Korogocho Nyayo

Term 4, 2021

We give glory to God for helping us complete the fourth term of the 2021 school year. Here are some of the successes and highlights we want 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,
Bob Otieno 
Headteacher, Korogocho Nyayo

Total Enrolled: 594 students
Total Unsponsored: 279 students

*Bernard and *Julie are siblings and they are pupils at our center in grade eight and grade six respectively. They are a family of five and they live with their father and uncle in the Kariobangi area in a single-roomed house.

Their mother passed away in 2013. She was the family’s pillar of strength and everything in their lives revolved around her. She was the sole breadwinner and was always concerned with her family’s overall wellbeing. The children depended on her for their security and provision and upon her death, they were devastated. They felt like the world and God had abandoned them at their hour of need.

Julie became withdrawn, unable to actively participate in classwork nor was she able to interact with others meaningfully. She isolated herself and became easily irritable and prone to fights due to anger. She had challenges getting her homework done and the teachers were raising concerns about her behavior. She rebelled, joined a group of girls whose characters were questionable, and started smoking marijuana.

The social worker engaged the girl in order to get to understand the reasons for her behavior. She was unwilling to share any meaningful information that could have helped to solve the puzzle but undeterred, the social workers continued to counsel Julie with the aim of helping her to deal with whatever challenges she was encountering. After several sessions, it came to light that the issues she was presenting were a result of her reaction to the death of her mother. It was revealed that the father was not concerned for their well-being and the children were pretty much taking care of themselves. As a result, Julie was feeling that her life had no meaning and there was, therefore, no need to put effort into her education.

We took steps to help pull the girl from the depression she was slowly sinking into. We shared words of motivation and encouragement with her, spoke of the love Christ has for her, and prayed for her often. We also alerted her brother and father to what she was going through so that they could also help us at home. Bernard started being more deliberate in looking out for his younger sister. They started talking openly as siblings and he would also help her with her class assignments. Their father also started to take on more responsibility at home and to care about his children’s wellbeing.

It has been a journey but today we see the fruits of these combined efforts. Julie is now well-groomed, responsible, hardworking, and obedient to her elders and peers. Where she was once constantly sullen and sad, she is now a cheerful child who smiles easily and actively participates in school activities. She no longer keeps the bad company and we are grateful to God for the transformation we have witnessed in her life.

Please keep this family in your prayers as they continue to adjust to life without their mother.

**Names changed

• We are proud of our grade three, four, and five pupils who had several academic projects in their various learning areas. The students, parents, and their teachers cooperated very well to make the projects successful. These projects included:
  • Making a beam balance
  • Cooking various traditional meals
  • Cleaning white clothing
  • Making ornaments with locally available materials
  • Making costumes
  • Singing traditional songs and dances.
• Our learners took part in the Korogocho ward ball games. We had various categories and our boys and girls participated in the under 10’s, under 12’s, and the under 14’s sets. The under 14’s boys and the under 12’s girls were victorious and each brought a trophy home!
• We are very proud of our scout’s club that participated in several local competitions and emerged third. They are set to compete in the regional competitions next term. They also participated in the national scouts day competitions where they met the President and other dignitaries. We thank God for the responsible young citizens they are becoming.

• Join us as we pray for our 55 grade eight candidates. We are preparing them to sit for the national primary school exit exam next term which will enable them to transition to high school.
• Continue praying for all our students, staff, and parents for good health, provision of basic needs, and good working relationships among us. 
• Also, pray against the spirit of sickness and death since this term we lost three of our parents and several cases of sickness have been reported.
• We are trusting God that all the 279 students who are not sponsored will receive sponsorship.