The Victoria Friendly Montessori Project Director Tom Odhiambo speaks during the stakeholders meeting in Marindi, Homa Bay Town constituency/Robert Omollo
More than 380 children from vulnerable families in Suba North Constituency have been enrolled in school to continue pursuing their academic dreams.
Children who were on the verge of dropping out, as well as some who had already dropped out due to economic hardships, returned to school through the support of the Victoria Friendly Montessori Project.
The project, which began about 10 years ago, has enabled more than 1,200 children to benefit from education.
A stakeholder presents a programme during their workshop in Marindi, Homa Bay Town constituency/Robert Omollo
He said most of the children they are supporting had abandoned school because of financial difficulties.
"The project was started with the sole aim of transforming the lives of bright but needy children through education in the Rusinga area. We realised that taking them back to school is the best way to empower them for the future," Odhiambo said.
Speaking during a school stakeholders' capacity-building meeting at Marindi in Homa Bay Town Constituency, the director said they are starting a technical youth resource centre to accommodate students who do not attain the grades required for university admission.
Suba North is a constituency with more than three islands surrounded by Lake Victoria, including Rusinga, in Homa Bay County.
The other islands are Mfangano, Kibuogi, Ringiti, Remba and Takawiri.
The main economic activity in the area is fishing.
Odhiambo said some children had dropped out of school to engage in fishing to earn a living.
"Currently, we have more than 25 students who have attained grades for direct university entry. The remaining students will join technical institutions to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to become job creators and improve people's lives," he said.
Most vulnerable children receive support through payment of 60 per cent of their total school fees.
According to the project's community coordinator, Jacklyn Atieno, the organisation also has an initiative aimed at improving the living standards of residents.
There is a water project that has connected more than 330 households to clean and safe water.
The water is also used to support the cultivation of food crops, with many women using it for kitchen gardening.
"Through the water project, we have made efforts to reduce waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Food security has also improved because of the irrigation they undertake," Atieno said.
The project has also supported vulnerable families by constructing 10 houses and renovating five others.
Free sexual and reproductive health talks are organised for adolescent girls and boys at beaches around Rusinga Island to sensitise them about HIV infections and teenage pregnancies.
"Good moral values are instilled in them while they are still young. We are appealing for continued collaboration and support from the community," she said.
