Oral East Africa>Absa returns to Kisumu day to roll out Foundation programme At the hut of the story

Written by Oral East Africa

Kisumu Day boarding was lucky twice when Absa Bank Kenya returned on Tuesday to hand over school books worth Kes600,000 after the bank helped set up the school’s computer lab as well as supporting tree planting activities.

Absa chose the high school in the middle of Kisumu city to launch the first activity of its Foundation launched last week.

The school at the heart of Kisumu city has a large population of day scholars predominantly from the informal settlements within the city, and as such has a large number of needy students.

Absa Bank launched Absa Kenya Foundation (AKF), its corporate social arm with a seed funding of Sh500 million and a commitment of 1.5 per cent of its annual earnings that is set to unlock financing for education, health, entrepreneurship and green energy projects across the country.

Resource impact

The donation aligns with the Foundation’s Education and Skills strategic pillar and aims to enhance the learning experience of the students and consequently improving their academic performance.

“Our firm believe is that education is the key engine towards positive social change in our community and a tool that brings to the fore the potential that lies in everyone one of us,” Absa Bank Kenya Managing Director &CEO, Abdi Mohamed said.

Studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between school instructional material and academic achievement, informing policy makers to fill the resource gaps that exists in most rural schools.

Absa Bank Ceo Abdi Mohamed a former High school math teacher from Garissa, says their choice of launching the inaugural intervention of the newly launched AKF in education is testament to crafting the foundation’s initiative in ways that are very responsive to the gaps in the community.

The choice of Mr Mohamed as Absa boss has given the Pan African lender an edge as the banks seeks closer ties with customers in a strategic push to grow the business and maintain relationships under the current tough macro-economic times.