Airtel Money Kenya, through the Airtel Africa Foundation, has partnered with ChildFund Kenya to launch a KSh 12.7 million infrastructure project at Garissa School for the Deaf aimed at improving access to inclusive education and digital learning opportunities.
The project, implemented under the Building Brighter Futures initiative, will see the construction of four new classrooms to accommodate the school’s growing student population and an ICT centre to equip learners with digital skills.
The investment will also support improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, creating a safer and more conducive learning environment for children with hearing impairments.
The planned facilities include separate toilet and bathroom blocks for boys and girls, an extension of the school’s water pipeline, and an elevated water tower fitted with a 20,000-litre storage tank.
A 20-point handwashing station will also be installed to promote hygiene, alongside a separate two-door sanitation facility for teachers.
Speaking during the launch, Airtel Money Kenya Acting Managing Director Bonke Michael said the investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to expanding access to quality education, particularly for learners with disabilities.
“Our commitment with this project goes beyond infrastructure; it is about creating a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and pursue their dreams. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education and the tools they need to realise their full potential,” said Michael.
Over 2,000 Learners to Benefit from KSh 62 Million Initiative
The Garissa project is part of the broader KSh 62 million Building Brighter Futures initiative, which is expected to benefit more than 2,000 learners across four public schools in Baringo, Garissa and Wajir counties.
The programme was first rolled out in Baringo County, where KSh 37 million was allocated to improve classrooms and WASH infrastructure at Marigat Integrated Day and Boarding Primary School and Marigat Special School for the Visually Impaired.
The initiative focuses on addressing infrastructure gaps in public schools, particularly those serving learners with special educational needs.
Garissa County Curriculum Support Officer for Special Needs Education, Fatuma Omar, welcomed the investment, noting that adequate learning facilities play an important role in ensuring children with disabilities can participate fully in education.
“This is about creating opportunities, promoting inclusion and investing in the future of our learners. As a Curriculum Support Officer in Special Needs Education, I recognise that a conducive learning environment is essential to effective curriculum implementation and ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Omar.
The partnership between Airtel Money Kenya, the Airtel Africa Foundation and ChildFund Kenya seeks to strengthen inclusive education by addressing infrastructure challenges that can limit learning opportunities for children with disabilities.
Beyond improving classroom capacity and sanitation, the planned ICT centre is expected to provide learners at Garissa School for the Deaf with greater exposure to digital technologies, helping them acquire skills increasingly required in education and the workplace.
The investment also forms part of broader efforts to improve educational outcomes in underserved communities by ensuring learners have access to essential facilities and opportunities to develop their potential.
