Soweto Junior Academy - Kenya

Description

Soweto Junior Academy is situated in Kibera slums of Nairobi County.
It was founded in 2006.
The school has a population of 300 children and 14 working staff.
The main challenges include school fees for children because most of their parents either have no jobs or are doing manual temporary jobs.
The school has a feeding program to keep the children concentrated in their learning since most of them are not able to get regular meals at their homes.
Most of the children come from very poor family backgrounds with extreme support challenges and hence the need to get as much help as possible.

Letter of a contributor

Last June, after 36 years of work, I decided to retire and hosted a party with all my friends from yesterday, today, and forever. I shared with my guests the wish to raise funds for a school in Nairobi.

The idea came to life a year earlier during a trip to Kenya with my wife, Paola. Besides visiting many beautiful places, we had the chance to meet an exceptional person, Leland.

Together, we visited a school in Kibera, a slum in the heart of Nairobi. There, we were deeply moved by the children’s affection and the dedication of the teachers, but most of all by the need for help the school was facing.

What better opportunity, then, to offer them a meaningful contribution? And so, the idea of organizing this fundraising initiative was born, which was truly appreciated by all our friends from yesterday, today, and forever!

Giuseppe

Gallery

Video

HOW CAN WE HELP SOWETO SCHOOL

1. Feeding Program .
The school has a Feeding program that needs support as most of the Students come from poor and underprivileged families that hardly afford proper meals. So to supplement,the children are offered Tea/ porridge and Lunch to keep them concentrated in class. So funds to purchase some of the basic food items liken Cereals. Beans,Maize,Green grams Rice etc would be appreciated.

2 .School Fees .
Most of the students have challenges with schools fees. The school is private and doesn't receive any government funding but the fee structure is accommodative of the Slum dwellers who don't have iobs or have manual jobs that are not permanent. So to help a number of them stay in school,there is a need to Support a number of them to pay school fees and keep them in school. With available funding,there are those who are identified that need that assistance and depending on any available funds,the school can work out how to support the very needy.

3 . Desks and Chairs .
A number of the students share desks and seats which poses a challenge doing school work. Once funds are available,then the school could purchase the same for the students.

4 . Additional Toilets .
In our initial lists,we had expressed our request to get funds to add more toilet blocks to cater for the large population of 300 students and 15 staff members in order to maintain acceptable hygiene levels.

We note that we have limitations on implementing a lot of things at the school considering the challenges of the slum set up.
However, any form of funding and amounts is highly welcome and greatly appreciated .

Our goal,in as much as we operate and serve members of the Kibera slum,is to offer the children a dignified and descent experience despite the conditions in Kibera Slums. Together with your assistance, we appreciate your partnership and thank you very much for the effort and support that you are giving us.
We appreciate whatever is available as we pray for a better life for these children.

Warm regards.

Jeff Juma

Gallery