Kibera Girls' Soccer Academy, by Jeff Ochieng, Projects Coordinator, CoKF

The Kibera Girls' Soccer Academy began in 2006 as a community based sport organization. Today the institution has 105 students. The teenage girls’ soccer team would practice in the evening and attend matches seasonally. This would be good if only the girls were not traumatized by early pregnancies, forced labour, early marriage and even STDs. These problems were traced back to daytime idleness and unemployment in the free time between waking up in the morning and training sessions in the evening.In response to the huge need and the particular problems faced by girls, Mr. Abdul, a native of Kibera, acted by beginning a new school where girls who that had completed the 9th grade in elementary school but lacked fees to go on to high school could come instead. I talked to Mr. Musa, the school's deputy head teacher. I found out that form one (9th grade) has forty two students, form two has twenty eight, form three has twenty seven and form four has eighteen students. When I ask Mr. Musa why the decline in enrollment numbers, he explained that they sieve the number to enhance performance. Only the students who perform well on exams are allowed to continue at the school.

Am eager to know the recruitment criteria. "Won’t anybody take advantage of the free education?"

"Nobody will," I get my answer. "Needy footballers are prioritized first and secondly academic performance. Upon registration, each girl is mandated to buy a uniform, a locker and books although last year lockers for form two and four were sponsored."

Something crosses my mind. I recall how having pursued metal work in high school helped me afterwards. Mr. Musa confirms there are no technical subjects around. They hope for dress making or hair dressing in the near future.

Our discussion moves on to the setbacks they face. Bombshells drop one after another. "Most teachers are not fully-qualified trainees is the curtain raiser. The food programme works out only four days a week. We lack an equipped science lab for the high school curriculum and exams, thus we are registered with St. Gabriel-Undugu for K.C.S.E. Most students stay not with their parents, but with other guardians and this affects their pursuits."

I cut the deputy short on on this point and ask him to explain. I learn that the same students get overworked in their family situations or by their guardians. "Child labour is common, they undergo domestic violence and are malnourished."

"So?" I query.

"So what?" the deputy replies. But he gasps my concern and shares the taken steps so far. "A concerned teacher would address the affected student. We advice and admonish the guilty guardian in respect. I hope it works, more so I hope it never happens to any student."
I meet the principal, Mr. Teka Richard, in the staff room to learn more about the school. "The electricity bill is footed by friends and computer basic skills given to all students. Form four students attend free tuition on Sunday afternoon."

"What are your future expectations?" I ask the principal as we shake hands. "To double the number of students and a provide a complete and nourishing feeding programme," he says with a grin.
Click here to view a picasa web album of Kibera Girl Soccer Academy.