West Kenya Sugar company donated a Ksh. 4.5 million building with classrooms they built for a local school.
During the handover ceremony at Shambere Primary school, Kabras Sugar brand miller’s managing director Tejveer S. Rai said they had identified the education sector as one of its corporate responsibility investments (CSI) pillars. Because of that, the company set aside resources to ensure they are involved in helping local schools with infrastructural improvement, buying desks, and offering scholarships.
West Kenya Company is chaired by Jaswant Rai.
“When we saw that the state of class buildings at the school was not just dilapidated, but also a danger to children because of gaping holes in walls and leaking roofs, we committed ourselves to build a total of eight classrooms that are valued at roughly Ksh. 10 million,” said West Kenya Managing Director Tejveer Rai.
Tejveer added that since there was already a shortage of classrooms in the school, the company chose to commence the project in two phases of four classrooms.
He also said that he was happy to be celebrating the milestone with the pupils, teachers, and representatives from the local community who attended the occasion.
Parents who graced the occasion said they could not hide their joy and appreciated the efforts of West Kenya Company invested to help the state of local schools.
“West Kenya is like home to many of us because any time we need help, we call them and they are always ready to help us,” said one of the parents.
Tejveer also advised teachers and parents to ensure they protect the lives of pupils as the country strives to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.
He said that up to every stakeholder’s responsibility to support the government in fighting the coronavirus. They will do this by adhering to the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health.
Empowerment of young ones
The MD added that he believed if the young ones are empowered, then it is a good thing. This is why the company invested a lot of money in scholarships, especially to help boost the transition from primary to secondary school. He noted that he had noticed a lack of funds as the reason many children have dropped out of schools and seen their dreams disappear.
Quoting his father, Tarlochan Singh Rai, also the founder of the Rai Group, Tejveer said, “education is freedom, no one can take it away from you, he valued education above everything else.”
The company has also donated desks through an educational trust established in honor of the Rai Group founder.
Through the various CSI arms, Tejveer promised to commit more funds to do more as a company along the line of boosting society and social amenities in Kisumu, Bungoma, Siaya, Kakamega, Bungoma, and even Kericho where the Rai Group is present.
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