The photo shows students of Beijing MCEDO school watch the donation ceremony on June 15. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
NAIROBI, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Chinese firms on Thursday donated learning materials, sports kits and snacks worth 4,075 U.S. dollars to a school located in the Mathare slum in Kenya's Nairobi.
Eleven companies under the umbrella of Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) made the latest donation to the Beijing MCEDO School as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Senior executives from the Chinese firms as well as the Economic and Trade Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya Guo Ce attended the donation ceremony.
Mao Qinghua, party secretary of Sinohydro East Africa, in his opening remarks said that Chinese enterprises will continue to support education of disadvantaged Kenyan children to enable them realize their dreams.
"The items we are donating today include textbooks, schoolbags, pens, pencils and sport facilities. All these items are an expression of the Chinese community's care and expectation for students from less fortunate background," Mao remarked.
Beijing MCEDO School, located at the heart of the Mathare slum, has in the last decade received financial support from the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi and Chinese enterprises to promote education among children from poor families.
Currently, the learning facility hosts more than 600 students at both primary and secondary levels thanks to construction of additional classrooms sponsored by Chinese enterprises operating in Kenya.
Mao noted that Beijing MCEDO School is a model of robust Sino-Kenya friendship in education and skills development for the young generation.
Principal of Beijing MCEDO School Benedict Kiage hailed the contribution of Chinese business entities towards transformation of the lives of slum children through formal education, sports and vocational training.
"This school has risen above endemic challenges in Mathare slum that include poverty, insecurity and communicable diseases to offer life-long skills to children and youth," Kiage remarked.
He added the latest donation from Chinese companies will inspire children in Mathare slum to pursue education and sports with zeal.
