Kariobangi

Term 4, 2021

We give glory to God for helping us complete another term in the 2021 school year and here are the highlights we would like to share with you. We are so grateful for your support and partnership as we continue working together to transform lives through the hope of Christ. God bless you.

Blessings,
Winfred Mwikali,
Headteacher, Kariobangi

Total Enrolled: 391 students
Total Unsponsored: 157 students

*Carlos joined the Kariobangi center as a kindergarten pupil at the beginning of the year 2019. His parents had separated in the same year and the mother had traveled from their rural home in the Western part of Kenya to Nairobi to seek refuge at her brother’s place who lives in the Kariobangi area. Unfortunately, both the brother and Carlos’ mother did not have a stable source of income and their living standards were really bad.

The family came to our attention as the social worker was making home visits in the area. The social worker noticed a child of school-going age roaming aimlessly in the community. He had reached the level of becoming a street child as he had started picking things from dust bins around the community. The child was not able to communicate in any of the official languages of Kenya as he only knew his native language. The social worker was able to get directions to where he lived and found the mother.

The mother shared her family’s struggle and told the social workers that the stresses of life were affecting her as she was unable to provide basic needs to her child. She confessed to feeling hopeless, depressed, and unable to take care of her child’s needs and she was also becoming a burden to her brother who was hosting her. Her case was shared with the community leader who signed her up for casual jobs offered by the government. Our social workers also signed her up in the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) program where she has been receiving teachings on savings, basic hygiene, nutrition, and general psychological and spiritual support in a group set to enhance her networks through new friendships.

As a result of her involvement in the CHE program every week, Carlos’ mother was able to secure a better-paying job at a nearby Export Processing Zone (EPZ) factory and she is now able to provide for her family. She moved to her own house where she is able to meet the needs of her child. 

We have also seen a great improvement in Carlos’ academic performance. From a child who could not communicate in any other dialect except his native tongue, he is now conversant in English and Swahili. His general appearance has also improved greatly and he no longer looks malnourished thanks in part to the school feeding program. He no longer isolates himself from the other children and is now a social, outgoing young boy.

Spiritually, the family has made great strides. They now regularly attend a local church where they are being spiritually nourished.

*Name changed

• Our scouts joined other teams for a day of hiking at the Karura Forest. It was a fun-filled day for them as they also learned various life skills.
• Children have been learning new memory verses, new songs, and sports like sack racing, double skipping rope, and many more games. This has been happening during mentorship lessons.
• Our grade three learners had their Kenya Early Years Assessment done this term. They did very well and it culminated in a cultural day held at our school.

• Please pray for the holistic transformation of the Kariobangi community spiritually and financially.
• Pray that MOHI will have the financial resources it needs to enable us to undertake the God-given tasks that are before us.
• Pray for the health of our learners, staff, and the larger Kariobangi community.