Citywise group raise €20,000 to help pupils in Kenyan village
By Mary Dennehy
YOUNG people from Citywise in Jobstown, with the support of the local community, are providing educational opportunities to pupils in a small Kenyan village – by helping to fund and build classrooms.
This week, six young leaders from Citywise flew to Kenya and travelled to a local village called Bamba, where they plan to build two new classrooms onto the existing two-classroom school – and a shower block.
Their support will double the size of the school, opening up opportunities for local pupils.
In the past six months, around €20,000 has been raised by the Citywise team with the support of the local community and a group of young people in Poland and Italy – who are also part of the service project in Bamba.
Speaking with The Echo before they flew out on Monday, Christopher Smith, Citywise IT Manager, who accompanied the young people, along with two volunteers, said: “The idea to do a service trip was brought forward by a young member.
“Over recent months there has been a lot of community fundraising, bag-packing and personal fundraising by the young people.
“We have sent €8,000 over already to start contracting and get the foundations laid.
“When we arrive we will be working in tandem with local Kenyan people who have building experience.
“We’ll be in Kenya for three weeks and aim to build two classrooms onto a very basic school [in the village of Bamba].”
Creating opportunities for others
He added: “Citywise helps to create opportunities for its young people, so it’s great to see our members creating opportunities for others.
“This is going to be a life-changing experience for the young people going, and we hope that when they return they will encourage the next generation.”
Citywise hopes to continue its support of the school in Bamba in the future and anybody who would like to donate to the project is encouraged to contact Citywise Education on 4049736.
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