Three public secondary schools in Machakos County are beneficiaries of an art and craft programme.
The programme involves about twenty students making cards and selling them abroad. The cards idea was born from Superior Housing Limited’s director Ian Henderson.
The artistry involves an art and craft class where the students are given the chance to explore their creative sides. Though government supported, the funds dished out to these public secondary schools are not enough to facilitate a productive art class.
The students were trained last year in November and took up their new found love as soon as possible. They came from Mavoko, Athi River and Kanaanu Secondary Schools.
They make the cards from paper and glue and art paper with the help of their teachers. The first lot that was trained was form one students for the purpose of continuity.
Making the cards is done as an extra assignment during the weekends and after classes.
“I love making cards because it helps me pass my time constructively and also gives me a chance to develop my school,” says a happy Immaculate Mbatha, a form two student at Kanaanu Secondary.
The cost of making one card is approximated at two pounds. When sold, abroad, the cards go for ten pounds. So far the students have sold their cards twice during Christmas and Valentine seasons and their efforts paid off.
Proceeds from the cards go towards renovating their classrooms and may later go to the school fees for some of the needy students in their communities.
The bigger picture for this project is to get many schools inculcated in the program and eventually put in place a firm exchange programme for the students involved.
Making the cards will hopefully impact them with the much-needed skill and later help them make their own money independently once they are through with school.