Mathare school gives slum kids second chance at education

The kids pass through narrow paths, up and down alleys to MCEDO Beijing School. They get to school on time.

Other learners, teachers and school director Benedict Kiage are in the school and morning activities have started.

High school students, about 160  of them, gather in a hall as it’s ‘pastoral programme day’ and students replicate church service.

The service runs from 6.30am to 8.05am, when they break and start lessons.

They take turns in leading songs, with energetic young voices filling up the small school compound and the environ.

A woman stands on a verandah of a commercial flat near the school, probably to tap on the morning spiritual nourishment.

After singing, the students take turns in presentations, some sing hymns, others recite poems, while others read Bible verses.

One girl is given a standing ovation after presenting a rendition of 'I Will Never Be Same Again' by Darline Zschech, world acclaimed Australian composer and worship leader.

“I will never be the same again. I can never return, I've closed the door. I will walk the path, I'll run the race. And I will never be the same again,” she sings as fellow students are wowed by her mastery of the English lyrics.

Meanwhile, a teacher supervises some primary school learners who are collecting litter, sweeping and sprinkling water on the tiled compound to minimise dust.

Though under supervision, they appear to have mastered the routine, and go about their duties with ease.

A gateman takes charge at the main entrance to make sure no person who is not allowed in gets into the school.

Minutes past 8am, morning activities end and students settle in their classes as the lessons begin.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, a cook adds fire into the boiler and starts to prepare porridge, which the students take during break time.

Chemistry lesson starts in a Form 2 class, and so does Geography in Form 1 and another Chemistry lesson in Form 4.

A boy who gave a passionate sermon on defeating the devil during the pastoral programme is seen busy in Form 3 Kiswahili lesson.

The school is built on two floors, with the upper floor accommodating high school classes and some primary classes,while the ground floor hosts the rest of primary section and offices.

Looking through the windows are sights of shanties, idling young men on pathways, dozens of rusty iron sheets that make up the majority of buildings here.

 The view reminds learners of where they come from, and why they need to work hard to improve their lives and those of their families.

The school is located in Mathare slums. Like other slums in the city, the area is characterised by poverty, lack of education, unemployment and high crime rates.

Most of the students here come from humble backgrounds in the slums and their parents can’t afford Sh5,000 fees for high school and Sh3,000 for primary school.

Gladys Achieng, a teacher at the school, says only half of the students manage to pay full fees and the rest are still allowed to study.

“Most parents are casual labourers and can only afford to pay half fees while others don’t pay at all…sometimes we don’t have money to buy chalk,” Achieng says.

She says some students come from as far as Mukuru slums, Mathare North, Mlango Kubwa and Kariobangi.

“Some families migrate from Mathare but they find schools are expensive in their new area. Therefore, the children have to come all the way back here for studies,” she says.

Learning here has been made possible by donations from the Chinese community over the years, who have helped develop school infrastructure, donate food and sponsor bright students.

Earlier this month, the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association donated Sh13.46 million for breakfast and lunch for students and staff.

Other development initiatives courtesy of the China community include installation of a solar system, ceilings, drainage facilities, construction of toilets and others amenities. 

One notable of these developments is a red carpet at PP1 class.

A kid sleeps on the carpet during a lesson.

“Thank you so much, teacher Purity,” the PP1 teachers makes the kids repeat five times as she teaches them.

The first break is 20 minutes long and students line up for porridge, which is served by fellow students.

Lessons resume before students break for lunch. They are served rice and green grams.

During lunch, the students also collect litter and sprinkle more water on the ground.

Juliet Casmuel said after lunch cleaning helps teach the students to stay clean after eating and not to leave duties for parents.

Anne Mutethya, 19, is a KCSE exam candidate this year.

She is happy for the opportunity to learn at the school as, “Mum couldn’t afford any other school.”

A second-born in a family of three, she says the last-born dropped out of school while in Form 3 for lack of school fees.

She lives with her mother in Mlango Kubwa and has no recollection of her dad, who left the family many years ago.

“My mum survives by washing clothes in Eastleigh and we only depend on her earnings for fees and food,” she says.

She wants to be a nurse after completing her studies.

Many other students at the school are optimistic of making it in the future.

School director Kiage makes regular checks on classes and receives three visitors during the day.

A daytime gate keeper, a woman, spends the day making sure the students get outside the gate when necessary and reads her Bible when the students are in class.

It's game time and students rush to the field, located outside the gate. Some girls change into game kits to play football.

Others go round the small pitch to warm up, while a PP1 teacher plays hide and seek with her pupils inside the school compound.

Depending on specific days, after the day’s lessons students meet for clubs, debate, general cleaning and games.

“The old Mathare is changing. We believe it's only education that can change this place. If you come here in 10 years, this will be a different place,” Achieng, who grew up in Mathare and now teaches at the school said.

(Edited by V. Graham)