Most of the children at Mawewa School and their families are deeply affected by the impoverished conditions of slum life. Pauline Ng’ang’a, Kenya Communications & Marketing Director, sheds light on why it is so difficult for families to get ahead in the Mathare.Mathare Economics by Pauline Ng’ang’aMany families in Mathare have lived here for generations. They no longer have ties with others from ushago – their place of ancestral origin – and rarely leave the confines of the slum. Others are relative newcomers, moving from ushago at a young age, hoping to make a better life. These residents have the luxury of returning to their place of origin to celebrate holidays with extended family; although, they return there in a humbled state because they have not accomplished their dreams in the city.
Sources of income in the slum include hand-washing clothing, selling fruit and vegetables, masonry, carpentry, hairdressing, cleaning services, prepared-food stalls, housekeeping, running a boda-boda (motorcycle) service, distributing clean water, matatu (bus) driver or conductor, plumbing, and selling second-hand clothing. These are casual jobs and rarely does an individual stick to one job. Most must switch jobs often to make ends meet. Some people have steady jobs that can create relational turmoil within their families because of the number of work hours, the distance to the job site, or days-to-months of separation.
A regular household makes about 200 Kenyan Shillings (KES) per day from a casual job – equal to $1.93/day. Out of these meager earnings, one must pay for food, electricity, water, food, clothing, school fees, medical care, and emergencies. Meeting these needs is overwhelming depending on how many people are in the family, sources of income, and water availability. When there is no running water, it must be purchased.The bulk of earnings is spent on food. In Mathare, food is the one commodity that is always available, but not always affordable. For example, to feed a family of 5, a meal of chapati (flat bread), one cup of Githeri (maize and beans), and a vegetable costs $175 KES per day. So, daily earnings and other expenses decide what or if a family will eat that day.
An average Mathare family lives in a single room in an apartment or free-standing dwelling, that serves every purpose a household needs. Apartment dwelling is the costliest, with the average rent for an apartment is 4000 – 6000 KES ($39 – $58) per month. Most dwellings, including apartments, do not have restrooms or bathing amenities, so families must use communal facilities, which is not only inconvenient but creates a constant source of community strife.
In this delicately balanced economy, there are those who reap the rewards through manipulation of the system and greed. Some landlords and businesses exploit the vulnerable residents by failing to provide safe and cost-effective housing and goods. Sadly, most of these individuals once dwelt in Mathare, but after establishing themselves moved out and now take advantage of their former community. In a sense, they own Mathare.Most people in Mathare wish for one thing - a piece of land where they can build a home and maybe a farm. For many, this is only a dream, because they can never get ahead. However, a few astute business owners who continue to reside in Mathare most of their working life, will achieve that goal and retire to the country after many years of arduous living and labor.
The eduKenya organization is built on the belief that life can be radically different for children and families living in abject poverty in Mathare. We offer sustainable opportunities to children and families through formal education, skill training, and local investment. Our school and programs lead to transformation and hope for our students, their families, and the community. All of this is done in and through the life-altering power and love of Jesus.