Learners with disabilities at Chekombero Special School in Sabatia Constituency, Vihiga County, have received a major boost after M-Pesa Foundation invested Sh50 million to transform their learning environment.

The school, which had long struggled with dilapidated facilities and overcrowded spaces, is now home to upgraded classrooms for Grades 1 to 9, a brand-new Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) block, and a modern 20-seater ICT laboratory.

The infrastructural overhaul is intended to ease congestion, modernise learning spaces, and create a conducive environment for learners to thrive.

According to M-Pesa Foundation Chairman Nicholas Nganga, the initiative is grounded in the belief that no child should be left behind due to disability or socio-economic background.

“At M-Pesa Foundation, we believe that every child, regardless of ability or background, deserves access to a learning environment that empowers them. This investment is about restoring hope, enabling access to digital opportunities, and preparing learners for a brighter future,” he said.

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For the first time, learners at Chekombero Special School will access computer-based learning within their own compound, thanks to the fully furnished ICT laboratory.

The school has also received a new kitchen equipped with two energy-efficient jikos, alongside a multipurpose dining hall. In addition, the Foundation has renovated and furnished the dormitories to offer better accommodation for learners during the term.

For years, the students, most of whom live with physical and cognitive disabilities, had endured substandard conditions—worn-out dormitories, leaky classroom roofs, and insufficient space that limited both comfort and learning potential.

Reflecting on the transformation, the school’s head teacher, Wilson Otieno Charles remarked on the profound impact the changes will have on both learning and self-esteem.

“Our learners have spent years in difficult conditions, but today they are walking into classrooms with fresh looks, strong roofs, and enough space to learn and grow. This new ICT lab has opened a whole new world for our learners. For many of them, this is probably their first interaction with a computer. These are not just facilities, they are the foundation of new dreams,” Otieno said.

The developments at Chekombero form part of M-Pesa Foundation’s broader ‘Citizens of the Future’ initiative, a nationwide programme currently rolling out in all 47 counties.

The initiative targets the enhancement of learning environments to improve access to quality education for children across Kenya.

By breathing new life into institutions like Chekombero, the Foundation is not just constructing buildings—it is rebuilding futures.