Speak It Out: First Edition

by Thomas Bwire

The center was filled with youthful faces, all waiting in anticipation for the day’s afternoon session that was going to be the first of its kind in our programs. This came timely as majority of the kids in different programs were now on holiday and home from their respective schools.

It’s five minutes past 3pm as scheduled on the program and small murmurs in low tones could be heard outside the sitting bay where benches were neatly arranged and filled up by the participants. Being one of the moderators of the session, with Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew Muema, we took charge of the program by introductory remark  and making every one present feel at ease since it was a day specifically to speak out their minds on one of the key topical issues in life, "Choosing a Career."

The number of the adolescent in attendance was 58 for the first session of “Speak It Out.” Speak It Out is a new project that brings in guest speakers to engage and motivate youth ages 14 and up about issues that are important to them.

Today's topic touched on best choices for university admission, how to choose your future career and what it takes to succeed in the soccer field. Our first speaker Charle gave an inspiration talk on what it takes to be a good academic scholar and on choosing the right course when one wants to join campus.

Charles addressing the group

Charles also encouraged the participation of all participants wanting to know how one can join campus to pursue their dream courses. Different aspects were presented by Charles whom also shared a little bit of his experience which ended to be very motivational.

The second speaker was someone who is viewed as a soccer guru and seen by many as a hero. Godfrey Otieno, known by many here as Solo, shared his experiences of what it takes to excel in the soccer industry. The majority of those present followed keenly and wanted to get a better understanding of skills needed to succeed in the soccer industry. The talk revolved around his experience and how he started playing soccer at a young age.

Solo discusses how to develop a career out of talents

Solo explained that he would always play with his friends and whenever he noticed her mother passing by in the field, he would enact all the tactful moves so as to get noticed and also get support. His passion has seen him travel to many African countries as a player and he has also played for the national team, Harambee Stars.

Finally, the speakers were able to answer some of the questions from all the participants.  Each of the participants filled out an evaluation form to provide their feedback for future sessions, which will take place every month.  Participants appreciated the new initiative and requested to learn more about topics such as drug and alcohol addition, family breakup, relationships, peer pressure, and drugs. The session came to a close with snacks for everyone involved.

Today's Entrepreneurs

by Rebecca Musanga and Thomas Bwire

Have you ever wondered why some businesses thrive and end up being big companies? And have you ever asked yourself why some big companies end up to their downfall? Well the answer to a better managed business entity is through proper planning, undertaking a market research to understand its need.

November 3rd 2012 was a day set aside by Barclays bank staff that came all the way to Kibera to undertake a community service among the children of Uweza Foundation.  Their mission was to teach and mentor youths aged between ages 12-23 on life skills, financial skills, and entrepreneurship skills. Despite the chilly and rainy muddy day, all the participants both from the Barclay’s team and Uweza had the energy to go all the way. Sessions were organized for different age groups in some of the classes at Toi Primary School.

Uweza youth ages 12-14 received mentorship on life skills from Barclays staff members

The older youth were taken through the fundamentals of growing a small business with as little capital as 1,000 Kenyan Shillings and the major points that are essential for business growth.  One of the major factors one should consider in starting a business is the demand of product. Second is the package, available market and quality of the product. These factors play a big role because many people consciously or unconsciously buy things not because they need them but because they saw them and were attracted to them.

To become a good entrepreneur, one needs to be bold and good in negotiating skills, social, persuasive, determined and goal oriented. At the end, the greatest investment one can ever make is in the people themselves and not in the machines. With the help of some of the facilitators like Ramesh Kavil, Charity Kimathi and Francis Mwango, the group of older youths were now able to understand how things work in the real business world.

Ramesh Kayil of Barclays leads a lesson to Uweza youth ages 19-23

An in-depth interview with the Barclays Africa, Chief Operating Officer (BA, COO) Mr. Eric Modave noted that Africa is still the best place for market investment opportunities that can easily target the youth. “Youth comprise of a bigger population though we see many disparities among them, and that’s why Barclays is here to support youth ideas and possible ways of creating new jobs for them” noted Eric. 

