Use soccer as a tool to educate 2500 Kibera youths

Another academic year has begun here in Kenya. Despite the delays of school opening for public primary and secondary schools, KiMMta team and their education programmes had a successful start.
10 students from the Early Childhood Development programme have reached a level where they have now been able to graduate and join primary school.
13 little children were admitted to Early Childhood Development programme to join baby class as they are now of age to start pre-school.
50 students who had completed their primary education received results for their KCPE( Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) exams. It was a day of celebration at KiMMta when news came in that one of their students has been ranked among the best top 10 student countrywide. Emmanuel managed to score an amazing 426 out of 500 marks. Another 38 students scored above the pass mark of 250 marks. This great achievement has led to many parents in Kibera sending their children to KiMMta afterschool tuition. The number of attendees has gone up from 300 to 450 children daily. This is a clear indication that KiMMta afterschool programme is making a difference

Vallery who was among the candidates managed to score 350 marks and was ranked at the top as the best girl at KiMMta afterschool.She attributes her good grades to hardwork and the support she received from her teachers when she joined the after school tuition. This is what she had to say:

“I am so happy for this achievement thanks to my teachers and friends who supported me at KiMMta afterschool. I joined the afterschool program in 2010 after seeing other children going for tuition in the evening. I was then in class four and my school grades were below average. My parents were concerned due to my poor performance but they could not afford to pay for remedial classes in our school. One day I decided to follow other children to KiMMta afterschool tuition, I was not sure the teachers will accept me as I din't have money to pay. To my surprise, I was welcomed by the teacher in my class and he encouraged me to continue attending to improve my performance. From then onwards I never missed the afterschool tuition because the teachers are friendly to us, they assist each one of us in our weak subjects and allow us to ask questions freely. Am hopeful that I will join secondary school so that I can continue to attend the afterschool tuition when schools break for holidays.”

This is just but one testimony from a student who completed primary education and performed well. The numbers are great but to show the impact of KiMMta’s work from the students’ perspective we carried out a survey among a small group of the children and youths who use the resource centre for after-school tuition.
This is a sample of their comments:
“Our class (at school) has a huge population with only one teacher and many children are indiscipline. When I joined afterschool tuition, I have learnt to be more discipline than I used to be and also I get enough time to study” Duncan Aged 8

“In after school you can come with any disturbing question if you haven't understand any subject taught in school and the teachers will explain and help you” Grace 11

“I have improved my grades and become open minded in terms of interacting with other students for educational purposes since I joined after-school programme. I would urge you to continue with the good work you are doing since through this programme many students like me benefit greatly” Dennis 15

“In school sometimes we are given too much home work that am not able to complete at home. Since I joined the afterschool tuition, I find time to finish homework, the teachers help us to understand difficult subjects like mathematics which was so difficult for me but now I find it easy. After-school programme is good because it encourages us to be serious with books and to avoid bad company” Sarah 13

We would like to thank everyone who has helped Vallery, Duncan, Grace, Sarah and hundreds of other students by supporting KiMMta through GlobalGiving.

Another academic year is over in Kenya and it has been another great year for KiMMta.

Students in primary and secondary schools have now completed their national exams and they are now anxiously waiting for their results. On a recent visit to the afterschool project with Vision Africa Chairman, Bob Dowty, we heard that a large number of students have now completed their secondary education. Many of these students used KiMMta’s afterschool programme while they were in primary school and this helped improve their grades to help them secure a place at secondary school.

Last week I had the absolute honour of attending the closing ceremony for KiMMta’s students at the opposite end of the education system. Children from the ECD (Early Childhood Development centre) were in high spirits when we entered the school. They were being given a treat of energy biscuits and juice as part of their Christmas party. When we handed over balloons to one of the teachers the excitement reached another level but the teacher quickly used the balloons for a lesson in colours and had the attention of all of the students.

It has been amazing to see the transformation in these young children over the past year. They are settled in class and have made great progress academically. Their health has also improved thanks to the nutritious breakfast and lunch provided by KiMMta.

As we sat with the students we saw a few parents pass by for the closing meeting. What we didn’t realise was that the classroom upstairs was already full of parents! The attendance was overwhelming and so was the attitude of the parents who offered support for KiMMta’s committee and encouragement to each other to play their part in ensuring the success of the school.

The impact of the feeding programme was brought home to us when one mother stood up and said “When my daughter joined this school she was weak. Walking was difficult and climbing up these stairs was a problem. Now….she runs!” This improved health allows this girl and her classmates to concentrate on their studies and be more sociable as they can join in games and activities that would previously have been a great effort for them.

Several other parents mentioned that people ask them “Where does your child go to school?” because they are so impressed with the progress of the children. This is a wonderful tribute to the work that KiMMta is doing.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project throughout the last year. We look forward to bringing you the results from the primary and secondary school students in the new year.