My Story: Uweza Sponsorship House

My Story" gives beneficiaries of Uweza programs the opportunity to tell their own story about their experience with Uweza. Today's story comes from five Kibera adolescents who have moved into a house together that is paid for by Uweza.  In Kibera, most adolescent boys are considered adults and are expected to find a place to sleep outside of their family homes.  The authors of today's story are high school students who had particularly difficult living situations, which prompted Uweza to intervene.

by Ali Juma, Charles Omondi, Erick Ondimu, Michael Kubasu, and Steven Okello

Opportunities are very rare to find. This is because, nowhere in this planet earth, will you find someone who sacrifices to guarantee all your requirements such as paying your school fees, providing a shelter for you, and lastly ensuring that you get food.  We are boldly appreciating for all that Uweza Foundation has provided us with. The opportunity that you have given to us is a wonderful and visionary idea that has enabled us to focus ahead.  We thank you for everything.

Before we entered this house, most of us went through a lot of challenges in life such as lack of school fees, food problems, housing problems, and lastly difficulty learning.  Learning was the most serious problem that most of us had.  First, we lacked resources such as textbooks.  The place to study was a major problem.  Time management was a serious issue.  Most of us could also be influenced by friends that were negative influences.

Erick Ondimu and Charles Omondi

 The house is located opposite K.A.G. near Ceno Grounds in Kibera.  The house is cemented from inside to outside. The floor and the walls are cemented wonderfully. The walls are painted in a white color which makes it look deliberately good.  The iron-sheet is well built in that leaking problems during raining are minimal.

Uweza Foundation has provided us with facilities such as beds that have made us sleep comfortable without worries.  We have, enough food that has made us to be so energetic whereby from our past appearance we looked thin but now we have changed a lot.  When you look at us, we look much more healthy than those past days.

Michael Kubasu

 We also have a place to study whereby we are able to read well without any disturbance and also we can manage our time appropriately. We have been provided with books that have enabled us to improve our academic performance.  And lastly, you have provided a house that enables us to live better.

The house has helped us live peacefully and in harmony and has brought unity between all of us.  We are all coming from different backgrounds but it is the house that Uweza has provided for us that has brought us together without looking closely at who we are and where we came from.

 With our ending remarks, we would like to appreciate Uweza Foundation for what they have done to us.  All of us have set targets/goals that are going to bear much fruit.  We promise that we are going to work hard and pass our exams well because we have all that requires a student to pass. We will pass with flying colors.  We believe that one day, we will come to surprise many with our achievements and progress.

Lastly, we will not forget the blessings and love of God that has enabled Uweza to do all of this because of us. Please continue having the same spirit of assisting people that are in need and for sure God will not forsake you but He will reward you  more.  Thank you very much and may the Almighty God bless you (Uweza) all the time.

From left: Steven Okello, Erick Ondimu, Ali Juma, Charles Omondi, and Michael Kubasu

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.

The School Visit

by Mathew Muema

20th October in the Kenyan calendar is a holiday known as Mashujaa Day, meant to celebrate our heroes. At P.C.E.A Musa Gitau primary school, this day was celebrated in style as it was their school visiting day and business was not as usual. As I entered through the wide opened gate there was at least someone to say “karibu” meaning welcome. Students were eagerly a waiting for their parents at a certain corner where I entered straight looking for my two sponsored students Mercy Nelima and Bramuel Makoha.

Uweza sponsored students Bramwel Makokha and Mercy Nelima

I could also see a crowd of other parents who came to pay a visit to their children as a way of motivating them while in school. Before I knew it, I saw Bramuel running towards me with excitement over his face. Soon after we embraced, he took my camera bag and he showed me in to look for Mercy who he referred as sister. Immediately we spotted her at a corner reading through her books at the school dining hall and as soon as she saw us, she came to say hi.

Today’s weather was a little bit hot as it was approaching 1pm and we had to look for a better shelter from the scorching sun. Having found a place to sit, Mercy went out to wash her hands and soon came back with an unexpected visitor.  Makaki is her name, whom I was informed was Mercy's class mate and best friend at school. We shared a meal together of chips, chicken, cake, crisps, and other snacks.