Eric Modave teaching youth ages 15-18 about Africa's potential for entrepreneurship growth

 The Chief Operating Officer also added the need to embrace technology advancement in this area since most youths own mobile handsets that can hasten use of mobile banking, call centers, and internet use.  To put all the theories taught into practice, a section of the youths were divided into groups of three and each given a Ksh.1000 to purchase some clothes at the nearby Toi Market with an aim of selling to make profit. This had to be done within a time frame of 1 hour.

Organizing their goods purchased at the market

Upon their return to the event, some shops were opened and business took center stage as Barclays staff members bought some of the clothes displayed and gifted them to younger kids who had emerged winners in a dancing competition that was held.

Dancing competition winners with their new clothing donations

“I feel much different now, and I am thinking of possible ways I can start a small business one day,” were Ali Juma's sentiments.  While Dennis Odhiambo, age 19, also appreciates the few learned entrepreneurship skills that he had never given a thought to before.  Thank you to Barclays for their support in making this great day possible!

Always aim higher

by Mathew Muema

Last Saturday’s weather proved many of us wrong, as the chilly temperature were not friendly to what we are used here. In most cases our weather is warmer, but today was rains pouring at intervals. Anyway, that didn’t deter me from accomplishing  my mission for the day as planned trip to Meru was still on. The journey takes around 5hours for a distance of more than 200 kilometers. This is one of the counties in Kenya that boosts of growing plenty of coffee and tea due to the high attitude and famously known to export khat (miraa).

My destination was St Lucy High School, a boarding school for the visually impaired, to pay a school visit of one our sponsored student Cyrus Renji. The journey went well without any hitches and upon arrival at the school, Cyrus was there to welcome me.

My visit ended up to sharing experiences of how Cyrus has been managing while at the school four years down the line after he became blind. He still remembers the experience and that has not pulled him down but has been an inspiration for him to work hard in his studies.

 Cyrus notes, with a smile,  that was it not for Uweza, then his life would have taken another twist. “I still value important people who came into my life at that time like Mark (Cyrus' sponsor),  Jen (Uweza Managing Director) and you Mathew for being like a big brother and helping me to get everything I need. This support has changed my perspective and I feel okay till today, ” Cyrus tells me.

He still has some challenges that he has had to cope, which he opened up to me about. " I used to enjoy playing and watching soccer but right now I can’t do any of that.  I am also an athlete but if I wish to run right now I need a guide to run. But swimming I can still do it the same way. The other challenge I am experiencing at the moment is that I am still learning how to use Braille. My speed is low but with time hopefully I will manage, “notes Cyrus.

From left: Uweza Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew Muema, Cyrus Renji, and Cyrus' class teacher Mr. Kinoti

Cyrus class teacher really appreciates his hard work considering that he was not born with the disability and that it just caught up with him as a growing student. He can do well and he has commendable discipline while at school.

As the day came to an end, I must say I had a good day in the company of Cyrus, who is a story teller.  One can never get bored in his company. His still thankful and thoughtful of the person who is assisting to paying his school fees and will continue to devote all is energy to doing well in his studies.

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Mathew Muema is Uweza's wonderful Sponsorship Coordinator who regularly travels to all ends of Kenya to make sure that our sponsored students are well taken care of.

Empowering today's generation

by Thomas Bwire

“Teacher! teacher! I know the answer,” is what I get to hear as I arrive in one of the classroom hosting the pupils undertaking their evening remedial classes. The session is on and one of the teachers, Isaiah Apondi is carrying our some revision on one of the taught subjects science.

Today’s session is about the environment, things that surround us where we all live. “Yes I need someone to tell me what the definition of the word environment is?" asks teacher Isaiah to his participating pupils in his class. At this point I see almost the whole class raise their hands hoping they will be picked to answer the asked question.

A section of the pupils participating in the lesson

Teacher Isaiah is one of the teachers working for Uweza and he teaches primary children different school taught subjects. Session are carried out during the week after the normal school program, where pupils come from different respective schools and engage one to one with the teachers.  The goal is to help pupils to have an understanding of  the subjects taught while at school and also as a supplement to their academic work.

