Hope in Action (IHOPEE), a United States–based organisation, is supporting learning in under-resourced Kenyan schools through a program that provides desks, books, and other essential learning materials to students who lack basic classroom resources.
IHOPEE is implementing the Equip a Library initiative to address challenges faced by schools where students often study without adequate furniture or learning materials.
According to the organisation, many of the beneficiary schools lack desks, lockers, tables, and chairs, forcing pupils to sit on the floor during lessons. The intervention aims to improve learning conditions by supplying furniture and educational resources to targeted schools.
“Beneficiaries of this program face challenges such as a lack of furniture, lockers, desks, tables, and the pupils sit on the floor,” IHOPEE President, Rose Oginga, told The Kenya Times.
Under the current distribution drive, each school supported by the program is expected to benefit about 100 students.
School selection is carried out through collaboration with government administrators, community officials, and local leaders who help identify institutions facing the most pressing needs.
The program distributes a range of items, including desks, tables, chairs, textbooks, pens, sanitary towels for girls, school uniforms, and inner clothing.
“We reach out through the government administration, Community officials, and leaders,” Oginga noted.
Organisers say access to textbooks allows students to study more effectively, while desks and chairs create comfortable spaces for reading and writing. The provision of sanitary towels and uniforms also helps restore confidence among learners, particularly girls.
Beyond infrastructure and materials, the organisation also supports learning aligned with Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) through the provision of revision materials, scholarships, fee support, and other basic assistance.
IHOPEE Books Distribution in Kenyan Schools
On February 20, 2026, the organisation conducted a book donation program at Masala Mixed Secondary School in Uyoma, Siaya County.
The initiative distributed textbooks, novels, storybooks, and reference materials to 50 students.
Later on February 21, 2026, IHOPEE volunteers visited Fr Scheffer High School in Ndhiwa Sub-County, Homa Bay County, where books were donated to support students.
The school is a private Catholic institution run by the Franciscan Sisters of St Joseph and operates under the Catholic Diocese in Homa Bay County.
During the visit, volunteers noted that the school faces several infrastructure challenges, including inadequate classrooms, temporary dormitories, and limited dining facilities.
Students currently use pit latrines that frequently fill during heavy rains because the school sits on swampy land, creating sanitation concerns.
“The students use pit latrines that fill up, especially during the heavy rains. This is because the school is on swampy land. It requires raised permanent structures to curb the problem,” the organisation reported.
The school is also about one kilometre from the main road, and access becomes difficult during rainy seasons due to muddy paths.
Despite these challenges, volunteers observed that the school has growth potential, supported by farming activities such as maize, beans, and vegetable production aimed at generating income and supporting school feeding programs.
Nagum Primary School also benefited from the donation of desks, tables, and books aimed at improving the learning environment.
In a letter of appreciation, the school’s administration said the furniture had helped reduce classroom congestion and enabled students to sit comfortably during lessons.
“The arrival of the new desks, tables, and books has transformed our learning environment. For a school like ours, these are not merely pieces of furniture or stacks of paper; they are the essential tools that provide our children with dignity and resources they deserve,” the school wrote.
The school further noted that the books had strengthened literacy programs and increased student interest in reading.
Administrators said the intervention had provided learners with essential tools and encouraged them to focus on their studies.
Other Key Achievements:
- Fr. Scheffer High School: Orphans now have access to stable learning resources and a pathway to education.
- Masala High School: Students’ potential is unlocked through provision of essential materials and supportive classroom environments.
- Nagum Primary School: Empty classrooms have been transformed into vibrant spaces with desks, books, and learning materials. (CLICK ON THE LINK TO VIEW)
Expanding Support to More Schools
Teachers, students, and parents from beneficiary schools have expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that many families and communities struggle to meet the full educational needs of students.
Also Read: KMTC Student Donates Money to Support Needy Colleague
“We are very grateful to IHOPEE for the desks, books, and learning materials; they are really helpful to us,” said a student.
Organisers say requests for support continue to come from different communities, and the program aims to expand its outreach to more schools facing similar challenges.
Through continued partnerships and community engagement, the organisation hopes to improve access to basic learning resources and support educational development in underserved areas.
Acknowledgments:
Support has been provided by Jokanyanam Women Empowerment Sacco, Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club, TikTok Friends, IHOPEE Organization (USA/KE), St. Mark Catholic Church, and Olmoran. Their contributions have enabled the creation of libraries, provision of classroom furniture, and literacy programs that benefit hundreds of students.
Why Ongoing Support Matters:
Sustained contributions allow for:
- Replacement and maintenance of desks and classroom furniture
- Expansion of library collections and digital resources
- Continued teacher training and literacy programs
- After-school tutoring and parental engagement initiatives
Transparency and Accountability:
Regular progress and financial reports track:
- Books and library resources provided
- Student engagement and classroom participation
- Attendance, retention trends, and teacher training outcomes
Call to Action:
Every donation helps put a book in a child’s hand and a desk under their dreams. Contributions support libraries, classroom essentials, and literacy advocacy, directly impacting student retention, literacy, and future prospects.
Three Schools. Hundreds of Dreams. One Simple Need: Desks and Books.
- Fr. Scheffer High School (Nyabola, Ndhiwa) – Orphans waiting for hope
- Masala High School (Rarieda) – Potential without resources
- Nagum Primary School (Laikipia West) – Young minds, empty classrooms
Support through the channels outlined in the poster can transform classrooms and futures. Together, communities can make a lasting difference in education.