Mercy is a very bright student who has always been top overall in class six.  She is expecting at the end of this term to attain 450 and above over 500. She finds school cool with no challenges.
I posed a question to Mercy whether she found any subject challenging and after a little pause, she answered with authority. “All subjects are equal so if one is easy then all of them are and I don’t find any of the subjects that we are taught tough,” were Mercy’s sentiments.

Bramuel, on the other hand, is social and outgoing; he says that his favorite subject is English. “Being in school is the best decision any young person can make in their life. I am happy to be in school and want to work towards getting good grades at least above 400 at the end of this school term, ” noted Bramuel.

With Bramwel's teacher

 Bramuel’s teacher appreciates them and says they are disciplined and hardworking students and assured me that they usually support the students in case they feel challenged. For me it was an exciting day spending time with the kids.

I was encouraged to hear Mercy say, after receiving her motivation prize from Uweza for good grades, that she will buy a present for her mentor who is a student in form 2 and who stays with her at Tunza Children's Centre, a children's home for orphaned children. Both of them are writing inspirational new stories of what they called a sad story of their past life and are an inspiration to all kids out there.

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Mathew Muema is Uweza's hard-working and dedicated Sponsorship Coordinator.

 

Nairobi Show

by Thomas Bwire

Last Friday was an adorable day as it presented an opportunity for the kids under the sponsorship program a chance to visit The Nairobi International Trade Fair, an annual event held in Nairobi.  The walk from the center was full of energy as all the kids present, dressed in their respective school uniforms, walked steady fast as they anticipated what the day ahead was going to be like. It didn’t take long and in less than 20 minutes, we all arrived at one of the entry gates at the Trade fair, famously known here as Nairobi Show.

Mathew Muema, Uweza Sponsorship Coordinator, paid our entry tickets and thereafter we had access to have fun and enjoy to the fullest what was in store for us. Before entry, security personnel did check through the bags as a way of enhancing security for everyone’s safety.

Once in, our first stop was at the stand where cows were displayed in their stalls, amazingly they were bigger than most of us thought this made some of the kid’s curious and want to touch them. Later on we moved to the see other animals like goats, and sheep, here too some of the kids fell in love with one of the sheep as they wanted a photo of this rare animal.

Posing with a sheep

Thereafter, we moved to others stands like the ministry of Agriculture, where we got to know what foods are grown in Kenya and how they are supposed to be preserved right from the farm to harvest time.

High school students learning about flowers

Learning sign language

Time was flying so fast that we had to take a small break and had small bite of sausages which were delicious.  Next we went to the merry-go round area which had many people than we never thought. Some of the kids decided to enjoy the merry-go round while some choose to have something else.

Later on we all got a place to enjoy our meal and also all the kids got their faces painted. The moment of the day was at one of the local stand and a few of our kids had a chance to show case their dancing skills. Winners were awarded key holders and pens to motivate them.

Uweza students dancing in front of a big crowd

Just before the day came to an end, we also visited the arena, and got to see some performances from the local police on how they curb insecurity issues in the country. To close the day, some cows were paraded past our stands showcasing farmers efforts in raring them.
 
The fair which opened its doors on 2nd October-7th October 2012 had this year's theme as, 'Enhancing Technology in Agriculture and Industry for Food Security and National Growth.  The trade fair, formerly called the Nairobi Agricultural Show, began in 1901 when the agricultural and horticultural society was founded in Nairobi. The show became a trade fair in the year 2000 giving opportunity to local and international exhibitors to promote their services and products.

Hope is not gone forever

by Nicholas Gisemba

The sponsored primary school going kids of Uweza family all looked happy and adorable last Sunday at their monthly meeting. This meeting comes every last Sunday of the month as they all gather together and talk about what is going on in their lives. In one of the classroom. Mathew Muema, Sponsorship Coordinator gave the kids a simple task of having to draw the people that matter most to them in their family.

