Pupils and teachers at Waa Primary School, Kwale County had reasons to smile after a leading gaming firm Mozzart Bet launched their state-of-the-art toilets on Friday last week.
Constructed at a cost of Sh2.4 million, the two blocks will serve 780 pupils and 16 teachers stationed at the school.
The pupils’ block has 14 doors, seven for boys and a similar number for girls while the teachers’ block has four toilets, two for gents and another two for ladies.
Initially, pupils and teachers at the school, which was started in 1923, had to put their health and dignity on the line when relieving themselves as the existing restrooms were in a deplorable state.
“The thought of pupils at Waa putting their dignity and safety at risk by using ablution blocks constructed more than five decades ago disturbed me greatly. Making the pupils happy and restoring dignity at the institution became our top priority,” said Mozzart Bet Country Manager Sasa Krneta.
Krneta said when the plight of learners at Waa was brought to his attention, he could not help but join hands with the community and save the day.
Last Friday’s event marked the start of a new chapter for the school as the project will certainly create a conducive learning environment and restore dignity to the institution.
According to the community, the existing blocks had stood the test of time having been constructed more than five decades ago.
Having commissioned the project, Krneta exuded confidence in the school improving its academic performance as the learners will be operating in a safe and conducive environment.
“These new toilets will go a long way in boosting the esteem of the learners, a key ingredient for academic success,” he added.
Joining Krneta in opening the project was Kwale County Deputy Governor Dr. Josephat Chirema Kombo, who pledged to erect lights at the expansive school compound following security concerns raised by the administration.
“Waa Primary School is a historic institution. It attracts learners from all corners of the county, and it is our responsibility to make it conducive for our children. I thank Mozzart Bet for the beautiful toilets they have constructed. As a county, we will join hands with the school and solve the lighting problem as well as beautify it,” said Kombo.
Joseph Amwayi, a representative from the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) was also present to witness the launch of the project.
Amwayi encouraged other gaming firms to borrow a leaf from Mozzart and give back to the community through projects which will have a lasting impact.
“We are happy with the community projects Mozzart have been doing. We urge the rest of the gaming firms to emulate them,” said Amwayi.
Besides the ablution blocks, Mozzart Bet donated foodstuffs, sanitary towels, 100 desks and stationery to the institution at a cost of Sh3.4 million (Sh2.4 million for toilets, Sh100,000 for foodstuffs and Sh700,000 for desks).
Head teacher Amina Said expressed gratitude to the firm for coming to their aid and helping to restore dignity to the learners and teachers.
“Our toilets were in a deplorable state, robbed learners of their dignity and posed health risks. We are however grateful to our friends from Mozzart Bet for bringing change and comfort to us. This will definitely spur academic growth,” said Said who is barely a month old at the school.
Speaking on behalf of the alumni and community, celebrated media personality Rashid Abdalla thanked the firm for being part of the efforts aimed at changing the face of the school.
“I studied at this school and at some point, I was the timekeeper. A lot has changed since I left but we are not yet there as the school lacks essential amenities. As a community, we are trying our best to change the school through academics and sports. We thank Mozzart Bet, who have been friends of this Kwale community for the last two years, for their kind gesture,” said Abdalla.
This is the second toilet project Mozzart Bet has delivered to a school in the year. The first was commissioned at Kwakoko Primary School in Kithimani, Yatta in February.
Head of Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Frank Okoth Ochieng says the health of learners remains a top priority to Mozzart Bet and thus, more projects are in the pipeline.
“The health and wellness of the school-going children of Kenya should be a priority. The hygienic conditions we found at Waa were wanting. A conducive learning environment contributes to the overall performance of our children as far as academics are concerned. I am glad that courtesy of our socially responsible efforts at Mozzart we have changed the situation here and continue to do so in deserving schools from other regions,” said Okoth.
