Monday, September 26, 2011

Prime Minister Inaugurates KiberaOnline Lab at Olympic School


The Prime Minister of Kenya, Hon. Raila Odinga and his wife, Mrs. Ida Odinga inaugurated our KiberaOnline Computer Lab at Olympic High School during a climactic ceremony on September 17th. "Now, our students will not be left behind as the rest of the world speeds ahead in the 21st century," said Mr. Okumu, principal of Olympic Secondary School. Hundreds of parents, students, and other community leaders attended the celebrations to mark the official handover of the new computer lab to the Olympic Secondary School.

Mr. and Mrs. Odinga, both long-term champions of education, thanked CoKF founder Ken Okoth for his dedication to the holistic education of Kibera's children and praised our foundation as a model for other development organizations to emulate. The computer lab at Olympic Secondary School is the fifth in a series of investments by the Children of Kibera Foundation through the KiberaOnline Schools Program.

Since 2007, the Children of Kibera Foundation has donated more than 80 computers and assorted IT equipment like projectors and printers to five schools in the Kibera slums.  More than 2500 elemenetary and high school students in Kibera get access to vital informational technology skills and computer-enhanced learning through the facilities provided by Children of Kibera. As part of its comprehensive KiberaOnline program, the foundation has also been organizing cost-free training and professional development seminars for eligible teachers working in Kibera's schools. More than sixty teachers have received certification in basic computer skills through this program since 2009.

work well done!
"Madam Ida,this is what I have learnt"
Ken and the beneficiaries.
Up and running!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Stand Up for Girls!


“Investing in girls and women is likely to prevent inter-generational cycles of poverty and yield high economic and societal returns.” —Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary-General

As an affirmation of our commitment to redraw the grim picture depicting girl child's place in the education circles, Children of Kibera Foundation in partnership with LitWorld organised a procession across Kibera’s main streets to join thousands of other like minded comrades in standing up for the Girl child.
In our walk, we expressed solidarity to the 24 million girls who can’t afford to go to school in Sub-Saharan Africa. In our walk we demonstrated our mission to cut the cycle in which the illiterate girl gets married off at the age of 13 and has a one in 22 chance of dying at childbirth.
We stood up for the girl child to paint a picture in which the educated girl earns up to 25 percent more, three times less likely to become HIV-positive a picture that places the girl child in her rightful place in the society.
With over two hundred girls from Kibera, we marched with the band, we waved our banners high for the world to see, we recited poetry giving hope to the girl child.WE STOOD UP for the GIRLCHILD!

The march...
The Band...
A jig for the girl child.

flowing poetry
THE GIRLS!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

St. Lawrence University Alumni Group visits CoKF

There is a Swahili proverb that goes “Mgeni Karibu, mwenyeji apone”, this loosely translates to: when a visitor is welcomed, the host heals. This was the scenario at the CoKF offices last weekend. We received St Lawrence University Alumni led by Prof. Celia Nyamweru and Kathleen Colson. We have a special bond with this university since our founder Ken Okoth earned his undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence in 2001. Our quest to improve the education standards in Kibera got a major boost when this group donated learning supplies to our library -- over 70 books, calculators, study cards and drawing pencils. Other donations included gifts of children's clothing and sports equipment. We believe that these gifts will permanently and positively impact on our sponsored children and are sincerely grateful to the St Lawrence University Alumni team. Asante sana and best wishes for the rest of your visit in Kenya.
More books for our children!
Good to be here...

best foot forward in the Hokey Pokey.....

Digital photography 101, impromptu lesson on the tracks!