Mavuno Church has unveiled an ambitious plan to renovate 50 public schools across the country by the end of 2025.
Under the Spread the Love Campaign, the faith-based organisation aims to engage communities and volunteers in collectively contributing one million hours of community service each year to uplift educational institutions nationwide.
David Kuria, Lead Pastor at Mavuno Church Lavington Campus, underscored the importance of collective responsibility in the programme and urged relevant corporations to support the initiative.
“We are targeting the renovation of 50 schools in 2025 and are looking to partner with other stakeholders and corporates to make this dream a reality. As our National Anthem says, ‘Let us build our land and nation,’ it is a responsibility for everyone, and we must work alongside the national and county governments to achieve this. Our Spread the Love community activities celebrate life change and societal transformation because we want to add value to our communities so that when people think of the church, they think good,” he said.
The Spread the Love Campaign is focused on mobilising resources and volunteer efforts to improve the conditions of public primary schools and correctional institutions, with the goal of achieving one million hours of service annually.
In 2019, the campaign achieved significant milestones, including an investment of KSh20 million in refurbishing public primary schools such as Mlolongo Primary School, Plainsview Primary School, Kasoitu Primary School, State House Primary School, Rabai Primary School, Komarock Primary School, Supa Loaf Primary School, Kwa Njenga Primary School, Njathaini Primary School, and St Patrick’s Primary School.
Currently, Lavington Primary School has benefitted from improvements such as classroom repainting, landscaping, and the renovation of the administration block. Plans are also underway to upgrade the school’s ablution block.
During a handover ceremony, Rituta MCA Eric Kiogora commended the programme, stating that it had significantly transformed the school.
The school’s headteacher, Lucas Ouma, also expressed gratitude for the renovations, noting that morale among teachers and students had improved, leading to increased enrolment and better academic performance.
“The renovations have had a positive impact on attendance rates as students are motivated to learn in a clean and well-maintained environment,” he said.
Pastor Milton Jumba, Head of Operations at Mavuno Church and team leader of the Spread the Love initiative, highlighted critical needs for the project, such as repairing classrooms with potholed floors and damaged noticeboards, providing adequate furniture, and ensuring learning environments are conducive for all learners. “Inadequate infrastructure affects the quality of education and student outcomes,” he stated.
Since the reintroduction of free primary education in 2003, public schools in Kenya have experienced significant enrolment increases, but challenges persist in providing adequate facilities.
According to Pastor Carol Wanjau, Family Therapist and Executive Pastor at Mavuno Church, “Poor facilities lead to disinterested pupils and lower school performances,” underscoring the importance of such upgrades.
Mavuno Church Senior Pastor Muriithi Wanjau reiterated the organisation’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to a safe and conducive learning environment through partnerships with local communities and organisations, aiming to positively impact the lives of children and their families.