Checking over students books

A discussion with teacher Isaiah reveals that he tries to help all the pupils come to the same level in terms of what they learn while in school, since they all come from different respective local schools around. His passion is to see pupils do well in school and that more emphasis is invested in their end of the term exams.

Pupils keenly following the lesson

“Here we give an opportunity for each child to approach the teacher with any need and we supplement by assisting so that by the end of the day, they can do well in their studies. We act as a bridge between their schools just by supplementing what might have been left out,” notes teacher Isaiah.

His parting shot is that being a teacher is a calling.  He would like to encourage anyone willing to get into the teaching industry that a teacher’s fulfillment is to share knowledge to the generations and see them prosper into young responsible citizens once they ae through with their academic studies. And with that, I was done with teacher Isaiah and stole a few moments to get good photos of him interacting with his class.

My Story: Yvonne Chanzu Jandi.

By Yvonne Chanzu Jandi.

"My Story" gives beneficiaries of Uweza programs the opportunity to tell their own story about their experience with Uweza.  Today's story is written by  Yvonne Chanzu Jandi, a 13 year-old student participating in Uweza's after-school tutoring program since May.  She plans to become an engineer and also wants us to know that she loves her best friend, Catherine Achieng.

My name is Vyonne Chanzu Jandi. I live in Kibera Kambi Muru near Darajani village. I live with my mother who is a single mother. At the age of 10, I lost my father and my mother has been the one taking good care of us. I am 13 years old and in class seven at Kibera primary school.

Yvonne Chanzu Jandi

I used to look for a place where I can settle my mind well after school and learn many things that I have never understood in the class.  When I heard my friends talking about the good things that Uweza Foundation has done for them, I tried to look for a way that I can talk to my friends because I was so desperate to join the Uweza Foundation.

Getting help on her homework from Uweza teacher Isaiah

I decided to talk to them and they directed me how to get a registration form. I took the form to my mother and we filled it together. She was so happy and encouraged me to join the tuition program at Uweza Foundation.

Yvonne, left, with her best friend Catherine

Uweza has led me to become a very nice person. It has led me to a life that I never imagined. The tuition program has helped me improve my marks from 250 to 300 marks. I have always prayed that I can pass my compositions so that I can help the needy in my country and I know that I will pass my examinations come the end of the year in the name of the great God.  I am sure Uweza will make my dreams come true.

Getting ready for the exams

by Thomas Bwire

They all sat quietly in one of the rooms at the center as they read through their continuous assessment exams, given by Uweza to monitor the effectiveness of our after-school tuition. These are some of the students who are high school candidates making final preparations for their exams. After four years of hard work in high school, candidates are required to undertake a national Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam that determines their life path. The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) is the examination body in Kenya is mandated to examine students at their last year of their studies, be it in primary and high school.

I got to interact with some of the candidates taking advantage of the Uweza center to study and get to know how they have adequately prepared to handle exams which are already on–going.

Edmond Bwire, Francis Namale, and John Kidagwa are some of the high school students who study at Uweza's center

Edmond Bwire Peter, aged 19 years old, is a candidate at Langata High School, and notes that he has been reading hard to be well prepared for the national exams. “I have been working with groups of fellow students for revision purposes, ” notes Edmond. His dream is to become an aeronautical engineer.

Francis Namale, aged 19 years old, also a form four student at Jeremic Adventist Academy is  optimistic that all will be well. He says that he been doing lots of revision and the teachers strike at the beginning of the school term will not affect his performance. "These exams mean a lot to my life and I want to join campus to study computer science since technology advancement keeps having an impact on our lives and there is need to embrace it,” are Francis sentiments.

Francis Namale taking the Uweza tuition continuous assessment exam

John Kidagwa, aged 18 years old, is motivated to become a business entrepreneur  “My motivation comes from my late father, and that’s why I have to work hard and pass my exams well."

John Kidagwa

In total, ten students from Uweza's programs are taking the exams this year. From the Uweza family, we want to wish all candidates sitting for their national exams success and may their life desires be realized come next year!

Quest for Knowledge

by William Ochieng

A famous scholar once said ‘if you want to go far, go alone and if you want to go further, go with people.’  This quote is relevant during the three week long teachers strike that paralyzed learning in all public schools countrywide. Despite the teachers’ strike, students need not sleep on their knee to search for excellence to better their lives.

