Israel donates goodies to city school on independence day

Israeli Ambassador to Kenya Yahel Vilan opens a refurbished library at Star of Hope School in Lunga Lunga slums in Industrial Area in Nairobi on May 12, 2017 during celebrations of its 69th Independence Day. PHOTO | LILIAN MUTAVI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Embassy to help the people in the slum to bridge the technology gap by use of computers.
  • Nicholas Juma of Uzima Aid said that the school got support after a proposal was sent to the embassy.
  • He said it was saddening to see children in Nairobi, especially in slums, still using pit latrines.

The Israeli government has donated goodies to Star of Hope School in Lunga Lunga slums in Industrial Area in Nairobi during celebrations of its 69th Independence Day.

The school benefitted from projects ranging from the refurbishing of its library, a new ablution block and a greenhouse, all at a cost of Sh1 million.

Speaking during the celebrations, Israeli Ambassador to Kenya Yahel Vilan said both countries have much in common since they largely rely on human resources for development.

Mr Vilan said that unlike other countries that have immense natural resources, Kenya and Israel only have man power to rely on.

HUMAN RESOURCES

“Between Israel and Kenya we have to…base our development and future on human resources. Our neighbours have oil and in Kenya, your neighbours have diamond, gold and cocoa. All we have is you (students) to take this country forward,” he said.

He said the embassy will help the people in the slum to bridge the technology gap by use of the computers they donated.

Speaking at the same forum, Nicholas Juma, the coordinator of Uzima Aid, a non-governmental organization, said that the school got support after a proposal was sent to the embassy seeking help for the projects.

He said it was saddening to see children in Nairobi, especially in slums, still using pit latrines in the 21st century.

“It is unfair and I hope more people in the private sectors will partner with schools to face out latrines,” said Mr Juma.