When I was a kid, around 10 or 11 years old, life was simpler in some ways, but the world still felt big and unfair through the lens of our evening news. Back then, unlike today with endless social media feeds and 24/7 notifications, most families like mine got our updates from the radio or the local TV channels. Watching the 7 o'clock news was non-negotiable in our house. My dad would bark orders in Swahili: "Chukua hiyo remote na uweke habari!" (Grab that remote and switch to the news!). It was family ritual time.

Amid the usual stories, there were those heartbreaking reports from Turkana that stuck with me. You'd see footage of kids, barefoot and determined, trekking miles under the scorching sun just to fetch water from a distant, murky source. Then, more miles to "school," which was often nothing more than learning under a shady tree, with maybe one tiny building and no toilets in sight. The narrator's voice would paint a vivid picture: children and families in this marginalized region struggling daily. Basic things we took for granted, like books, pencils, or even simple toiletries, were luxuries there. I'd sit there, wide-eyed, wondering: Why isn't the government stepping in? Isn't there anyone who can help these kids who are suffering just because of where they were born?

It hit me hard back then, and honestly, it still does. These weren't just fleeting news clips; they highlighted a deep inequality. How could we expect a child in Turkana to compete in the same world as one growing up in a place like Limuru, with access to proper schools, clean water! And yet, year after year, the stories repeated without much change. The government talks big, NGOs pop in and out, but real, sustainable help often falls short.

That's why I'm so inspired by people like Raphael Otieno, who's turning compassion into action. Raphael isn't waiting for "someone else" to fix this, he's stepping up. He's launched a Zenlipa fundraising campaign to give the kids at Nyakwangat Primary School in Turkana West, Turkana County, a fighting chance. This isn't about pity; it's about equity. Every shilling counts, no matter how small, whether it's 100 bob from your M-Pesa or more if you can spare it. Your contribution directly funds tangible improvements that will transform the school and the lives of these children.

Here's exactly where the money will go:

• Building essentials: Semi-permanent classrooms to replace learning under trees, separate toilets for boys and girls (with privacy and hygiene in mind), a kitchen, and a store for supplies.
• Water solutions: A large rainwater storage tank, handwashing stations to promote health, and even digging a water pan to capture rain for the school's kitchen garden, growing veggies for nutrition and sustainability.
• Play and learning aids: Indoor and outdoor play equipment to make childhood fun and developmental, because kids deserve joy too.
• Sustainability features: Solar power installation for reliable electricity (think lights for evening study or charging basic tech), and tree planting for shade, greenery, and environmental benefits.

A cool partnership is already in place: Mary's Meals provides at least one nutritious meal a day, so the new kitchen will amplify that impact.

Let's make Nyakwangat Primary school in Turkana West, Turkana County a centre of knowledge and Learning for Life.

To contribute visit - Give Life Chances to Unfortunate Children of Turkana in Kenya.