In the Kibera slums a group of eight young students both high school and primary used to converge at the Uweza Foundation center to discuss mathematics, English, chemistry and other subjects.  One of the students stands up who is bright in mathematics and shows the rest how a sum is tackled when brought in the question paper. He leads the rests step by step on the methods and formula followed to arrive at the answer.

After that, each one them is assigned to bring similar questions.  They then discuss other subjects like English and the rest.  What I discovered was that the students made sure that each understood well the concept, and if you are a slow learner, sessions are more repetitive in order to tackle the problem.

I posed a question to one of the boys “Has the teachers strike brought an end to learning?"  His take was that with or without the teachers' presence, learning must continue.  The teachers work, he said, is only to supplement and much of the work that should be done by the student himself.

All of the students aspire to be engineers, pilots, doctors, lawyers, etc. and they are determined to meet their goals.  I advise them that in order to succeed, they must work entirely in all subjects so that they join better campuses and colleges both locally and abroad to study.  I noticed that the students are motivated to succeed to fulfill their dreams and I was happy with the ideas and encouraged them to forge ahead.

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William Ochieng joined Uweza as an intern in September 2011.  After receiving a diploma in Community Development in September 2012, he joined the Uweza team full time as our Administrator.

Rescue in time of need

by Thomas Bwire

It’s just past 5pm and I decided to pay a visit Uweza's tuition center, where primary school children from different programs go for extra evening tutorial classes. Upon my arrival, I get to visit one of the three classes in session with teacher Isaiah Apondi, who teaches students in classes 4, 5, and 6.  Students in classes 1-3 and 7-8 are in different classrooms.  This class is full with pupils all sitting attentively as they listen to the teacher. Some wore their school uniform, while others wore home clothes. The on-going teachers strike has taken a toll on the school schedule, since no classes have taken place from last week as teachers demand a pay rise before going back to class. (See recent Uweza blog post on the strike here).

Students in Classes 4, 5, and 6 eagerly participating in the day's lesson

All the children from public schools have now been forced to stay at home and instead seek alternative ways of keeping on track on their academic progress. I was lucky to work hand in hand with one of the journalism members and high school student Jennipher Awour, who interviewed one of the pupils as part of a learning experience in learning interview skills. She was forced to come back home from her boarding school three days after she reported due to the on-going teachers strike.

Caroline Kibiego, a class five pupil from Raila Educational Centre, says she cannot miss evening classes at the center, since no learning is taking place at their school. “Here the teacher has been able to assist me in subjects like Mathematics, Social Studies, English, Science and Kiswahili” notes Caroline.

Thomas Bwire surveys the packed classroom

While for Erick Omwega, also a class five pupil at Ayany Primary School, his sentiments are somehow strong and the on-going teachers strike is not a good sign for him. All he can say is that, “I would like the government to engage our teachers so that we can go back to school soon. At the moment, I am happy that Uweza tuition program is still on and has motivated many of us in revising our school work,” notes Erick with a smile at the end.

Journalism Club member Jenipher Awuor interviews Class 5 student Erick Omwega

An interview with Uweza teacher Isaiah Apondi reveals that the number of children attending their evening classes has tripled and this has now forced them to engage more in revision of past exam papers. “The strike has surely affected many children and the number of children coming here keeps increasing day by day,” says teacher Isaiah. 

The bigger challenge now is whether the government will engage teachers in a dialogue to avert the strike or pupils will still be forced to read on their own as end year national exams for candidates, scheduled to occur in November, approach.  The day could not end before pupils asked to take a group photo with their teacher, perhaps to remind them of the memories of their sessions and bonding while their teachers on still on strike.

Teacher Isaiah with his class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Brighter Tomorrow

by Thomas Bwire

It’s just after 5.30pm on a Wednesday and the children all sitting on the benches in one of the Uweza tuition classrooms look busy. Some can be seen writing part of work given by the teacher in charge. While for some, its porridge time besides having to keep up with given tasks. 

