Joska

Term 4, 2021

We give glory to God for helping us complete another school term – it was a short busy term for learners and staff alike. We are so grateful for your partnership! Indeed we have experienced God’s blessings and favor through this continuous love and support. God bless you. Here are some of the successes and highlights we want to share with you. 

Blessings,
Lilian Karemesi,
Headteacher, Joska

Total Enrolled: 1,277 students
Total Unsponsored: 451 students

*Amy is a grade nine student at the Joska center. She came to us from the Bondeni center where she started out as a grade two student in 2014.

Amy is an orphan who lost her mother and father in the year 2010 and 2013 respectively and was left under the care of her two older siblings. The two got married and Amy went to live with her uncle who lives in a different part of Nairobi and works as a casual laborer. For her to attend the Bondeni school, she had to stay with a relative during the school days and then go to her uncle’s home once school closed.

Missing that parental love, care, and constant support, Amy was easily drawn to joining the wrong company. In a bid to fit in and belong, Amy joined her new friends in smoking marijuana while she was just in grade five. Her discipline deteriorated to such an extent that she got into a physical altercation with a teacher. The decision was made to transfer her to the boarding program at Joska in order to keep her away from the bad company in Mathare. 

Amy was well received at Joska but her indiscipline and bullying behavior was seen a few days after admission. Nonetheless, we opted to love her, pray for her and mentor her towards better behavior. While many students and some teachers feared her, we learned to be patient with Amy. Even though she was held accountable for her misbehavior, we kept her in school where we felt she would be safest. She was very disrespectful towards her teachers and sometimes it felt as though all our efforts were in vain. We give glory to God because things started to change in 2020 when she was a grade eight student.

Amy listened to a teaching by a visiting pastor who spoke about the effects of drugs on a person’s health. She got convicted that she should stop using drugs because they would destroy her. As she ditched drugs and started taking the guidance and counseling sessions seriously, we noticed a change in attitude and an improvement in grades. She sat for her primary school exit exams and was among those who qualified to transit to high school.

She came back to Joska as a high school student and she is not the same old Amy we once knew. The difference is undeniable. Amy has shown great improvement in her class performance, she is very respectful towards teachers and other students and she has improved in her social life and interactions. She has also joined the school football team, public speaking club, and dancing club. Her future aspirations are to be a policewoman so that she can protect citizens and she also dreams of being a cardiologist.

We really thank God for the transformation witnessed in Amy’s life. We pray and hope that in our hands and in the greater MOHI family, she will realize her dream.

*Name changed

• Teaching and learning took place in both the high school and primary school sections and we just bless God for enabling our learners to learn amidst the compressed busy school term. Both sections have realized improved performance. Our primary school is now among the top four in MOHI and it is the best school in our community.
• Mentorship programs were well conducted in both sections. Primary school students met on Wednesdays and high school students met on Thursdays. Both one-on-one and group mentorship was done. The school had visiting teams and guests who offered this mentorship to our students.
• The school boldly depends on God. Morning and evening devotions were held on a daily basis by both the staff and learners. Sunday Services were held every Sunday and midweek Christian union services also went on. The students were ministered to by the staff, invited guest speakers, and visiting partners. 
• The term has been successful through the grace of God. The school experienced calmness amidst the tension experienced in most Kenyan schools.

• 16/10/21:  It was a joy to have 27 visitors from Rocky Mountain Christian Church who shared the Word of God with our learners. Orientation was done, the school’s history was shared and then the visitors had lunch with the school leaders.
• 23/10/2021: The school hosted a vision trip team from Rocky Mountain Church. They were in the company of Pastor Dick Alexander. The team was excited to learn all about what MOHI does towards the transformation of lives.
• 4/12/2021: We hosted a group of seven scholars and professionals who held a productive mentorship meeting with all the students. Candidates were motivated to always aim for excellence.
• 6/11/2021: Sixteen students from a local university visited the school for a mentorship program with all the high school girls. This was very encouraging for our girls who were able to see what hard work and determination can produce.
• 11/12/2021: The school was blessed to host a team of 12 vision trip visitors who were in the company of Pastor Dick Alexander. They attended a Sunday service and also got to interact with learners and the staff.

• Pray for sponsorship of the 451 unsponsored children at Joska and in MOHI Schools at large.
• Pray for the completion of all ongoing projects at the center. This includes The multi-purpose hall, the high school tuition block, the girls’ dormitory for both primary and high school.
• Pray for financial provision so that construction of the new primary school tuition block can start.
• Pray for healing of the nation and the world over the coronavirus pandemic and its emerging variants.
• Pray for Kenya; 2022 is an election year and we are trusting God for peace and stability in our country.