Guruve villagers appeal for bridge over Chourura

Mash West Bureau
VILLAGERS in Nekati Communal Lands under Chief Bepura in Guruve are asking for Government to intervene and build a bridge over Chourura River to enable scores of their children to attend school all year round. Pupils in lower grades and Early Child Development (ECD) school do not attend school for the greater part of the first term and only start attending lesson around April when the Chourura River would have subsided.

In an interview, village head Mr Jason Nekati said every year the river gives the villagers problems. He said in many cases villagers had to help their children cross to school in the morning and in the afternoon, while at the pick of the rainy season, the river become impassible. “In the third term, depending on how quick the rains come, our children go or do not go to school.

“But it is a sure case that during the first term our children do not attend school. Pupils in senior grades might go here and there, but that will be on a few occasions. The sure case is that all those in lower grades will not go. The river is always in flood and it poses a danger to the children,” he said. Mr Nekati said a bridge or a satellite school would be more ideal.

“All we want is for our children to attend school all year round. The Government and well-wishers can help with either constructing of the bridge or establishing a satellite school. As a community we are prepared to play our part either way,” said Mr Nekati.

He said avoiding the river makes the school 16km away, a distance which no pupil can afford to travel and still attend lessons. “Every parent here dreads to rainy season. It is the worst time for parents. You want to work in the fields, yet at the same time you are thinking of what time the children will have to cross the river. At the height of the rains, you work with your children in the fields, knowing fully well that their age mates are in school learning.

You fear for the future of your child. You know you child might not pass. In fact, it will be a miracle for your child to be in top 15 in school,” he said.