On July 24, 2024, ActionAid International Kenya, in collaboration with Regis Runda Academy, handed over a newly constructed classroom and an ablution block to Paranae Primary School in Kajiado West Sub-County, Kajiado County. The new facilities, which include a classroom and an ablution block with six doors, were funded by contributions totaling KSH 1,500,000 raised by learners from Regis Runda Academy through the Big Me Campaign.
“This is a beautiful moment. When we first visited, there was only one classroom and a two-door ablution block shared by both teachers and students—boys and girls alike. Some learners had to study under trees or attend school in shifts because the existing facilities couldn’t accommodate everyone,” said Samson Orao, the Programmes and Strategy Lead at ActionAid International Kenya (AAIK).
“It was a significant challenge when boys and girls shared restrooms, especially regarding sanitation, hygiene, and meeting global standards.”
The BigMe Campaign was introduced at Regis Runda Academy in May 2022. By June, grade four, five, and six students had raised KSH 530,000. Robert Wafula, the Head of the Section for Upper Primary and Junior School at Regis Runda Academy, remarked, “It wasn’t easy convincing the learners and their parents to participate, as they had never done this before. However, over time, parents embraced the initiative. In 2023, we expanded the campaign from three classes to eight, and the learners raised KSH 1,500,000. Today, we celebrate the efforts of our students and parents in ensuring that the students of Paranae Primary School have a new classroom block and a six-door washroom block. It gives us a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, and we hope to see more children benefit from future projects.”
Wafula’s sentiments were echoed by Brian Kabii, a parent at Regis Runda Academy, who said,
“This is an awesome initiative, and it’s something I will continue supporting with even more passion. This is not something I would naturally have started, but with ActionAid, you see the direct impact of the collected funds on the community. This community needs significant investment in education. Raising awareness about the challenges different communities face can inspire genuine efforts to help one another, making Kenya a better country.”
Orao expressed AAIK’s appreciation for the Elangata-Wuas Ward community’s involvement in planning, procurement, and executing the project. He also commended the students of Regis Runda Academy for mobilizing their parents, relatives, and friends to raise the necessary funds. “We are witnessing meaningful changes in Kenya. If young children at Regis Runda Academy can mobilize resources and accomplish this, how much more can be done with public resources from our taxes? We must ensure accountability and sufficient investment in educational infrastructure to achieve long-term development goals as a country.”
ActionAid Kenya has partnered with Regis Runda Academy and other schools in the Nairobi metropolis for this campaign, with plans to expand it nationwide.
Author: Mary Consolata Makokha, Communications Officer ActionAid Kenya
Edited by Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.