6th September 2024 …. The Finlays Community Trust has today commissioned a new dining hall and kitchen at Kapchebwai secondary school, Kericho County. The new facility will provide a safe and comfortable space for meals, essential for the well-being and academic success of over 186 students in Sigowet Soin Sub-County.

The construction of the dining hall and kitchen is part of the Trust’s ongoing educational infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes in Kericho and Bomet Counties. Since 2010, the Trust has invested over Ksh. 310 million in infrastructure projects across these two counties, focusing on creating environments that foster educational excellence and community well-being.

The Trust has implemented over 77 infrastructure projects within Kericho and Bomet counties. Some of the projects include the construction of a fully equipped two-streamed secondary school at a cost of Kshs.110 million, 21 laboratories, 13 classrooms, 14 libraries and resource centers, seven dining halls and five dormitories.

Bishop Alfred Rotich, Chairman of the Finlays Community Trust, emphasized the critical role of such facilities in promoting student success: “Our mission is to empower young minds by addressing their fundamental needs through essential infrastructure projects. A well-equipped dining hall and kitchen not only ensure that students have access to nutritious meals but also provide a structured and supportive environment that is conducive to learning and personal growth. By commissioning this facility, we are investing in the future leaders of our community, ensuring they have the resources they need to excel academically and personally.”

The Trust’s initiatives complement the government’s nationwide push to prepare for the transition of Grade 9 learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). As part of this national effort, the government is constructing 18,000 new classrooms across the country to accommodate the growing student population.

According to the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE), schools with well-maintained facilities, like dining halls and kitchens, experience higher attendance rates, improved academic performance, and better overall student well-being.​Additionally, these facilities help promote better nutrition, which is linked to improved cognitive function, reduced absenteeism and enhanced overall academic outcomes.

In August, the Trust awarded undergraduate scholarships to 28 students from Bomet and Kericho counties, as well as two overseas master’s scholarships to individuals from Bomet and Kericho counties. Furthermore, in May, the Trust awarded forty students with TVET scholarships to study at Belgut Technical Training Institute and Konoin Technical Training Institute, allowing students in Bomet and Kericho counties to pursue a variety of courses including Automotive Engineering, Building & Construction, Electrical Installation, and Plumbing Technology, among others.

The Finlays Community Trust was officially launched in 2021 as an independent charitable trust to replace Finlays Charitable Trust. The Trust aims to empower communities and nurture sustainable growth in Kericho and Bomet Counties. To achieve this, the Trust has been guided by its mission to create sustainable, long-term impact by supporting a variety of projects and initiatives across the strategic pillars of education, infrastructure, health, and disaster relief. The Trust is funded collaboratively by both Browns Plantations Kenya and Finlays Extracts Kenya Limited.

ENDS.

About the Finlays Community Trust

The Finlays Community Trust is an independent charity that empowers communities and nurtures sustainable growth in Kericho and Bomet Counties. Funded by Browns Plantations Kenya (previously James Finlay Kenya) and Finlays Extracts Kenya Limited, the Trust aims to deliver maximum social, environmental, and economic benefits by taking a collaborative approach and appointing trustees who represent local communities, thus creating shared value. By partnering with the community, we ensure the Trust invests in and supports the projects and initiatives that have the most meaningful and enduring impact.

Contacts:

Zackayo Ochieng

Communication Officer Browns Plantations Kenya,

zackayo.ochieng@brownsplantations.co.ke or 0796438556

For further information please visit https://www.finlayscommunitytrust.co.ke/