A sense of euphoria hang over the Sweetwaters and Loise Girls Secondary Schools following their Annual Prize Giving Day. A few weeks ago, the institutions were celebrating their exceptional performance in Kenya's National Examinations.

Students of Sweetwaters Secondary School were upbeat as they were awarded with trophies and certificates for excelling in various subjects. The Guest of Honour, Laikipia East Member of Parliament, the Honorable Mwangi Kiunjuri, urged students to concentrate on their education.

The Honorable Mwangi Kiunjuri presents a trophy to the A student at Sweetwaters Secondary School for Best Performing Class.

Ol Pejeta’s Community Outreach Manager, Mr. Paul Leringato, praised the school’s administration for its performance. In recognizing the efforts made by teachers, parents and students of Sweetwaters, he challenged them to produce even better results in this year’s National Examinations. 

During the ceremony, the school’s Board of Governors announced their intention to convert Sweetwaters from a day to a boarding school.  The news generated excitement and a lot of hope for the future of the children in the area. A boarding school would raise the quality of education and allow them to perform even better by increasing the number of contact hours between teacher and student. A fundraising meeting was scheduled for November 12^th, 2011 at the school; proceeds of which will go towards the construction of two dormitories for girls and boys. The local council also pledged to build the principal’s house.

A green house that is being set up at the school is almost complete. This will enhance food sufficiency by providing a steady source of vegetables to feed 244 students. In the long run, the school will be able to save on costs by supplement its kitchen with fresh produces. 

At Loise Girls Secondary School, parents, teachers and students were in a jovial mood ahead of the awards ceremony. The school, that had sat for its first-ever National Examinations, emerged third in Rift Valley Province. District Education Officer, Laikipia East, Mr. Sheikh Mohammed, congratulated the school’s community for their splendid performance. He reiterated that education was the most important investment to a child. “I challenge parents to invest in educating their children through local schools. This is because a school is there to improve the society,” he added.

Students proudly posing with their trophy after the ceremony.

Community Representative, Mr David Mathenge, said that the assistance provided by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Project Kenya Sister Schools through the Bursary Fund was a true blessing. He expressed his gratitude saying that students will now be able to learn in a more productive environment. 

If you would like to support Ol Pejeta's community-based initiatives please email our Community Outreach Manager, Mr. Paul Leringato on community@olpejetaconservancy.org