GIRLS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

The evening of 20^th April 2010 was a memorable one. Girls of the children of Kibera Foundation sat round a table waiting for the anticipated successful ladies we were to meet. All was well as we chatted quietly around the table when finally they arrived. It was a very honoring moment for us. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we did not want to waste it and surely no one could.

They joined us and introduced themselves as Belinda Obura who is a news anchor/journalist at Citizen TV, Louise Masese who is a nutrition Analyst working with the UN,Olga Randa who is an accountant working with the Red Cross, Hanifa Shakombo who is an advocate and Kendi Kilonzo who is a marketing manager working with EABL. The other ladies could not join us due to unavoidable circumstances. We also introduced ourselves and then had a girlie talk that was just awesome before we could start; Belinda requested that we first have our tea because it was specially meant for us. We walked like dignified ladies to the table having the drinks and after serving ourselves, we went back and continued with our talk.

We asked very many questions. We surely had a lot to talk about. They were so mesmerized when I addressed them as succefull ladies. I wondered what was there to be mesmerized about because they truly are. I learnt that in career choices, I should not limit my mind to just doing what I want but to accept anything that comes my way because a journey of a million miles begins with a step. You should always aim higher; not just being contented with what we have. In short, we should be ambitious.

They got to share quite a lot about their life, the challenges they encounter, how to overcome them and the steps to getting there. I felt very inspired and my dream and goal seemed so realistic because if they were able to make it in life then why can’t I? Why can’t I prove to those chauvinists that a woman can do what a man can do? Why don’t I prove to the whole society that I yes, me just a girl from Kibera can accomplish so much?

I felt quite relieved when they also shared the huddles and obstacles they encountered on their way to success. These challenges are to modify our character to make us strong as the fields most us are aspiring to venture are male dominated so, we will need the strength to cope with it. I want to make a difference to inspire on earth before I depart. I aspire before I expire.

They told us that we should always have a positive attitude towards what we are doing. Challenges are always there and we have to accept and appreciate that they are there and come up with ways on how to cope with them. We should have an intimate relationship with God so that He may bless our work and put our dreams and hopes into earnest consideration. The friends that we do not need should be kicked out of lives because they do more harm than good. It is better to have one worthwhile friend than many useless friends. We learnt that a lot from them and they also learnt from us. They were also inspired by us and what we go through everyday in school especially by the thought that we come from Kibera, which is a despised area but we work hard to prove to them that Kibera has the most educated people.

Surely, I can’t wait for the next meeting.

by Philitricia (Moi Girls Eldoret), Zainab (State House Girls High School), and Vane (Buruburu Girls High School)

The Children of Kibera Video - Please share with your friends!

CoKF Chairman Busy Schedule in Kibera.

When Curtis Rooney arrived in Kibera, he was just an ordinary man. But what he left behind was no ordinary. On 30th March 2010 Curtis landed in Nairobi with stored enthusiasm, to meet the beneficiaries of Children of Kibera Foundation., an initiative helping directly or indirectly hundreds of families in the infamous Kibera slum.
On 31^st March 2010,Mr. Curtis Rooney, Chairman, Children of Kibera Foundation was commissioning the new building, the newly built washrooms initiative at Red Rose Middle school-.An exercise that was witnessed by Red Rose students, Project coordinator Japheth Ochieng’, Red Rose teachers and Parents

This particular visit was met with pomp and happiness. Joyous children danced and sang their hearts out during this memorable event. “This is purely reconnaissance exercise meant to lay out the future programme projections and mapping out the way forward. It is a great privilege to have you in Kibera and to have you back will be our first primary priority request.” Japheth noted.

Traversing the unfriendly environment to reach out to various families in home visits was not enough; students benefiting from CoKF welcomed the Chairman in their shanties with their parents and siblings ready to pour out their gratitude.

Mr. Curtis was introduced to the new computer labs run by CoKF at Kibra Academy and Lutheran school. These are initiatives that brought technology right at the door of a community that never new what a computer is, changing lives of many. Teachers, children and parents alike. Surely, it is a move that has opened the eyes of many. It has connected this dark part of the continent with the global village. We appreciate every effort that has been put into this project, from the hands that contributed that penny to the hearts that donated the computer. And in any other form that we cannot mention here.

The Chairman also took time, within his busy schedule; to visit Calvary school. CoKF has built new classes because of the generous contribution from well-wishers.

