Peris Wairimu, VoicesofAfrica alumna in Meru, Kenya
The extent to which education has expanded in Meru, Kenya , is amply demonstrated by the number of schools constructed by Dirk Kam the president of Mesics Foundation with its offices in the Netherlands. Mesics, which is an abbreviation of Mens Sana In Corpore Sano means 'a healthy mind in a healthy body'.
Despite involving itself in funding women projects across Meru,the foundation has also uplifted men projects like establishment of primary schools, petrol stations among others. By construction of learning institutions, the foundation has so far raised the level of literacy hence fighting poverty and immorality in the area. Schools are now made available to residents without hustling and tarmacking for long distances and children can gain knowledge from wherever no matter how interior their homes are from town.
In the academic sector, the Organization has assisted in establishment of primary and secondary schools, provision of computers to various institutions and also granting sewing machines to polytechnics. One of the schools constructed via the MESICS aid is St. Albert CMA(Catholic Men Association) primary school.
The school which has a total of 160 pupils and 7 teachers was officially re-opened in the year 2005 by the Catholic Bishop of Meru Rev. Salesius Mugambi. St. Albert is one of its kind in the area which provides porridge and lunch to its pupils hence fulfilling the Mesics theme ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. With education being a major problem here in Kenya the Government is also trying to improve this by offering free primary education in all public schools. Those in public secondary schools are entitled to pay a half of their school fees as the Government through the Ministry of Education pays the remaining half.