By Sheila Ngigi
With the ongoing nationwide strike, it has been tough for students and pupils all over the country, Isinya and its environs included, to study. However, the Maarifa centre has turned out to be a safe haven for these children’s quest for knowledge. To state that the strike has affected them is an understatement especially the candidates who are counting less than three months to their final examinations.
With the ongoing nationwide strike, it has been tough for students and pupils all over the country, Isinya and its environs included, to study. However, the Maarifa centre has turned out to be a safe haven for these children’s quest for knowledge. To state that the strike has affected them is an understatement especially the candidates who are counting less than three months to their final examinations.
Stocked
with books on all subjects with relevant information for their studies, only
space has been a hindrance to these determined souls.
The children, both from
secondary and primary schools, trek many kilometres to come to the Maarifa centre seeking knowledge. At home, the children face the challenge of having to
carry out homely chores at the expense of their studies. Moreover, they face countless
distractions while they are at home making it difficult to concentrate. In
contrast, the Maarifa centre provides the environment and quiet that they need
and after some hours of study, they go back to help herding cattle and other
duties at home.
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| Part of the Maarifa centre's library |
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| Lemayian carrying water |
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| Lemayian grazing cattle |
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| Young girl working at home |
Meet
Immaculate Nemoipo, a form three student at eno matassia secondary school. At
17 years old of age, she has to take care of her younger brothers, clean and
cook all day long but at the Maarifa she finds a safe haven where she can study
for a few hours before embarking on her chores at home.
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| Immaculate studying at the Maarifa centre |
The
story is similar for Jason Lemayian, a class eight pupil at Isinya primary
school. He starts his studies at 8.30 am, when the Maarifa center opens until
11.30 when he goes and relieves his father off herding their cows, sheep and
goats before fetching water for the family. It is impossible to study effectively while walking and running after
the animals under the scorching sun and ghastly winds that are characteristic
of Isinya.
The
students and pupils are glad that they can find books that they need for
revision and grateful for the comfortable seats and furniture that they can use
for their studies. Though at times they have to be squeezed in the container
for each one to find some space, it is more than they could ever ask for.
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