Not long ago, the morning bell at Mokowon Primary and Junior Secondary School didn’t just signal the start of lessons; it marked a race against the sun. Before the first math problem was scribbled on the chalkboard, many students had already walked kilometers across the arid terrain of Chepareria, West Pokot—their small hands calloused from carrying heavy jerrycans.
Damaris Apokoreng, a teacher at the school, remembers the toll it took. “Children would arrive late, exhausted, and thirsty,” she recalls. “Hygiene was a luxury we couldn’t afford, and the classroom was often half-empty because the search for water took precedence over education.”
Today, the sound of the school bell is accompanied by a new, rhythmic melody: the splashing of clean, cool water hitting the bottom of a plastic bucket.
This transformation is the result of a solar-powered water project recently commissioned by Hazina Sacco as part of its nationwide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The Sacco decided to turn gratitude into a lifeline, recognizing the immense support of the local community—West Pokot Hazina Sacco delegates recently ranked first in member recruitment.
“We saw the water in a nearby stream, just out of reach for these children,” says CPA Dickson Okungu, Hazina Sacco, CEO. “Our leadership felt it was our responsibility to bridge that gap.”
By installing a solar-powered pumping system, the Sacco has brought this “precious commodity” directly to the school gates. No longer do the students of Mokowon have to choose between a drink of water and an hour of geography.
For parents like Clementina Lotwala, the project feels like an answered prayer. “It is as if God has visited us through Hazina Sacco,” she says, watching as the children gather around the new taps, laughing as they wash their hands.
With the burden of the trek lifted, the focus has shifted back to the desks. For the 300+ learners in this dry corner of West Pokot, the future no longer looks like a long, dusty road; it looks like a full classroom and a glass of clean water.
H.E. Robert Komolle, the Deputy Governor, West Pokot, noted that the project provides vital relief and will lead to better learning outcomes. He acknowledged that while the county government strives to provide water, resource constraints make partnerships essential.
“When our young people receive a good education, they become resourceful members of society. That is how regions and lives truly change. This initiative will create a lasting social and economic impact on the community and, most importantly, on the pupils.”
~ Dr. Macdonald Obudho, Vice Chairman
“For decades, pupils and the community in lower Chepareria were forced to trek long distances under a scorching sun. This routine exhausted the children and led to frequent absenteeism,” the Deputy Governor said. “I want to thank Hazina Sacco for helping us reach where we could not. They have ensured our children have clean drinking water.”
The sustainable water project involves piping water from the river directly into two 10,000-liter tanks installed within the school compound by Hazina Sacco. To keep operational costs low, the entire system is powered by solar energy.
The Deputy Governor called on other partners to follow suit and encouraged local residents to support the Sacco. “I am requesting our staff and residents to join an institution like Hazina, which not only supports them financially but also supports their community,” he added, noting that the county is eager for further collaboration.
Dr. Macdonald Obudho, Vice Chairman, Hazina Sacco Board, emphasized that the project was a direct reward for the region’s loyalty. Because the local delegates led the way in recruitment, they were given the power to choose the CSR project that would best serve their people.
“When our young people receive a good education, they become resourceful members of society. That is how regions and lives truly change,” said Dr. Obudho. “This initiative will create a lasting social and economic impact on the community and, most importantly, on the pupils.”
The project has been hailed as a “God-send” by locals, parents and leaders. Teachers expect the improved access to water to lead to better student performance, as learners can now focus entirely on their studies without the daily struggle for the “precious commodity.
Established in 1971 and regulated by the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), Hazina Sacco is a nationwide Deposit-Taking Sacco, with over 66 outlets. Originally formed to serve the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Sacco has since opened its common bond to include other ministries, parastatals, county governments, and the private sector.
With a mission to transform members’ lives through competitive and innovative financial services, the Sacco currently serves over 36,000 active members. Guided by its motto, “Together we Prosper!”, Hazina Sacco remains committed to its core values of integrity, equity, teamwork, customer focus, professionalism, and innovation. The Sacco is licensed and regulated by the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA).