Something that kept me thinking, that all the kids can easily identify the people they love and what it means for them. This exercise took like 15 minutes to accomplish. Later on they all went out for an outdoor activity, where one student acted out different creatures and objects such as a kangaroo and a spoon while the others guessed.

Maurine acting as a kangaroo

The most interesting part of the day’s session was when all the kids had to speak up for themselves on their needs. Some of their sentiments were as follows: some had only one pair of school uniform and requested to be added an extra pair. While others noted that their uniforms were old and needed replacement.

Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew organizes the students for a game

The forum offered a space to let them speak up their minds as a way of growth into becoming responsible adults in the near future. The exercise also gives students the confidence to express themselves and their needs. Challenges faced at school were also shared and possible ways of overcoming them to excel better this new school term.

Snack time

The day came to an end with a small snack shared among all the kids present, A cup of juice and cookies were served from the kitchen and all queued as they waited for their chance to get a piece and ate just like one family.  The kids also had a chance to make their funny gestures while taking a group photo.

As the kids left the center, I had an opportunity to speak with Mathew whom shared his thoughts that his greatest motivation is to see all the kids grow in their lives and to overcome the life challenges that in many cases create barriers that can hamper their growth in life.

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Nicholas Gisemba is a member of the Uweza Journalism Club. 

My Story: Alfred Nyongwe

"My Story" is a new blog series intended to provide a platform for Uweza beneficiaries to tell their own stories about their lives and their involvement in our programs.  First up is Alfryed Nyongwe, a fourth year high school student, who plays for Uweza's senior soccer team and is a recipient of an Uweza sponsorship. Alfred will be taking the KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) exam next month.  

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by Alfred Nyongwe

It is true that opportunities are rare.  It is only at Uweza Foundation that opportunities are well and fully offered.  Some of these opportunities are as follows: We have soccer, which is the mother of others, journalism, drama, arts and crafts, sponsorship, counseling and free tuition. This creates, prepares, and nurtures talents for the young generation.

Alfred Nyongwe

As an individual, Uweza really helped me to cater for my school fees.  I count myself among the luckiest students due to the benefits I have been acquiring in this organization. As I am preparing for my final examination, they offered me a conducive environment for learning. They provide all requirements for the examination such as: revision books, past papers, pens, exercise books, and a place where one can have a moment of peace of mind to study.

In addition, they have encouraged me by giving tips for passing an examination. This led me to have a positive attitude and mind about education for my future life. Their main interest is to see great people in the future coming from the "Uweza family."

Alfred studying at the Uweza Community Center

My coach gave me time to concentrate with my studies and resume attending soccer training sessions on 29th of November after the National Examinations.  He did this out of a good heart and the interest he had for me. He allowed anyone who is preparing for the final examination to concentrate on his/her education because education is life and it is only this examination that will determine who you will become in the future.  I really appreciate him for the good intentions toward my life and I won't forget his words...."I want to see you by next year with a suitcase coming from Kenyatta University...where your dreams will come true."

Alfred, left, with his coach, Team Manager Charles Kaindi

In conclusion, I thank Uweza Foundation and all of the staffs for the great work they have been doing to create, nurture, and empower talents. My prayers to all is that our mighty Lord give them long lives and strength to continue supporting the needy. In addition, God bless the work of their hands and increase mercy on their hearts to make Uweza Foundation become a throbbing heart for the needy.

Sponsorship Family Day

Story by: Jennipher Awour
Photos by: Phenny Nyamachama

The Uweza community center was filled to the brim last Sunday with parents of the sponsored children sitting sharing a platform. The center's open area created ample space for this special gathering.  This was a forum aimed at comparing notes on different issues between the parents and their children in the sponsorship program.

Uweza sponsorship students and parents at the community center

Most of the parents appreciated having been integrated into the Uweza family, through their sponsored children especially with a focus on uplifting their education standards. The sponsorship program offers children coming from needy families an opportunity to have access to quality education among primary and high school going children.

