport water all the way from Marigat which is costly and sometimes are forced to use water from canal.
 

“Children are exposed to waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid and amoeba, this has also led to poor class attendance, we therefore appeal to well-wishers and stakeholders to see if we can get piped water from Marigat town,” Says Alison Olekusele, the school headmaster.

The school has a population of 250 children and is anticipating to get more this year as the schools open in January. Out of the 40 members of the group 10 of them have their grand children in the school. They plan to construct more classes, buy more furniture, increase teaching staff and put up a permanent fence.