Students completing an assignment

The children are sitting on brown  wooden benches in the classroom made of iron sheets.  After looking around the classroom set up, one can easily see some of the teaching aids on manila paper neatly hanged on the wall and some hanging across the roof.

At one of the corners is the teacher Harriet Luvaga, who in charge, and she is checking through some of the books of the children present. The day’s session is meant for revision of the just concluded middle of the term exams that most of the children had done from their respective schools the previous week.

Teacher Harriet with some of her students

A chat with Trizah Achieng, a standard two student who goes to school at Kibera Primary School, reveals that she loves to come to the evening tuition program because she loves to read a lot. “Here the teacher helps me to get to know how to read better,” says Trizah.  These sentiments are also echoed by Francisa Maloba who attends school at Tunza School and is also in standard two. She also loves coming to the tuition program to get time to read and get assisted to read better.

Teacher Harriet at work

While interviewing teacher Harriet I learn that she handles classes of children from baby class up to standard three pupils. In a normal day, she has to look for a general topic that cuts across all grade levels so that it becomes easier for all the children to understand. “You need to bring your understanding to a lower level of the kids so that by the end of the day, you have one thing that can be memorable to them.  This is because most of the kids a had a long day at their respective schools .” 

The main aim of the tuition program is to help each child get better in their school grades and help with their homework so that by end of the school term, there is a slight difference in terms their grades and they have learned more from their school education.

Students enjoying a cup of porridge

This program normally runs from 4pm to 6.30pm during the week and on weekends, kids get to rest.  With Uweza’s objective, investing in the community to alleviate poverty, the future of these youngsters is gradually growing to a brighter tomorrow.

Cooking is my passion

by Thomas Bwire

Meet Patience Masaku, age 15, whose dream is to become a top chef in the near future. Dressed in a white apron, I find her busy in the kitchen where she is currently preparing a meal of spaghetti for lunch together with two of her classmates. Their tutor is closely monitoring the on-goings.  I steal a few moments to take a few photos of her, so as to create ample time for our interview.

Patience is one of the beneficiaries of Uweza sponsorship program, which is on its first year of supporting students who are in vocational technical trainings institutions within Kibera. Patience shared with me that her passion for cooking is what drove her to wish undertake a catering course. She appreciates that her tutor Rose Karanja has been inspirational to her as she takes them through their lessons.

Patience with tutor Rose Karanja

Patience is currently undertaking a yearlong catering course at the PCEA Kibera Emmanuel Technical Training Centre. Upon finishing eight years in primary school, she opted to undertake the course with an aim of learning more cooking skills.

According to the tutor Rose Akinyi, the aim of the technical training centre is to build and impact skills in interested students to learn cooking skills. She says that the course offered is tailored to cater to the young people and elderly. “Here you will find that for those ones who are not able to pay for 10 month training course, then we have short courses of three months that they can enroll in to enhance their skills."  She also adds Patience is keen enough and has great potential as she asks for advice whenever she in doubt.  Enrolled students undertake units like food and beverage production, service and sales.

Patience and her classmates

According to Mathew Muema, the Uweza Sponsorship Coordinator, there are a number of factors put into consideration when sending students to undertake vocational trainings. “First we look at the performance of the child when it comes to primary and secondary national exam results.  If they performed poorly or they are challenged academically, then we come in to give advice.  Also through the help of our counselor Becky Gitau, kids are able to understand from their hearts their passions and what they really want to do in life,”  notes Mathew.

Counseling helps both the student and the parent or guardian make a wise choice in the course they will undertake by the end of the day. All said and done, we do wish Patience all the best  in her endeavor.

To learn more about how to sponsor Patience and other Kibera students, click here.

Reading with a purpose

by Thomas Bwire

Schools have just closed for April holiday and the Uweza center is coming back to life from the day‘s silence. One can easily be mistaken that nothing much happens in the evening.  It’s just past 5 pm and one can easily hear murmurs in low tones from the adjacent classes within the court. I walk into one of the classrooms and I meet a few young students all glued to their books as they try to concentrate.

Though it’s a classroom set up, no one here is wearing any school uniforms. I quickly say hey and explain my mission of approaching them for a small interview this evening.

