The quiet village of Makobeni on the outskirts of Malindi was on Tuesday transformed into a scene of jubilation and celebration as Optiven Foundation officially handed over a fully equipped, modern science laboratory to Makobeni Secondary School. The milestone marks a new chapter for the school and the entire community, promising to revolutionize the quality of science education in the region.
The event, attended by students, teachers, parents, local leaders, and Optiven Foundation officials, was the culmination of a journey that began on January 16, 2025, with a groundbreaking and prayer ceremony led by the Foundation’s Directors and Chairman, Dr. George Wachiuri.
Makobeni Secondary School, home to 150 students—100 boys and 50 girls—has long battled a lack of facilities, limited staff, and financial hardship. With only eight teachers, many working voluntarily, and no proper classrooms or staffroom, the school had previously housed all its students in a single government-constructed building. Teachers operated under a tree, and students were forced to travel over 100 miles to access a science laboratory.
The new laboratory, fully funded and constructed by Optiven Foundation at a cost of Sh10.5 million, is a game-changer. It will enable students to access quality science education, conduct experiments, and gain practical exposure to lab equipment—many for the first time in their academic lives.
Speaking during the handover, Dr. Wachiuri, who also chairs the Optiven Foundation, praised the resilience of the Makobeni community and urged professionals originating from the area to return and invest in local development. “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members,” he said, attributing the success of the project to the continued support of Optiven investors.
The laboratory project falls under the Foundation’s Education Pillar, which also runs initiatives such as the Soaring Eagles Scholarship Program, TVET Support Program, the George Wachiuri School of Mentorship, and a Management Trainee Mentorship Program. Additionally, through its Poverty Eradication Pillar, the Foundation involved local labor in the construction process, uplifting livelihoods in the area.
The ceremony ended with the donation of food supplies, sanitary pads, and footballs—bringing smiles and hope to the Makobeni school community.
With the new facility, Makobeni Secondary School stands poised for academic transformation, as Optiven Foundation continues its mission to empower communities and unlock opportunities for Kenya’s next generation.
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