By Charles Mkoka
The
Miriam Odemba Foundation has given vital financial support to Matumaini Primary
School, a Salvation Army-run institution that educates children with albinism
and physical disabilities.
For
Headteacher Mary Raphael Nyika, the donation was more than just a cheque – it
was a reminder that the children under her care are not forgotten.
She
described the gesture as a continuation of a meaningful bond between the
foundation and the school, built on a shared belief in nurturing talent and
changing lives for those who often feel pushed to the margins.
“We are grateful for this gesture and will
ensure the funds go directly to the children — the true beneficiaries,” she
said.
The
money was raised during the Sauti ya Mitindo Fashion Festival, where
Matumaini’s pupils made a striking appearance on the runway.
Their
presence drew unexpected applause and, more importantly, triggered spontaneous
contributions from supporters in the audience. School patron Mwalimu Ibra said
the pupils’ courage lit up the event and inspired generosity.
That
generosity, according to Captain Joseph Mtete, Director of the Salvation Army
centre that oversees the school, carries a weight far greater than its monetary
value.
“This foundation is a model to follow. What
may seem small to others is monumental to us,” he reflected, underlining how
much such support matters in an environment where resources are scarce but hope
runs deep.
The
foundation’s accountant, Rimaly Odemba, explained that the donation was the
result of the Saidia na Odemba campaign, driven by Miriam Odemba’s network of
friends and supporters.
To
her, the satisfaction lay not in the size of the contribution, but in the certainty
that it had reached the right children at the right moment. “We are grateful
that this support has reached the right children,” she said.
Matumaini
Primary currently has 247 pupils, many of them facing the daily challenges of
living with albinism or disabilities.
The funds will go towards tailoring fashion
outfits for the children, giving them the chance to explore their creativity
and walk a little taller in a world that too often overlooks them.
This
was never about a one-off donation. It was about visibility, confidence, and
showing young people that their talents matter.
And
for the Miriam Odemba Foundation, it was another step in a journey that is as
much about dignity as it is about opportunity.