I am amazed by their self motivation.  Despite schools being on a holiday, a few of them are taking it a step further and creating their own time to come at our center and make use of our open space by revising, reading and also getting some educational assistance from their friends.

The first person I approach is Aisha Mohammed who recently joined high school.  She shared with me that her reason for coming at the center was because her new school requires students to undertake an exam on the next opening date and she doesn’t want to have any excuse for failing. "I want to refresh my mind so I don't forget learned topics when I sit for that exam on day one," she told me.

Aisha Mohammed

Second in line was Norah Atieno a class eight pupil at Ayany Primary school who informed me that she loves to keep herself busy so as she can remember what the teacher had taught them in school. “When I come here, I am able to avoid clashing with my mum who sometimes  give me additional house chores like washing the dishes that eat into my time when I want to study,” notes Norah.

For Everlyne Nzilani, also a class eight candidate at Ayany Primary, her major reason for coming to the center is to seek guidance from other friends and tutors who are always ready to assist her when she has difficulty with her school work. “You see I want to be a judge when am done with my education,” says Everlyne. Her advice to her peers is that they need to study hard, plan ahead and that nothing should stop anyone achieve their goals in life. Faith Jennifer, who aims to become a doctor, is happy to use the center as a safe space to study hard so as she can pass her exams.

From left: Class 8 students Norah Atieno, Everlyne Nzilani, and Faith Jennifer

An interaction with Stephen Odhiambo a form three (third year) high school student  gave me an insight into his thoughts that  he wants to pass his exams well and see his family out of the slum life one day. The last on my list was Alex Nyabuto, also a form three student.  He was happy to share with me his sentiments that being at the center takes him away from bad friends who can easily influence him into drugs and idleness that won’t be of any benefit to him.

From left: Form Three students Stephen Odhiambo, Alex Nyabuto, Peter Odhiambo

When all is said and done, the time to create a conducive future is now by investing time and energy into the books and the available space to gain valuable knowledge.

Uweza is my strength

by Thomas Bwire

“I came to know about Uweza Foundation last year during its official launch in Karanja. Since then, I became part of the family and I have never looked back.”  Meet Henry Onguti Thomas, 28, a parent to Reagan Onguti aged 8 years. Henry is a happy father to his son, Reagan whose success story is gradually shining on him at this tender age both in his school work and in extra curricular activities.

Henry (left) and Thomas speaking at the Uweza Community Center

Following the launch of the Uweza center, there was no turning back for Henry whom after attending a parents meeting, made a decision to allow his son participate in the Uweza Foundation programs.  Reagan, now in class three at Old Kibera Primary School, attends the extra remedial classes held by Uweza, known as tuition, undertaken by experienced tutors in assisting kids in the program with their school work.

By letting his son join the program, Henry hoped that his son would get better foundation to help him excel in life, because going to school is essential and every kid has a right to education.  During our interview, Henry informed me that he let his son join Uweza Foundation, because of the assurance of children’s safety while at the center, unlike in the other self sponsored tuition sessions that leave parents worried of their children’s safety.

His son is doing well in school and has been in the top five positions in school exams. Besides school work, the boy is also doing well in Uweza's sports soccer program. Early this year, during the award ceremony for the soccer participants, Reagan emerged top, edging out other boys under his category and scooping up a trophy and a medal for Player of the Year for the Under-8 category.

Reagan and his mother accept the award for Player of the Year with area Chief and Uweza Program Manage

His moving words, inspired by the spirit of determination and courage, are unshakable as he is a dedicated parent, which I easily noticed when he took me to his home in Makina village. The court they live in is clean. Upon entering his one roomed house, it looks well organized.

“This is my home where I live with my wife, whom at the moment is at work and my daughter is in school though she will be here in a short while.” says Henry.

During our 20 minute stay at his house, he was able to tell me that he has lived in Nairobi since the year 1996 when he came as a young scout member to a camp at Rowland camp for scouts.  On one of the walls, hangs Reagan’s medal he won from the Uweza soccer program.  As he proudly shows me his son's medal, Henry tells me “You see, hard work pays and am I happy that I can gradually see the talent in my son."

