Absa Bank kicks off school donations drive to 46 special needs schools
Absa Bank Kenya has kicked off a countrywide initiative that will support 46 special needs schools with repurposed school bags and reusable masks.
In alignment with the bank’s Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship Agenda, the bank will be donating over 4,000 school bags and 20,000 reusable face masks countrywide.
“Education and Skills is one of the strategic pillars of our citizenship agenda and as a purpose-led institution, we are determined to invest in the education and well-being of generations to come. Given the different challenges that teachers and students continue to face due to Covid-19, we are providing necessities such as face masks and school bags to ease the challenges and ensure that learning goes on uninterrupted,” said Jeremy Awori, Absa Bank Managing Director.
Also attending the kick-off event, the Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof. George Magoha received the first batch of masks and repurposed school bags on behalf of Joseph Kangethe Primary School in Kibera. The masks will be distributed to students for safe learning.
Speaking during the handover event at Joseph Kangethe school, Absa’s Managing Director Jeremy Awori re-affirmed the bank’s commitment to help alleviate socio-economic challenges that communities face due to the effects of Covid-19 pandemic. He emphasised the importance of uplifting disadvantaged families and communities through investing in education as an opportunity enabler and tool for positive change.
In line with the bank’s sustainable business practices, the bags donated were made from repurposed billboard flexis obtained during Absa’s rebranding process, saving the environment up to 3,000 tons of plastic waste. Moreover, the reusable face masks were produced through Absa’s partnership with the Bombululu Association of Persons with Disabilities Cultural Centre under the Diversity and Inclusion Agenda.
Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha thanked Absa for their contribution to the education pillar and called upon more organisations to invest in social and education programmes that help schools to mitigate challenges presented by the pandemic.
“The Ministry of Education appreciates the support from Absa, both during the period of remote learning and the phased reopening of schools. We are optimistic that these initiatives and investments will help in the growth and development of underprivileged and differently abled children who need a lot of support from like-minded organisations and individuals.
This donation will go a long way in mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus and in contributing towards protecting the entire community as we slowly regain normalcy,” Professor Magoha said when receiving the donations. Absa has also partnered with the Higher Education and Loans Board (HELB) to provide scholarship opportunities to over 500 disadvantaged students in 56 local universities.
The bank has further invested in programmes that equip learners with the necessary skills required in the future under the Ready to Work Programme benefitting over 170,000 learners. Absa also refurbished over 3,000 computers, in partnership Computer For Schools Kenya (CFSK) which will be donated to 66 schools across the country this year as well as fruit trees to supplement the pupils diet, a need that has been brought to the fore by this pandemic.
