Church Builds Needed Facilities for Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya

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Ongata Ronkai Primary School faces many challenges in meeting the needs of the 4,150 students attending there.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in cooperation with the Riziki Foundation, became aware of these needs and set out to provide help. 

Contractors were selected and building began on constructing 5 hand washing stations, a 12-station latrine for boys and a separate 12-station latrine for girls, as well as over 300 student desks.  On the 30^th of March, 2026, Church representatives came together with members of the Riziki Foundation, local school and government leaders, as well as students and their parents to celebrate the newly built additions to the school.

During the handover ceremony the head teacher, James Kyewho, expressed his gratitude saying, “I want to sincerely thank the Church and their friends for the good work they have done for our school.” He related how the school was struggling, and he couldn’t see “any light at the end of the tunnel,” but now, “I am pleased to say,” he remarked, “they have done us proud.”

The Chairman of the Parent’s Board also expressed sincere thanks in his remarks, speaking for the families there he said, “When we saw the project start we celebrated and we said, ‘God has answered our prayer’, and indeed, when we see them today we see the answer to that prayer… and we want to say thank-you again, for providing those facilities over to us.”

After these thoughtful expressions, children from the school stood, and in unison declared, “And God sent angels, yes angels, welcome.” They continued by reciting a heartfelt poem which began, “Today we stand so proud and bright, to thank you with our hearts so light.  You knew our needs, you chose to care, you heard our cries, you wiped our tears.”  Hearts were touched throughout the many assembled as these children continued in perfect unison, expressing their gratitude and good wishes to those who had come to their aid. 

Following this beautiful recitation all present were treated to hearing more children’s voices united in song, further adding to the spirit of the joyful occasion. 

After these performances others were invited to speak, including representatives from the Riziki foundation with Rafael Omondi declaring, “Whatever we do, we strive to emulate Jesus Christ.”

To close the program, Elder and Sister Chadwick, Humanitarian Specialist Missionaries for the Africa Central Area were asked to share their thoughts.  Elder Chadwick, along with expressing his love and appreciation for all gathered stated, “We were impressed with your students and teachers here, and we feel like the money was well spent for the projects that were done here.”

Following her husband’s remarks, Sister Chadwick spoke of the great love they both felt for the children adding, “As much as we love your children, and you love your children, our Heavenly Father, which is God, and the Savior, Jesus Christ, love each of you, and through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we’re able to do these projects to help you.”  She continued by speaking of the humanitarian funds that made the project possible and expressed her feelings by saying, “We’re just thrilled to be a part of it, and we hope that you enjoy these beautiful new water stations, and these beautiful new buildings that they built for you.”