Over 700 get free medical checkups in Kiserian Fanaka Junior School sets eye on moulding all round learners

By Vostine Ratemo

Fanaka Junior School is setting ground to emerge a formidable player in academics and extracurricular activities in Ongata Rongai Sub-county and beyond.

Speaking with Education News in his office, Head teacher Sylvester Williams Oswe said he is determined to achieve this feat with the help of his dedicated teaching staff.

“We aim to mould all round students who are able to put into practice whatever they are being taught in school,” he said, adding that they are striving to en- ferent issues in life,” he stated.

Oswe revealed that the school participates in community work like helping children homes, persons with disabilities and spreading environmental awareness messages through distributing dust bins.

Fanaka Junior School has been in existence for 10 years. Located in Ongata Rongai in a serene environment conducive for learning, the school has a population of 350 learners.

It was among the first few schools to be granted approval to admit Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners.

The school has seven vehicles with all the drivers being NTSA compliant and more than 80 per cent of the learners

By Obegi Malack

More than 700 patients received free assessment, screening and treatment of diverse medical conditions during Centrumberliner Medical Centre free medical outreach in Kiserian.

Some of the health areas of interest were speech therapy, audiology, hearing assessment, physiotherapy, counselling & psychology, optical services, dental, reproductive health, general screening, among other specialties.

Patients were mainly from Kajiado West, an area that has few hospitals per population, especially the Maasai who mostly depend on traditional herbs and do not go to hospital for checkups.

Some of the patients were children suffering from conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities.

These groups are usually stigmatized as they are believed to be cursed for failure to observe certain traditions.

Centrumberliner co-founder and Managing Director Roisa Kerry said due to the hard economic times and the loss of livelihoods owing to the prolonged drought, some families prioritize other needs like shelter and food as compared to healthcare. Consequently, some patients seek treatment when their health has completely deteriorated.

Dr Inge Vervoort, head of International Office Thomas More University in Belgium, said there was a lot of progress in the exercise, adding more needed to be done to ensure the communities get affordable healthcare.

Dr. Ezekiel Mecha from University of Nairobi (UoN) said they will continue partnering sure parents get value for their money.

He added that to achieve quality grades, the teachers work closely with the learners to identify weak subject areas and lay more emphasis on them.

He noted that as a result of 100 percent transition, the school has improved its infrastructure to create an enabling learning environment for the eager and determined learners.

The school engages the learners in co-curricular activities to help them relax and to nurture talent.

“In co-curricular activities, the school engages in skating, soccer, chess, dancing, music and taekwondo,” he said.

It has the following clubs: Art,

Fashion, Journalism and Home Science. Guidance and counselling services are offered to the learners on a weekly basis, every Monday.

“Professionals are invited to talk to the learners and to help them handle dif- use their transport. It also has a modern kitchen which has 6 certified chefs and the sanitation department has ten members who aid in cleaning the surroundings. with like-minded institutions to reach out to more people in the community.

The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) Deputy Director Johannah Mweu said many patients turned out for the services and parents with special needs children were trained on how to take care of them.

He noted that more medical outreach camps were needed, which will enable many people to access services for free and also reduce pressure on public health facilities.

Specialists and partners were from the Ministry of Health, Kajiado County Government, Thomas More University Antwerp, UoN, KISE, Sinai Hospital, Barbara and Franziska Piontek (sisters4women) from Germany, Andy Speaks for Special Needs Persons Africa and Afya Africa among others.