High illiteracy levels in most marginalized parts of the country have been blamed on varying reasons ranging from ignorance to lack of opportunities. But in a small village in East Pokot, Tanglubei division, one man is determined to see a future generation of educated and empowered individuals.
With the persistent drought and famine that has hit the area for the past two years, and the long distance to schools, children do not see the need to go to school while the men opt to abandon their families rather than watch them suffer in turmoil.
In a small, one roomed structure which serves as a church on Sundays and as an Early Childhood Centre for the rest of the week, one meets Robert Songul Kapcheptulel, 45, seated in the makeshift class waiting for his nine pupils to come back from their play break.
Robert looks ten years older than his actual age as a result of hardships he has experienced first hand. Despite the challenges he faces in the Tangulbei Division in East Baringo District, Robert is determined to end illiteracy in his community. He wants to give a chance to the young generation to evade a future generation of ignorance and illiterateracy.
“I studied upto to class seven. I had to run away from my home to attend school. My parents could not understand the need to go to school. I want a different kind of life for this young children”, Songul states full of optimism.
Songul moves from homestead to homestead trying to convince his fellow tribesmen to allow their children to go to school. He has taken the trouble to ensure that children enjoy their right to education. Robert earns a paltry Kshs. 1000 (approximately $ 12) a month as his salary which the parents contribute monthly.
Mr Songul commends the efforts of ActionAid International Kenya for their response in providing emergency relief foods in the area to help curb the situation.
The relief foods which benefited 20,736 people came in handy with a notable increased number of enrolments in Early Childhood Development schools in the area as children go to such centres expecting to have a day’s meal provided in the schools.
“I have received more than 10 children in the past two months after ActionAid started giving relief food to schools in the area. We have capitalized on the emergency relief food to encourage education as the pupils come for their daily rations”, he says with a wide smile.
ActionAid has been responding to the famine that has hit the expansive Tangulbei Division in East Baringo District with relief food, seeds for planting as well as rehabilitating boreholes. ActionAid identified school going children as a vulnerable group hence providing food relief through school feeding programmes.