Starehe Girls’ dinner raises Sh6m

Starehe Girls students perform during the  fundraising dinner at the Korean Ambassador’s residence in Nairobi on Saturday. [PHOTO: GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD]

By ABIGAEL SUM

Korean Ambassador Kim Chan-Woo and his wife Park Chung-Hee hosted a charity dinner for Starehe Girls Centre at their Mzima Springs residence in Nairobi.

Attended by diplomats, dignitaries and corporate executives, the dinner last Saturday was meant to raise money for the education of disadvantaged, bright girls at the institution.

Over Sh6 million was raised to cater for the girls’ needs. Various sponsorship pledges for the girls’ education were also made.

Chief Guest Tabitha Karanja, CEO of Keroche Breweries stressed the importance of education and said the money would make a mark in the students’ lives.

“If these girls are going to make it, somebody has to hold their hand and support them. Raising money which will go towards the sponsorship of the girls’ tuition and upkeep is a noble cause,” she said.

The school, which emulates the spirit of the renowned Starehe Boys Centre, opened its doors in January 2005 with 72 girls. Today, it boasts of a population of 400 high school students and 30 post-secondary students taking various internship programmes. The institution is now ranked among the top schools in the country.

Starehe Girls Centre Director Margaret Wanjohi thanked the donors, adding that helping the girls was an academic and social achievement.

Among the major sponsors were Keroche Breweries, Chandaria Foundation, R-Squared Partners, Britam Insurance Company, Imperial Bank and the Rural Electrification Authority. Wanjohi said the fundraiser was a success and thanked the Charity Dinner Committee headed by Honorine Kiplagat.

Microsoft team

Some members of the committee included Eunice Mathu (vice-chairperson), Margery Kabuya, Zahra Moi, Mary Nyachae, Nafisa Mohammed, Mary Njuguna (secretary), Jane Chemng’orem and Dr Anuja Kapila.

“I salute donors and sponsors for the unwavering support. We pride ourselves in producing well-rounded girls who are able to cope with various challenges of the world. We are proud that one of our girls, Mary Mwende, recently joined Microsoft’s advisory team as a special advisor on the use of ICT,” she said.

The girls paid tribute to donors and sponsors for their continued support. Also in attendance were Kibra MP Kenneth Okoth and Equity Bank’s Chief Operations Officer Julius Kipng’etich, among others.