By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
The Rotary Club of Busia, in partnership with Oxford University Press East Africa Ltd, has donated over 14,000 textbooks to 16 primary and secondary schools across Busia County in a major boost to education.
The beneficiary schools include Siwongo Primary School (1,000 books), Esirisia Secondary School (1,500), Budokomi Secondary School (1,500), St. Paul’s Amukura High School (1,000), and St. Jacobs Kaliwa Secondary School (1,500), among others.
Outgoing Rotary Club President Shilla Bochaberi said the donation targeted schools with little or no library resources and prioritized those with title deeds to ensure accountability.
“Our selection focused on schools without libraries or with poorly equipped ones. The aim is to ensure deserving learners access critical learning tools,” Bochaberi said during the handover ceremony.
She added that the initiative was a response to the many challenges facing Kenya’s education sector and reaffirmed the club’s commitment to empowering future generations.
“Education shapes the future. Providing learning materials gives these children a fair chance at success,” she said.
Incoming club president nominee Sarah Marth echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the club’s mission to transform communities through education.
“This initiative will make a lasting impact. Access to textbooks will directly improve learners’ academic performance and broaden their knowledge base,” she said.
Marth noted that during the distribution exercise, the team identified other urgent needs in the schools, including stationery and uniforms, which the club intends to address in future support programs.
“We’ve seen the smiles these books brought. We’ve also taken note of additional needs and will walk with these schools to meet them, step by step,” she added.
Teachers welcomed the donation, describing it as a timely intervention. Judith Shile, a teacher at Esirisia Secondary School, said textbook shortages had made teaching and learning difficult.
“These books will ease our work. Previously, students had to share limited textbooks, which affected their studies. This support will definitely improve our results,” Shile said.
Her colleague, Abraham Wabwoba, called on more organizations and well-wishers to support schools with essential learning materials.
“Besides academics, the life skills books donated will help in character development. Our learners will now grow holistically,” he noted.
Students were equally excited. Joyce Egesa, a student at Esirisia Secondary School, praised the initiative, saying it would greatly enhance their revision and preparation.
“We now have the books we need. This will help us study better, revise effectively, and improve our performance. We are truly grateful,” she said.
