Spare uniforms put to good use in Nairobi

15 March, 2024

After running the hugely successful mass vaccination centre during the pandemic, City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP) were left with a lot of surplus uniforms. Rather than sending them to landfill, these uniforms have been donated to the Swanland Education Africa Trust.

John and Shirley Waters from Swanland helped to set up the project supporting three schools in and around Nairobi and took the uniforms over on a recent trip. “The staff love their uniforms,” said Shirley. “Even the teachers wear them as Kenyan schools are quite dusty. The kitchen staff usually wear aprons so they are great for them and the students wear the white ones in the science labs.”

Lisa Carr, Assistant Director of People at CHCP explained that the uniforms weren’t needed for NHS staff anymore. “These were specifically provided by the Government for the mass vaccination centres and there were more than we could ever use in our services,” she said. “There are strict rules about disposing of NHS uniforms in this country so sending them to Kenya where they could be put to good use seemed the best option.”

As a social enterprise, CHCP is always keen to make a positive social impact. Group Chief Executive Andrew Burnell said, “It’s great to know that not only can we improve the lives of people in the communities where we work, but that a simple donation of uniforms can have a big effect on children and teachers thousands of miles away.”

There’s more about Swanland Education Africa Trust here: www.swanlandschoolnairobi.org