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Wall of Fame Unveiled in Eldoret to Immortalise Athletics Stars

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International Girl Child Day, African Girl and Education

Girl Day is celebrated every year on October 11 as an opportunity to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by girls around the world, especially in Africa, and the importance of providing them with quality education. In this article, we explore the Day's importance in the context of education in Africa, the challenges faced by girls, and initiatives aimed at improving their access to education. Education is a human right and the basis of personal and social development. However, African girls often face many barriers that prevent them from accessing education. These issues may be cultural, economic or political, but they all contribute to gender inequality in education. Girls' Day provides an opportunity to address these issues and work for gender equality in education.One of the most important problems faced by girls in Africa is early marriage and pregnancy. Cultural norms in many African societies dictate that girls should marry at a young age, often forcing them to drop out of school. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive sex education can lead to unintended pregnancies, further hindering their educational progress. Initiatives that raise awareness about the importance of delaying marriage and pregnancy until after completing their education are crucial.Another major obstacle is poverty. Many families in Africa struggle to meet basic needs, and education can be costly due to expenses like uniforms, books, and transportation. Girls are often the first to be withdrawn from school when a family faces financial constraints. To address this issue, scholarships, school donation programs, and affordable school supplies can help reduce the financial burden on families and support girls' education.Additionally, especially in rural areas, the distance to school will prevent girls from going to school. Unsafe travel and long distances can put them at risk. Building more schools and providing transportation closer to communities could help solve this problem. In many African countries, boys are expected to be encouraged in education and girls are expected to work within the family. It is important to change these attitudes and promote the value of girls' education. Social awareness programs and inclusive education programs that challenge stereotypes can play a key role.Child labor is another problem affecting girls. Many girls have to work to support their families, leaving little time for education. Government policies and international organizations can work to eliminate child labor and ensure girls have the opportunity to go to school.Unfortunately, conflicts and conflict in many parts of Africa have disrupted education and made it difficult for girls to access education. Efforts to build peace and improve education in post-conflict regions are critical to providing girls with a stable and safe learning environment.One of the best ways to improve educational opportunities for girls in Africa is to support and train female teachers. Many female teachers can act as role models and make it easier for girls to stay in school by creating an inclusive environment.Investing in girls' education in Africa has many long-term benefits. It can break the cycle of poverty, improve women's health, and promote gender equality. Girls who receive an education are more likely to make informed decisions about their health, family, and career. They are also more likely to become financially independent and contribute to their communities and economies. Several organizations, both local and international, are actively working to improve the education of girls in Africa. Plan International, UNICEF, and the Malala Fund are just a few examples. They provide resources, advocacy, and support to ensure that girls have equal access to quality education.In conclusion, Girl Child Day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by girls in Africa when it comes to education. The challenges they face are many and include cultural barriers, financial constraints, and gender stereotypes. But through a combination of advocacy, policy change, and organizational efforts, progress can be made to ensure that girls receive a quality education just like boys. Investing in girls' education is not only a human rights issue but also a key driver of economic growth in Africa. This is something worth celebrating and encouraging on Girls' Day and every day.

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Eldoret, the City of Champions, has unveiled a wall of fame to honour Kenyan athletes. In the event held at the Eka Hotel in the heart of Eldoret on 24th September 2023, athletic stars were immortalised in a wall of fame meant to celebrate their achievements.

Eldoret Town, located in the North Rift region of Kenya, is the home of global athletics champions. Most iconic stars gracing athletics events hail from the area and call Eldoret their hometown. Thus, having a wall of fame in the town was indeed a great idea.

The unveiling of the wall of fame happened on Sunday as Eliud Kipchoge once again reigned in the Berlin marathon. Eliud Kipchoge and other world beaters participate in Marathons, World Cross Country, the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, etc.

Indeed, having a wall of fame specifically for athletic stars is commendable. In the past, athletes have graced the tracks but eventually retired and disappeared, not to be remembered. The wall of fame will keep their names alive long after their careers end.

A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.

Robert Heinlein, American author (1907-1988)

As already stated, the wall of fame was unveiled at the Eka Hotel. It’s strategically located at the Rupa Mall-based hotel’s reception. This ensures it catches the attention of everyone visiting the hotel. This will help ensure the athletes are retired but remembered years later.

Uasin Gishu Governor H.E Jonathan Bii Chelilim and the German Ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, graced the event. The event host was Eka Hotel’s General Manager John Kanyi, who told the guests what the wall of fame meant to Eldoret.

According to GM Mr. John Kanyi, Eka Hotel the Wall of Fame is worth it. He mentioned that it was vital to recognize the rich athletics heritage of the North Rift. Besides, he stated that the hotel wanted to set up a section to showcase the exceptional success of Kenyan athletes.

In addition to honoring the top athletes, the Wall of Fame will inspire young and aspiring athletes. The Wall of Fame will also showcase the stories of those featured to ensure visitors learn more about them. It’ll also position the region as a sports tourism hub.

At the time of the launch, the wall of fame already had pictures of most athletics stars erected on it. One of the notable athletes already featured on the wall is the legendary Kipchoge Keino, who also has a stadium named after him a few kilometers from the hotel.

Other athletes featured on it are coach Patrick Sang, Eliud Kipchoge, Ezekiel Kemboi, Moses Tanui, Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chepkoech, David Rudisha, Rosemary Wanjiru, Leah Malot, and Irene Cheptai. These are athletes who’ve excelled in a wide range of disciplines.

However, according to the Eka Hotel management, there is more to the list. More is yet to come as there are a whole lot of other stars who are yet to be featured on the wall of fame. Soon, they will ensure all the athletes who fly the Kenyan flag are featured.

After erecting the athletes’ pictures, the hotel plans to take the project to a new level. There are plans to install digital displays to showcase every featured athlete’s biography, achievements, and records. Memorabilia and artifacts will also be added to it.

But then, remembering that this wall of fame for athletes isn’t the first one in Eldoret is worth remembering. In August, on the sidelines of the devolution conference held in Eldoret, President William Ruto unveiled the first wall of fame in town in the newly built Eldoret Arboretum.

President Ruto Unveils Wall of Fame at Eldoret Arboretum

The iconic structure facing the Eldoret-Iten road is divided into four categories. This includes a category for Olympic champions, another for Marathon greats, World Cross Country champions, and World Champions. It honors both legendary and elite athletes.

The unveiling of the Eldoret Arboretum’s wall of fame was attended by athletics stars like Eliud Kipchoge and Tecla Chemabwai. They all commended the county government for appreciating athletes’ efforts to ensure the Kenyan flag always flies high.

The Walls of Fame coming up in Eldoret Town is a great initiative. They will ensure that history is never forgotten. Also, they will immortalise the athletes’ names, motivate young athletes to work harder and leave a mark on the national and global stages.

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