One of the first up to speak was the chairman of the sponsorship committee, Mr. Tom Odumo.  The committee is responsible for reviewing and approving applications to the program as well as addressing disciplinary issues among sponsored students.  According to Mr. Tom, one of the aims of the meeting was to encouraging parents to follow up on their children’s welfare when in school, by checking on their school work and also at the end of the school term, by checking their children's report forms.  

Mr. Tom Odumo, elected Chairman of the Sponsorship Committe

As the presentation was on-going, the concentration from the people present was written all over their faces, as they looked focused while following the presentation from Tom Odumo.  Mr. Tom also emphasized on the need for the girl child to be in a closer relationship with their parents, so as their issues are rightfully addressed, and also for them to avoid getting into early pregnancies  that easily pulls them out of education while the boy child remains in school.

On his part, sponsorship coordinator, Mathew Muema, advised the children present not to engage into drugs which will easily mess their life plans. Mathew also did reminded parents to play their part on seeking medical attention for sick children since their health matters most.

One of the sponsored student's fathers, left, and Sponsorship Coordinator, right, speak to the parents

While the country director Mr. William Moi used the opportunity to share information of other programs that children can be engaged in, like free tutorial classes offered by qualified tutors and after school programs such as art club, journalism club, and dance club.

County Director William Moi

 His parting shot was word of encouragement to the children to work hard in their studies and that Uweza would be happy to see them succeed in life later on, “Your strong foundation in education now is what matters to us, since it will pay later in life, with the support of Uweza and your parents."

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Jenipher Awuor and Phenny Nyamachama are members of the Uweza Journalism Club.

Spotlight on Sponsorship

by Amy Auguston

Today is the last day of my visit to Kenya. I am sad to leave, but I am returning home freshly motivated and determined to advance Uweza’s mission. Seeing Uweza’s programs up close has been inspiring.

In my previous blog, I wrote briefly about meeting the two girls that I sponsor through Uweza. Spending time with the girls, visiting their homes, and meeting their families have been some of the best and most meaningful moments of my trip. I’ve also been able to meet other sponsored children and their families, and I’ve witnessed the power of the sponsorship program firsthand.

Amy with Dorcas, who she sponsors, and Dorcas' mom Beatrice

For example, one day last week, a mother of a sponsored child came to the office, her sick son in tow. He had been suffering with a bad cough and a sore throat for a few days. His mother knew that he needed medicine, but she could not afford it on her own. Uweza staff was able to send her immediately to a local chemist, where she could get medical advice and medication, paid by the Uweza sponsorship fund. If her son does not feel better soon, she can bring him to a local doctor for consultation and tests—again through the Uweza sponsorship fund. Such simple and powerful acts occur each day at the Uweza Community Center.

Uweza Sponsored students play a game at their monthly meeting

Last Sunday, I attended the monthly meeting of the sponsored children, led by Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew. At one point each child stood up and introduced him/herself, and then told the group what he/she would like to be when he/she grows up. The children spoke confidently of their dreams to become doctors, lawyers, pilots, bankers, and nurses—and it was incredible to know that Uweza is helping them to reach their goals.

Lizzy Akinyi, in Class 2, wants to be a doctor

By sponsoring a child, you help to break the cycle of poverty in Kibera. You make an investment in the health and education of an individual, and in turn strengthen the larger community of Kibera. Learn more about Uweza sponsorship and how to get involved here.

Uweza Sponsored Students

Home Visits

by Thomas Bwire

The sloppy terrain filled with litter of all kinds is what we had to experience during our home visits within Kibera slums. Our mission with Mathew Muema, Sponsorship Coordinator was to get to see how some of the children under Uweza's sponsorship program live with either their parents or guardians.

It took roughly less than 10 minutes to arrive at our first house from the center. Here we found Alphonce Otieno in his school uniform eagerly waiting for us. Their one room house is situated in Gatwekera village. Alponce, a total orphans, stays with an aunty who is very kind and takes care of him as if he is her own child. After greetings, Mathew introduced me and went ahead to explain that our main mission was to pay a visit and find out the progress of the children under the sponsorship program. Before we left, Aphonce received a shoe polish and water guard for purification of their drinking water at home.

