Dear Prospective Citizens/Well-wishers,
It is the joy of every parent or guardian with a child in school to see them alive and whole when the minors return home. But there are those who have only been met with sad news of their children’s death or injury in times of accidents or disaster even before schools close. A lot of the time the deaths are preventable. The Okoa Life Foundation (OLF), a duly
registered charitable and non-profit making organization with a focus and bias on safety in learning institutions was established in 2014. An increase in insecurity and disaster cases in learning institutions led the OLF to devise ways through which children could live and feel safer in schools. This was given multifaceted approaches, and it has proven worthwhile, as there are parents, policy-makers, organizations and learning institutions that now appreciate our work. We are guided by the Constitution of Kenya (2010), which grants every Kenyan several rights and freedoms, including Freedom and security of persons (Article 29), Right to clean and healthy environment (Article 42); and national security (Article 238). We wish to help ensure every Kenyan child enjoys the aforementioned. While working to improve security in institutions, we have confirmed that safety risks go up due to Alcohol and Substance abuse, Global and local Terrorism, and Urbanization, to mention a few. At the same time, despite Government directives on how dormitories should be built and occupied, congestion in learning institutions’ halls remains a reality, making it risky for minors in case of emergency. In the past students have been victims of avoidable deaths resulting from stampedes when alarm is raised over real or perceived threats. Within and outside schools, increased use of inflammable substances and technologies such as hydrocarbons and electricity pose a lot of danger to children, especially at night. To add on these are cases of bullying in some schools as well as sexual harassment of female students by teachers or fellow students. The Okoa Life Foundation wants to make it easier for children to report their fears and looming disaster in good time. We sensitize children at an early age on matters safety and security at home and school. Besides the basic skills, we have offered and continue to offer counseling and mentorship. OLF does its activities through the regular curriculum and extra-curricular activities. One of the facets of our approach that has, however, not received the best of our attention for lack of resources, is on developing an after-school program. This, we hope, will be achieved soon if resources are available. All these activities have been limited to only a few institutions due to inadequate resources. The foundation would like to spread the messages to more schools in Nairobi, and in future, across the country. The purpose of this request, therefore, is to seek your donation,volunteer and/or allocation of some funds to the OLF to enable us reach more schools in Nairobi County. This will sure enable us to fully deliver at the OLF, which works with the belief that where you live should not determine whether you live. With your help, and together as ONE, we can make a difference in the lives of many! For further discussion on this, the OLF organizational team would appreciate a meeting with you and your team at a time and place of your convenience. Thank you in advance for any support you may consider offering OLF. Yours Sincerely,
OKOA LIFE FOUNDATION TEAM.
