While top performers and those who excel in various fields are celebrated with feasts and gifts in cash and kind, a community in Rarieda Sub County chose to celebrate excellent academic and co-curricular results of the local school through a cultural and sports extravaganza.
According to community members, Ojawa Comprehensive School, which is situated in Masala sub-location, West Uyoma location, has in the recent past been recording great academic results and representing the region in national drama and music festivals, courtesy of dedicated staff; hence, the decision to devote this year’s Ojawa annual cultural festival to them.
Speaking during the launch of the three-day extravaganza, the head teacher of the school, Ogwang’ Oluoch, hailed the community for the decision, which, he added, will help promote culture.
“They have seen many positive things that are happening in the school and it is a unique way of motivating teachers and learners,” said the head teacher.
Oluoch said the festival had come at the right time and will keep the youth busy, away from bad activities that may expose them to crime.
The secretary of the Ojawa annual cultural festival, Dave Okwiri said a total of 28 teams are taking part in the festival, with 12 teams vying for football honors.
Six teams will settle it out for volleyball honors, with a similar number competing in handball.
Okwiri said four teams will take part in netball tournament, adding that the winners will be awarded trophies, jerseys and other awards.
He said that the festival was part of the community efforts to supplement the competency-based curriculum by offering the local children and youth the chance to showcase their competencies in various fields.
He called on well-wishers to support Ojawa School, which, he said, was in dire need of infrastructure.
The festival chairman, Bob Opondo Ong’ow, said that apart from sports, they also included cultural events to help promote Luo culture amongst the children and youth.
“Ojawa School has done so well. Recently, the pupils were in Nyeri for the national drama and music festival. We wanted to encourage them to be happy about the achievement and do even better,” said the chairman, who also sent an appeal for support to the school.
By Philip Onyango