Alphonce Otieno with his younger cousins

Our next stop was to Edward Kuremi, who lives in the same village as Alponce, though some distance apart. We found his mother in the one-room shanty iron structure house that stood just next to the road side.   One thing that quickly strikes you as a first time visitor to this area is the fact that the house stands between local pubs, with loud music emanating from them.  One could easily wonder if the noise pollution levels can affect a school going child staying here and if still he can still do well academically. Kuremi attends school at Toi Primary and is now in class five. Her mother struggles to put food on the table as she does not have a stable source of income. She too received the small bottle of water guard and shoe polish for her son.

Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew with Mama Eduward Kuremi

There on, we had to take a longer walk to another village known as Kianda. It took us roughly 10 minutes before arriving at Charles Omondi's home. Charles goes to Olympic High School and is now in his third year. Charles is an orphan and he is taken care of by his aunt.  His aunt lives with 14 children in a single semi-permanent room and that forces Charles to sleep in another houses that belongs to a good Samaritan, who offered him a place to sleep. The aunty was very happy to see us and appreciated work done by the Uweza family in assisting some of the needy children with education, which plays a key role in shaping life.

Our last stop was at Dennis Odhiambo’s home. He lives with his parents, both have un- stable jobs as the mother sells roosted maize for survival to keep the family up and running. His dad is not working and cannot be able to support the family yet. Currently Dennis is undertaking a vocational training in electrical installation at a technical training center in Kibera.

Dennis Odhiambo, center, with his mother and younger brother

Truly that was an experience of a life time, having to see where some of our sponsored children do come from. I got to know some of the hardships they undergo, like poor sanitation facilities as well as what it takes to put food in the table so that a brighter future can be achieved despite challenges  coming from their homes.

To sponsor a student in the Uweza Sponsorship Program, please visit http://www.uweza.org/sponsorship

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.

Family Reunion

by Lydiah Olendo

Uweza sponsorship students had something to smile about last Sunday when they had their monthly meeting at the center. Their expectations were high as it all read on their smiley faces. Each of them, dressed smartly, sat in one of the classrooms waiting eagerly for Mathew Muema, Uweza's Sponsorship Coordinator, to finalize his interview with me as Uweza journalism club member Nicholas Gisemba took photos of the kids already present. My one on one interview with Mathew was very interesting as he got to share vital information about his group.

The group now includes about 24 primary school students under the sponsorship programme. This kind of meeting is very significant; it comes every last Sunday of the month and in normal cases meetings take place in the afternoon.

I posed a question how the sponsorship program idea was born and Mathew shared his sentiments. “The sponsorship program came about after Uweza found out a bigger gap in kids failing to attend school, since their guardians, and parents are unable to pay school fees for them.  That’s where we come in,” says Mathew.  The sponsorship program was initiated to ensure that all educational and health needs are covered for students in need from Kibera.

“When we meet at the center like today, our sessions are very interactive. Kids start by getting to know each other. interact, and have some fun games for motivational purposes as it’s not routine for them to have fun.” noted Mathew.

Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew Muema instructs the group at the start of game time

The group playing a game

I also learned that this forum offers room for academic discussions among all the students. Here they share how they fared in school the previous term and possible ways of improving in grades for the ones who are having challenges academically.

Brian Mulinge attends Olympic Primary School in Kibera and is in class four. He attained the fourth position in his class with 453 marks out of 500.  Mathew notes that Mulinge is always one of the highest performing students, though he has dropped a little bit this term.  Mulinge also admits that he’s sometimes too playful but he is working hard toward his dreams of becoming a doctor.

Vincent Otuoma is also a member of the group and attends Toi Primary School in Kibera. His target is to become a pilot one day.

Lydiah interviewing Vincent Otuoma

All said and done, the group’s meeting came to an end with some snacks shared equally to all just like one big family.

For more information on how to support a student in Kibera through the Uweza Sponsorship Program, please visit our website:  www.uweza.org/sponsorship.html.

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Lydiah Olendo is a member of the Uweza Journalism Club.








 

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.