Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects 2012/2013: Grant Contract Signing Ceremony for The Project for the Rehabilitation of Mbiri Primary School

October 1, 2012

Title	Grant Contract Signing Ceremony for The Project for the Rehabilitation of Mbiri Primary School
Date	1 October 2012
Location	Murang’a Township Location, Kiharu Division, Murang’a East District, Murang’a County, Central Province
Project title	The Project for the Rehabilitation of Mbiri Primary School
Amount	US$ 117,137 (approx. Kshs 9 Million)
Attendance	H. E. Mr. Toshihisa Takata, The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kenya Hon. Mr. B. C. Muturi Mwangi, Member of Parliament for Kiharu Representatives of the County and the District Representatives of the Education Offices in the County and the District Chairperson Mr. Godfrey Mwangi Runo and members of Management Committee of Mbiri Primary School Teachers, Pupils, Parents and Alumni of Mbiri Primary School and Community people About 500 people in total
Main Activity	A Grant Contract for the Project for the Rehabilitation of Mbiri Primary School was signed between the Ambassador Mr. Toshihisa Takata and Mr. Godfrey Mwangi Runo, the Chairperson of the School Management Committee, at a Grant Contract Signing ceremony held at the Mbiri Primary School in Murang’a Township Location, Kiharu Division. 　Mbiri Primary School, established in 1916 and located in the poorest part of Murang’a Township Location is one of the six public integrated primary schools in the Murang’a East District which provide primary education as well as special education for the mentally challenged. In recent years, the school has been on an upward trend in academic performance but it has been suffering due to dilapidated school facilities. Most of the classrooms have problems such as leaky roofs, weak walls and cracked floors and the latrine block is almost collapsing. The construction of a dormitory for the mentally challenged has stalled due to lack of funds. To provide the pupils better learning environment, the grant will be used to renovate the 16 classrooms, complete the dormitory construction, construct an ablution block and purchase furniture and water tanks. At the ceremony, entertainment by the pupils was performed followed by speeches from the representatives of the school and the guests to express their gratitude to the Government and the People of Japan: The Chairperson, Mr. Runo stated that through the project, the school would be able to make a greater impact on the development of the local community. The TSC County Director promised to post more teachers to the school on completion of the project. The area MP Hon. Mwangi, having teaching background, stated that adequate educational facilities are conducive to quality education. 　The Ambassador Takata in his speech first congratulated the school on receiving the Grant and wished the successful completion of the project in cooperation with the people and the Government Authorities in the area, citing the school’s motto “Together We Succeed”. He also referred to the coming election and said, “Kenya is capable of rising high and moving forward. The international community is looking forward to a free, fair and peaceful election to make this possible.”

Photographs

Ambassador and guests enjoying watching the drama performed by pupils

Ambassador giving his speech

Ambassador exchanging the Grant Contract with Mr. Runo as Hon. Mwangi (left) witnesses the event

Ambassador viewing the classrooms to be renovated

Inside the dormitory for the mentally challenged stalled in construction

Pit latrine block in danger of collapsing