The 2nd edition of the Pwani Oil Sawa Essay National writing competition has wrapped up, and guess who stole the show? Pupils from rural schools across Kenya! Can you believe it? This epic competition, organized in collaboration with the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association (KEPSHA), is all about refining the lives of communities by nurturing the creative writing and thinking skills of our talented pupils.

Out of a whopping 7,361 schools from 42 counties that participated, five outstanding individuals emerged as the cream of the crop. Let’s give a big round of applause to Ashley Michelle from Nyeri, Joel Chelot from West Pokot, Carol Shelmith Makena from Embu, Deborah Wanjiku from Nairobi, and Isabella Amanda from Isiolo. You guys rock! But wait, there can only be one overall winner, and that honor goes to Ashley Michelle from Nyeri. Congratulations, Ashley, you’re a superstar!

To celebrate their incredible achievement, these talented wordsmiths were treated to a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to the magnificent city of Mombasa. And that’s not all—during their stay, they got an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Pwani Oil’s Kikambala Plant. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience! On top of that, they received certificates, trophies, and an assortment of awesome gifts from our fantastic partners: Sawa, Trufoods, Kartasi Brand, and Umoja Rubbers. It was a true celebration of talent, creativity, and achievement!

The prestigious Sawa Essay Awards Ceremony, held at Pwani Oil’s Kikambala plant in Mombasa County, was graced by none other than Mr. Eliud Wambua, the Ministry of Education Quality Assurance and Standards Assistant Director. Mr. Wambua represented the esteemed Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu. His presence added an extra layer of importance and recognition to this grand event.

In his heartfelt speech, Mr. Wambua congratulated the winners and applauded the key stakeholders for their dedication and support in advancing the education agenda in our beloved country. He emphasized the significance of competitions like this, which test the quality of education our children receive and push them to expand their horizons beyond the confines of their classrooms. After all, we want our pupils to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and dream chasers who are ready to seize the opportunities that await them in the future. Bravo!

Now, let’s take a moment to give a shout-out to the main sponsor of this year’s competition—Pwani Oil’s Sawa Bathing Soap! They deserve a standing ovation for their commitment to empowering the next generation of thinkers and storytellers. Sawa Bathing Soap comes in six delightful variants: Rose, Original, Herbal, Strawberry, Lemon + Honey, and the latest addition, Sawa Chocolate. Talk about a bathing experience fit for champions!

Rajul Malde, the Commercial Director of Pwani Oil, shared his excitement during the award ceremony, saying, “At Sawa, we believe in the power of ideas and the strength of the written word. This competition was our way of igniting creativity and inspiring the next generation. And let me tell you, the brilliance and passion displayed in the essays we received blew us away! Congratulations to all the winners, and rest assured, we will continue to support dreams and refine lives through our amazing products and services.”

Johnson Nzioka, the National Chairman of KEPSHA, also took the stage to congratulate the winners. He praised the exceptional essays, highlighting how each one showcased the potential within every individual to shape our society and drive positive change. These talented writers reminded us of the power of empathy, critical thinking, and creativity. Their words have the potential to influence policies, shape opinions, and inspire generations to come. It’s safe to say that they have a bright future ahead of them, and with the support of their schools and KEPSHA, they’ll have all the tools they need to make their dreams a reality. Keep soaring, young ones!

In its second edition, the competition targeted grade 6 and 7 pupils, challenging them to color the world with their unique perspectives on the theme “Roses are Red, and Violets are Blue, Color the world to reflect you.” The goal was to sharpen their creative writing and thinking skills, and boy, did they rise to the occasion!

These talented youngsters have shown us that when it comes to imagination, creativity, and originality, there are no boundaries. Their essays transported us to new worlds, made us question our beliefs, and filled us with hope for a better tomorrow. They are the shining stars of our education system, and we can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in the years to come.