Over the past year and a half, a remarkable journey unfolded at the Maramba Tea Farm Nursery School in Tigoni, driven by the unwavering dedication of Strathmore University student leaders. This project, which began as a simple inquiry into the community’s needs, blossomed into a life-changing initiative that has touched the lives of many.
Maramba Nursery School, established by Menengai Famers Limited to provide essential education for their children while they worked. Initially, the school served 30 babies but now it serves around 60 babies aged from a few months to five years, courtesy of the Strathmore University’s initiative. The school’s mission is to ensure these young minds receive the foundational education they deserve in a nurturing environment. However, the realities of life in Tigoni, with its chilly climate and limited resources, posed significant challenges.
My introduction to Maramba came through Michael and Ruby from the Mentoring Department. While participating in a retreat at the Tigoni Study Center, I was struck by the potential of this community school. With the approval of our Community Service Center director, I set out to address the pressing needs of the nursery school.
The first challenge we noticed was the lack of proper sanitation facilities. With our students’ help, we constructed two toilets and small knee-high sinks, a significant improvement for both the children and their families. Additionally, we contacted Kimlea, a sister college to Strathmore University, which had been providing milk to the nursery. This partnership opened our eyes to further necessities: the children needed a comfortable resting space.
Thanks to the generous donation of 20 large mattresses from a Strathmore parent, we ensured that the little ones had a warm place to nap during the cold afternoons. To address the chilling floors, we partnered with Color Tunes, who provided us with used billboards to act as insulation.
Our commitment to improving the nursery school didn’t stop there. Recognizing the need for a proper dining area, we reached out to Warren Concrete, who generously donated paving slabs for the dining space and the path to the toilets. Their skilled laborers guided us through the construction process, ensuring the work was done efficiently and effectively.
Kansai Plascon Ltd. stepped in with discounted paint and even donated two 1000-liter tanks for the toilets, further enhancing the sanitation facilities. The culmination of these efforts not only renovated the nursery school but also improved the community toilets and bathrooms, serving over 300 families on the tea farm.
Our Strathmore University student leaders demonstrated incredible persistence and dedication throughout this journey. Each challenge we faced was met with unwavering determination and creativity, driven by the desire to uplift the Maramba community. This initiative transformed the nursery school and strengthened the bond between Strathmore University and the Maramba community, creating a legacy of support and collaboration.
As we look back on this journey, we are reminded that true change comes from collective effort and a commitment to serving others. The smiles on the children’s faces at Maramba Nursery School are a testament to what can be achieved when we come together with purpose and passion. This experience has not only changed the lives of the children but has also enriched our student leaders’ lives, reminding them of the power of community and the impact we can have when we work together.
Article written by Arnold Jude