Adding Knowledge Through Textbooks

by Emily Townsend

On a late weekend afternoon, Cynthia Mumia, age 15, sits on a wooden bench in a warm classroom at Uweza Foundation. She is bashful to talk, but thankful and respectful to Uweza staff members as they give her free textbooks for all of her standard eight classes.

Cynthia Mumia, Class 8 Student

As of Sunday the Uweza Sponsorship Program now includes free books for supported students within the program. Currently there are 25 students participating, who attend either Ayany Public Primary or Olympic Primary. Last year two students continued onto secondary school.

Cynthia says she likes Uweza because they help her pay Saturday school ‘tuition’ classes and now they pay for her books. Last year she was forced to borrow books from a friend. She admits it was difficult to share the books between two different villages and her grades suffered as a consequence.

Mathew, Uweza Sponsorship Coordinator, and George, Uweza Volunteer, prepare to distribute books

Aside from free schoolbooks, Uweza Sponsorship Program provides school fees, uniforms, and school supplies. Also if the child falls ill, Uweza uses a specific chemist for medicine and a hospital called Inshankai to treat the student.

Beatrice Njoki from Kianda Village is the mother of an 8-year-old attending Ayany Primary. She is grateful to Uweza and said, “They help children to learn and help parents enjoy life more.” Her daughter receives uniforms, books, and school tuition.

Dorcas, Class 3, and her mother Beatrice after receiving books

All 25 children visit Uweza every fourth Sunday to meet other kids, play games, and learn life skills. Students that receive a tuition scholarship may also choose an Uweza club and meet every weekend. There is an art, journalism, and football club. Mathew Muema, Sponsorship Coordinator, says, “Education comes first but then a supplement is important, too.” Njoki daughter chose to go to art club, because she likes to draw and paint.

Brian, Class 6, and mother Joyce receive books from Mathew

First time volunteer, George Odhiambo, helped pass out books to children and talk to parents. He said the experience was, "positive. The parents are uplifting their children with books. Now they have the materials to succeed."

Muema says Uweza is planning to start a secondary school sponsorship in the next year.

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Emily Townsend has been volunteering with the Uweza Journalism Club. She hails from Lansing, Michigan in the USA and majors in Journalism and Philosophy at Kalamazoo College. She is currently on Study Abroad at the University of Nairobi and interning at the Voice of Kibera, Pamoja FM. At Uweza she hopes to teach youth the importance of disseminating peace through community journalism.

Cyrus Begins High School

Blog readers who have been following Uweza for the last few years now know Cyrus and his story. For those of you unfamiliar, Cyrus is a 20 year-old student who has been sponsored through Uweza since 2009. Cyrus became blind in 2008 as a result of methanol poisoning.   Due to the generosity of donors, Uweza helped Cyrus to receive emergency care at Nairobi Hospital and likely saved Cyrus' life. Unfortunately, the care provided could not save his sight.

 In 2009, sponsored by Mark and Brad from Australia, Cyrus restarted his education at a technical school for the blind. He learned how to read and write braille in preperation for starting Class 7 (7th grade) in 2010. He had been in Class 8, a month away from take the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam and graduating primary school when the accident occurred. Cyrus restarted his primary school education at Thika School for the Blind in 2010.  He had to return to Class 7 before moving on to Class 8.

Last year, three years after his accident, he was able to take the KCPE exam. He received 234 out of 500, which is very impressive considering that he had only recently learned to read and write in braille. He was invited to two high schools and chose to attend St. Lucy's Secondary School for the Visually Impaired. The school is located just outside of Meru town, about a four hour bus ride from downtown Nairobi.

 Yesterday, Mathew (Uweza's Sponsorship Coordinator) and I dropped Cyrus off at his new school, with a new school uniform and all of the supplies he needs for the first term. Cyrus is very excited to be starting high school and is extremely dedicated to his education. Despite what has happened to him in his life, he remains positive and determined and has a great sense of humor about his situation. We expect great things from him and wish him the best as he starts a new chapter of his life. Thanks so much to Uweza's donors for your support of Cyrus since 2008 and to Mark and Brad for continuing to support his education.