Many children in Mathare have never ventured beyond the confines of the slum. They have seen pictures of animals and plants indigenous to Kenya, but lions, rhinos, and zebras live mainly in their imaginations. So, it was with much excitement and wonder that the Mawewa School’s lower primary students ventured out to a wild animal orphanage to witness the wondrous creatures first hand.

The Nairobi Safari Walk provides examples of Kenya’s rich animal life including a rare white rhino, albino zebra, big cats, antelopes, primates, and more. It is also home to 150 species of local trees – another rare sight in the slum.

African lions kindle awe and admiration more than any other animal species in Kenya. Lions are the symbol of Kenya's nationhood because they are brave, strong, and ready to defend against any threat. They also sleep 15-20 hours per day!

The second largest land mammal after the elephant, the white rhino has been brought back from the brink of extinction, but poaching these magnificent animals is on the rise. The student-rhino encounter provided an opportunity to teach the children about animal conservation.

The scariest sighting of the day was a Nile crocodile, the second largest reptile in the world. Though they are a very aggressive species of crocodile, they are social with each other. Mother crocodiles are protective of their eggs and gentle with their young.

Ostriches are native to Africa. In the 18th century, their feathers were so popular, that the ostrich began to disappear from the African landscape. If not for ostrich farming, which began in the 1800s, the world’s largest bird might be extinct. Our students use computers to study Science, but photos did not prepare them for the size of this bird! Interesting fact: An ostrich’s eye is the largest of any land animal.

Water lilies, seen in lakes and ponds in and around Nairobi, are a rare sight for our students. The water that streams through Mathare is filled with raw sewage and other garbage. The children marveled at the simple beauty of clean water that bears flowers.

We see the pleasure of God in His creation, and it expresses His glory. One way Mawewa School exposes its students to God's magnificent handiwork is by expanding their horizons beyond the borders of the slum. Join our efforts to provide Mawewa students with a variety of opportunities outside the confines of Mathare. Please visit eduKenya to learn about ways you can support them on their journey of transformation. Thank you, and God bless!