By Maureen Mudi

Pupils at Destiny Gardens School in Mtongwe, Mombasa were a happy lot on the recent Idd holiday. The children gathered for a rare occasion — to meet strangers who were to donate food items and stationery to their institution.

After a long wait, several guests drove into the compound to welcoming applause from the crowd that had been eagerly waiting.

Most of the guests were strangers to each other but had raised money to buy the presents through the Internet networking site, Facebook.

Destiny Gardens School, Mombasa, pupils display their talents when well wishers donated food stuff and stationery. Photo: Maureen Mudi/Standard

A Standard Two pupil who entertained the guests with gospel songs, Dina Nyera, said she and her colleagues enjoyed themselves and got an opportunity to explore their talents.

"We were excited by their visit and learnt many things from the visitors that will help make us better people," she told Generation Next.

Dina, who is ranked as the most active student, got praise from teachers, fellow pupils and guests.

Isaac Otieno, who imitated Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s way of talking, says he gave the guests all his attention since it was a unique visit.

The Standard Two pupil says he freely interacted with the guests especially when it came to a football match that they played for about 30 minutes.

Abedi Sheh, also in Standard Two, was happy he had not stayed at home or joined his friends to go for swimming at the beach.

"I was not sure whether to come or not but our teachers had already told us not to miss although it was a public holiday. I was sleepy but still came," he says.

Sheh recited a poem about the coalition Government while a pupil from the school’s kindergarten displayed her catwalking skills with the help of students from the Mombasa Polytechnic.

Destiny Gardens School is a charity organisation that assists the destitute and has enrolled over 180 children.