From a very young age, most of Mathare’s children face extreme poverty and insecurity, and all the resulting psychosocial struggles associated with these challenges. Some of our children carry heavy emotional burdens far beyond their years. To support the children at our schools, our team on the ground in Kenya seeks to offer a listening ear and a steady presence in the middle of life's hardships through a formal counseling process.
Our in-house counsellor, Ms. Collette Mwende, is mainly based at our Mawewa Primary School in Mathare, but also makes regular visits to our Chelezo High School. Her role is to support learners socially, emotionally, and psychologically, helping them navigate numerous challenges both at school and at home.
At the primary school, she leads group sessions with entire classes, creating a space for children who often do not get the privilege to spend time with their parents, many of whom are away from home working for long hours.
At the high school, she sits with students one-on-one, helping them navigate the pressures of adolescence, the challenges of friendships, and the weight of academic expectations, all while living far away from their families at boarding school. Some of our other qualified staff, such as our Alumni Coordinator Pispah Lugondo, our Head of Education, Michael Maingi and our Community Relations Developer, Joseph Njenga, also consistently work with Collette during these sessions, providing a much needed male presence and perspective. Through these conversations, learners find not only guidance but also grace and a reminder that they do not have to face their struggles alone.
At eduKenya, we see counseling as an act of discipleship as much as care. By nurturing resilience, confidence, and character alongside academic growth, eduKenya seeks to prepare learners for both school and life, as followers of Christ. Your partnership makes this ministry possible.
Would you consider a gift today to help sustain counseling and mentorship for the children of Mathare?
For those who support eduKenya by mail, please note that our donation office has moved to the following address:
727 Eldon Lane
Nolensville, TN 37135
