University don lights up future of village through education

KCA University DVC Academic Affairs Prof. Joshua Bagaka interacts with a pupil during the Read Baby Read program at Inani primary school in Kisii. [Okumu Modachi, Standard]

A Kenyan professor is becoming a beacon of hope for pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds in his native Inani village, in Bobasi in Kisii.

Prof. Joshua Bagaka, a lecturer at KCA University has chosen to light up the future of his village children through founding an initiative dubbed 'Inani Read Baby Read.'

The initiative seeks to establish a reading culture and improve reading skills among young learners in the area with Inani Primary School as the pioneer beneficiary.

"We donate books which teachers, together with pupils set time aside to study once or twice a week. The positive testimony is that there is noticeable change among the learners themselves," Prof Bagaka said.

The programme that was conceived two years ago, Prof Bagaka said has already impacted positively on the lives of children especially those that are underprivileged.

According to the university don, the innate passion to be an agent of change inspired this motive to transform his village through education.

"It is the lack of resources such as these that holds them from digging quickly their way to success... investing in books would in turn help in great measure to make really that dream," he stated.

Prof. Bagaka is currently championing for setting up of a resource centre where more learners from the neighbouring Nyamache region can access the learning facilities.

"With a well-stocked resource centre, the children can come here on Saturday afternoon after church and Sundays to study. This is the second target even as we ensure these one here are given the requisite implements that can help them compete with others in cities," he said.

The academician revealed these plans during book donation event last Friday 14, at the institution.

The school received, among other donations, 50 books from a 12 year old Ethan White from Minnesota, USA who had graced the occasion

Area Ward Rep Jacob Bagaka said the County will help set up a new class in the school as part of the efforts to back up the initiative which Prof. Bagaka said still has gaps to be filled.

"Beyond reading, we are now seeing children doing things with amazing confidence and this will be inculcated throughout their lives,"he stated.

He also revealed of plans to expand the initiative to other learning institutions saying that, in collaboration with KCA university, they have already identified a shool in Kajiado county where they will launch a similar drive.

He called on parents to cooperate with teachers to help enhance the reading culture in their children.

Inani Primary School head teacher Nyamoita Maoga said the initiative by professor Bagaka was godsend.

"We only appeal for more other stakeholders to chip in to help especially in infrastructure even as we go on with this initiative, "she said