Class 3 – Living in Dire CircumstancesClass 3 has 18 students who are highly motivated and love to learn. Most live in extreme want and dire circumstances - in dilapidated shacks with poor hygiene, and almost threadbare clothing. Several of the students have health problems that cause them to miss school on occasion. About 80% of this class is highly dependent on the school for personal care and their only meals each day. Nevertheless, they are grateful to God for His provision and appreciate every blessing they have received from the Lord through donors and other well-wishers.Class 3 students all joined the Entrepreneurship Club, led by their teacher. One of the aims of this club is to help the children develop entrepreneurial skills that will help them learn to provide for their needs. So far this year, the students have learned the income-generating activities of soap making and beadwork.Mr. Dominic Nzoka is the class teacher. He is one of the longest serving teachers at Mawewa School, having taught for ten years. Dominic expects much of his students, but he is fair, understanding, and compassionate toward them all. Dominic and his students are thankful that each class has sponsors to improve the standard of education for these children living in extremely impoverished circumstances.Student Highlight[caption id="attachment_3143" align="alignleft" width="350"]
Grifton M.[/caption]Grifton lives with his parents and two siblings in a one-room shack made of iron sheets in the nearby Matopeni slum. The small space serves as the kitchen, dining room, sitting room, and bedroom – there is no plumbing. Their diet mainly consists of meals made from Ugali (maize meal) and Sukumawiki (Kale). Grifton is afraid of the cooking fire because he has witnessed houses in his neighborhood burn down, leaving people homeless for days-to-weeks and suffering from burn injuries.Grifton’s father works as a charcoal peddler and has a mkokoteni (handcart) to move heavy loads for customers. His mother is a casual laborer who mostly does laundry for people when the work is available. For one so young, Grifton senses his parents’ struggle to make ends meet. He says that he will work hard in school so that he can realize his dreams and help his family in the future. Grifton’s parents are grateful that their children have the privileged to attend Mawewa School, where their education will lead to opportunity.Grifton says many people in the slum die because of poor hygiene. He wants to be a doctor when he grows up and provide free medical treatment to people in great need.Please HelpAs we add grades and children to Mawewa School, we find that our financial requirements are significantly outpacing our resources. eduKenya and the children we serve need your help! We ask your assistance in three ways:
We are so grateful for your past generosity and faithfulness to this ministry. God is using your gifts to transform the lives of children and their families in Mathare.