Britam Foundation Partners With Davis And Shirtliff To Enhance Early Childhood Education In Kenya

Britam Foundation has partnered with Davis & Shirtliff’s Improving Lives Initiative to rehabilitate boreholes and install solar-powered pumps and panels in 21 primary schools across the country.

This initiative, part of Britam Foundation’s Lea Salama initiative, aims to provide clean water through providing solar pumps to schools that are not connected to the national grid, or face hurdles with accessing clean water. The focus is on underserved regions in 13 counties, including, Busia, Embu, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kisumu, Lamu, Machakos, Meru, Nakuru, Tharaka Nithi, West Pokot, and Bungoma.

Access to clean water and electricity remains a significant challenge for many schools in Kenya, particularly in rural and remote areas. According to the presidential working party on education reform, 82% of public primary schools are connected to the national power grid, while 1 in 3 schools in Kenya, still lack access to safe water. The partnership between Britam Foundation and Davis & Shirtliff addresses these gaps by providing sustainable solutions that enhance the learning environment for young children.

Additionally, the initiative aims to offer financial literacy education to both the school and the surrounding community, while also improving waste management practices. Through a partnership, the Foundation will work to transform waste into wealth in the long term, benefiting young learners by empowering them financially in a sustainable way.

This will help them meet essential school needs such as uniforms and books. Speaking on the initiative, Britam Foundation and Investor Relations Director Catherine Karita said, “Our commitment through the Lea Salama initiative is to address the critical needs in early childhood education. By providing clean water, we are not just improving the physical infrastructure of schools, but we are also fostering an environment where children can thrive academically and socially. This project is a significant step towards achieving our broader goal of supporting the holistic development of children across Kenya.”

Davis & Shirtliff, a leading provider of water and energy solutions in the region, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in driving sustainable development. “We are proud to collaborate with Britam Foundation on this impactful project. By leveraging our expertise in water and solar energy, we can provide sustainable solutions that directly benefit communities and contribute to the improvement of education in Kenya,” said Edward Davis, the Managing Director of Davis & Shirtliff.

This month, as part of the Lea Salama initiative, Britam Foundation, in partnership with Davis & Shirtliff and the Rotary Club of Kitengela, completed a borehole drilling and solarization project at Olmapinu Comprehensive School in Rombo, Kajiado County. This effort is aimed at providing sustainable water solutions to the school and its surrounding community.

In addition to the clean water project, the Lea Salama initiative is focused on broader areas critical to optimal child development, maternal health, and parental education. By aligning its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 4 (Quality Education), Britam Foundation aims to create effective support systems that promote healthy child development, strengthen familial bonds, and nurture a supportive community network.

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