He took time to visit High Schools, where the beneficiaries are schooling. It was a humbling experience as the students were elated to see their highly cherished chairman. They were happy to thank him for what he has done to bring the CoKF to what it is today. They showed enthusiasm as they shared their dreams and aspirations with the Chairman. A lot was discussed touching on the salient requirements on career guides.

The chairman, particularly, engaged them on interviews on various life skills and the challenges facing the youth in contemporary world.

He challenged them with his own life history, made them to understand the importance of determination, the tenets of identifying goals and the goals in achievement.

CoKF Chairman Visits Kibera

This is part of the speech I shared on the official opening of the new Red Rose Middle School. There is a link below for pictures of the visit so far.

Let us give a mighty clap and Welcome Mr. Curtis Rooney: Karibu Kenya, Karibu Kibera.

The children of Kibera Foundation is humbled to welcome all of you to this much anticipated event. It comes at a time when a lot has taken place – stories have been told. And assistance accorded when necessary.

As you are aware, though this initiative; many students have realized their dreams. Those who never believed in stepping into a secondary classroom, those with incredible potential, but had their dreams dashed away – by the day – to – day struggles of life, long nights with empty stomach, HIV / Aids ravages, poor shelter and living conditions.

All these grappling has been summarized by COFK though the slogan “Yes we can” Educating the future.

In this journey, we have come face – to – face with various experiences:-
 One mother shared with us the struggle she went through to get to the point where she is today.
 After her husband died suddenly, their community striped them of all their belongings in an inheritance tussle. And they had nothing but a fortunate connection to a sympathetic landlord.

 Some children sitting here miss a father or a mother and simply depend on a single meager salary stretched far to cover food alone.

 Multiple families disclose that they have arrears? Ranging from primary school fees to medical bills.

 The best option seems indifferent and unattainable.

Each family is in great financial need of a scholarship to secondary school (and even beyond). We should be all aware that the opportunities resulting from their children’s education would be life changing.

Joscelyn Truitt, Jacqueline Espana (Current interns from NYU ) and I have certified this as we faced the challenge of not only leaping over open sewers or navigating through alleyways of mud and trashy fields but rather listening to the stories of each student knowing that not all of them will receive the scholarship opportunity with CoFK.

I want to personally thank our fore mention interns Joscelyn and Jackie for the great work they are doing.

Our commitment on the ground has been paramount. Currently, CoFK is supporting 21 students:-
 1 is in USA on an exchange programme
 2 in form Three
 11 in Form Two
 7 Form one
With this kind of statistics, the girl child education has been given our first priority. A measure of progress in a complete and competitive education system.

These Kibera youths, through your effect, receive tuition fees, uniform, shopping costs and a little bit of pocket money. They get themselves into community service of their choice during holidays - attending seminars, camps, retreats as a capacity building exercise.

Your generous contribution also goes to Red Rose sponsoring programme a venture where 50 primary schools going students have found refuge (at Red Rose Nursery and Children’s Centre).

I want to take bring to your attention that this centre has attracted friends worldwide who have made it here personally and participated in school activities with the young children – out of these contribution, the centre has received classroom materials, donations, from various schools in the USA. For instance, art supplies, books, posters, chalk, pencils and the new addition of the new Middle school and Washrooms to go with.

You have made it possible to establish Kibera online initiative an initiative that has rolled out installation of three computer labs- complete with monitors, desks and chairs to schools in Kibera slum. Namely Red Rose, Kibra Academy and Lutheran primary. It is worth mentioning the generous contribution from Kensington cares who donated twenty computers and monitors to Kibra Academy. We are surely grateful. May you continue with the spirit of giving. A proposal to constitute another computer lab at Ayany Primary is under way.

Last but not the least, we can all attest to the fact that education is the key to our future. It is our turn to provide it – at whatever cost, to this deserving cases – to bring that splendid future today upon the dejected, disgruntled and hopeless young population who have shown the zeal to achieve ready to strive for excellence in the midst of hassle and bustle. As a CoFK staff here in Kibera, I have been entrusted with the leading responsibility to dispense the roles, duties and responsibilities required of me – this I will do without fear or favor, failing or faltering. To leave a trail of legacy because I am.

On behalf of the Children in Kibera THANK YOU! Very much for that you and the Board plus all the well wishers have been doing.

May God bless you all.

Thank you.
Click here to view pictures from the Chairman's visit.