Over 5,000 Pupils to Benefit from Amref-Absa COVID-19 Response Project in Kilifi

Handwashing Facilities, Water Storage Tanks Donated to Mkaomoto, Marereni, and Mjanaheri Primary Schools

Kilifi, 1 July 2021: Over 5000 pupils and nearly 100 teachers from three primary schools in Kilifi County are set to benefit from COVID-19 response interventions through a joint project between Amref Health Africa in Kenya and Absa Bank Kenya.

The three primary schools – Mkaomoto, Marereni, and Mjanaheri will receive handwashing facilities, as well as water storage tanks, and the neighbouring communities will be trained on covid19 prevention measures.

“This Project complements the Government of Kilifi County’s COVID-19 response efforts. We are ensuring that communities, including schools, have correct information about COVID-19 and can access water and sanitation facilities as a cost-effective first line of defense in the fight against the virus,’’ said Martin Muchangi, WASH&NTDs Programme Director, Amref Health Africa in Kenya during the handover of the facilities.

Speaking at the event, Absa’ Director of Corporate and Institutional Banking James Agin stated that the bank’s ambition is to become a leading, purpose-orientated, African bank that is systemically rooted in the countries it serves and strives to be a real force-for-good in the society.

“As a bank, we acknowledge that it is our role to support people and communities around us while conducting our business and view it as the right thing to do. We are committed to hold the hands of Kenyans during this difficult period and we are happy to support deserving causes through such initiatives. We trust that this intervention between Absa and Amref is a booster to the nationwide efforts to defeat this virus,” said James Agin, Regional Corporate and Institutional Banking Absa Bank Kenya.

To ensure the schools’ community are empowered with information about Coronavirus, the project has built the capacity of the teachers and pupils on COVID-19 prevention and control, developed child-friendly messages on handwashing and nudges which are appealing to children encouraging them to wash their hands.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 7 out of 10 schools lack basic handwashing facilities and half of the schools lack basic sanitation and water services. Proper hand hygiene in schools has a ripple effect on pupils; better hygiene means better health and therefore, a healthier school environment increases the level of productivity for both teachers and pupils.

Notes to Editors
About Amref Health Africa
Amref Health Africa, headquartered in Kenya, is the largest Africa-based International NonGovernmental Organisation (INGO). With a focus on increasing sustainable health access, Amref runs programmes in over 35 countries in Africa, with lessons learnt over 60 years of engagement with governments, communities, and partners. Amref Health Africa also engages in programme development, fundraising, partnership, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and has offices in Europe and North America as well as subsidiaries: Amref Flying Doctors, Amref Enterprises, and the Amref International University.

About Absa Bank Kenya
Absa Bank Kenya PLC is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and is one of Kenya’s leading financial institutions. Established in 1916, Absa, formerly Barclays, has been a major player in Kenya’s financial landscape, engaged in personal and corporate banking, enterprise, credit cards and bancassurance.

The bank offers end-to-end financial solutions to retail, enterprise, and corporate customers, and its regional and global footprint enables it to offer cutting-edge financial solutions to its clients. The bank is a leader in the credit card space and has also been associated with a number of market firsts such as the launch of the first ATM, Sharia compliant banking, and unsecured lending among others. Absa Bank Kenya has a presence in 38 counties with 86 branches, 212 ATMs and robust internet and mobile banking platforms. The bank’s purpose is to bring possibilities to life.

For more information contact:
Brenda Asiko-Gichangi
Communications Manager
Amref Health Africa in Kenya
Tel: +254 722 985 306
Or
communications.ke@absa.africa