Rural schools shine in Pwani Oil's Sawa national essay writing competition

By Peter Ochieng

Pupils from schools in rural Kenya have emerged top in the 2nd edition of the Pwani Oil's Sawa essay national writing competition.

Some 7,361 schools across 42 counties participated in the competition, which was conducted in partnership with the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association (KEPSHA).

Ashley Michelle from Nyeri, Joel Chelot from West Pokot, Carol Shelmith Makena from Embu, Deborah Wanjiku from Nairobi and Isabella Amanda from Isiolo, emerged as the top five overall national winners.

The five were feted during the Sawa essay awards ceremony held at Pwani Oil's Kikambala plant, Mombasa County, this week.

They each received a 3-day fully paid trip to Mombasa, including a first-hand experience of Pwani Oil’s Kikambala Plant.

They also received certificates, trophies and assorted gifts from the award’s key partners Sawa, Trufoods, Kartasi Brand and Umoja Rubbers.

The ceremony was graced by the Ministry of Education's quality assurance and standards assistant Director, Eliud Wambua, who represented Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.

“It is through such competitions that we test the quality of education our children receive in their respective institutions. Therefore, we must never stop challenging our pupils to think over and above their classrooms. This strengthens and expands their thinking capacity and prepares them for better opportunities in the near future," said Wambua.

Pwani Oil's Commercial Director Rajul Malde said, “We believe in the power of ideas and the strength of the written word. Through this competition, we sought to ignite the flames of creativity and inspire the next generation of thinkers and storytellers."

In its second edition, the competition targeted grades 6 and 7 pupils who focused on the theme: "Roses are red and violets are blue, color the world to reflect you."