A Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) programme has provided school uniforms to 2,911 learners in public schools across Nairobi County.
The initiative targets children from low-income families, especially those living in informal settlements.
For Winnie Adoyo, the support has eased a major burden. The Baba Dogo resident is a single mother of three children.
Adoyo said she often struggled to provide school uniforms while also meeting her family’s basic needs.
“I have three children in school, and I have never been able to buy a full uniform for all of them at once,” she said.
Her three children attend MM Chandaria Comprehensive School in Ruaraka Sub-County. They are among the learners who have received uniforms through the SHOFCO programme.
SHOFCO targets 10,000 learners
So far, SHOFCO has distributed uniforms to 2,911 primary and junior school learners.
The programme covers 12 public schools in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Overall, SHOFCO aims to reach 10,000 learners in eight counties across Kenya.
In addition to uniforms, the programme provides underwear for boys and girls. Girls also receive sanitary towels.
SHOFCO public schools partnership officer John Okwako said the programme aims to ensure that children do not miss school because they lack uniforms.
He explained that many families face a difficult choice between buying school uniforms and paying for food or rent.
“No child should be left out of school because they do not have a school uniform,” Okwako said.
According to Okwako, teachers helped identify learners who needed the support most. They focused on children whose attendance had suffered because they lacked proper uniforms.
325 learners benefit at MM Chandaria
At MM Chandaria Comprehensive School, 325 learners received uniforms through the programme.
Headteacher Eunice Koini said some pupils previously attended classes in home clothes because their parents could not afford uniforms.
She noted that this sometimes made the children feel different from their classmates.
Some learners were also teased because of their clothing. As a result, their confidence and willingness to attend school could suffer.
Koini welcomed SHOFCO’s intervention and said the support would make a difference to affected families.
“It may look like a small intervention, but to these children and their families, it means a lot,” she said.
180 learners receive uniforms in Kasarani
Meanwhile, 180 learners at Chemichemi Comprehensive School in Kasarani Sub-County also received uniforms.
The school serves children from Mwengenye informal settlement. Headteacher David Waweru said many families in the area struggle financially.
Waweru described school uniforms as an equaliser among learners.
He said having children dressed appropriately helps reduce visible differences between those from families that can afford uniforms and those that cannot.
As a result, learners can focus more on their studies instead of worrying about their appearance.
Teachers highlight challenges facing families
Naomi Kuria, a Teachers Service Commission curriculum support officer for Ruaraka Sub-County, said many parents struggle to meet their families’ daily needs.
For many households, food and rent come before school uniforms.
Kuria said some learners had been attending school in old or torn clothes. She added that this could affect their confidence and attendance.
Besides uniforms, SHOFCO has supported schools in the area with sanitation improvements and ICT laboratory equipment.
Kuria said the projects were helping create better learning environments for children.
Odede explains why SHOFCO supports learners
SHOFCO founder and chief executive Dr Kennedy Odede said his own childhood experiences influenced the organisation’s decision to support school uniforms.
Odede grew up in Kibera and said he understood how a lack of basic needs could limit a child’s opportunities.
He explained that a school uniform can give children dignity and a sense of belonging.
“A uniform is not just a piece of clothing. It gives a child dignity, a sense of belonging and the confidence to sit in a classroom alongside other children,” Odede said.
Mother says support has reduced her burden
For Adoyo, the programme has provided more than school uniforms.
She said her children are now happier and more confident when going to school.
The support has also reduced the financial pressure on her family.
“As a mother, a big burden has been lifted from my shoulders,” Adoyo said.
She added that she can now focus more on providing food and meeting other basic needs for her three children.
