As we are currently not able to offer a multilingual website, our Kenyan project manager Francis Wambugu was so kind to provide an overview in English. Thanks Francis!
Introduction
Pro – A – Kids is an acronym for project African Kids which was initiated through immediate necessity (and not an ambition) to directly help school aged kids who are less disadvantaged in a community where equitable resources are only a dream and a fairy tale to many. During august last year two guests from Germany, a young daughter and her mother, visited Timau, a market place
in Kenya – Africa to familiarize themselves with the way of living of a common African. During their plans to come here some of their family members decided to give some amount of money (100 Euros) to be given to a needy case they would establish here in Timau. This amount of money could do so much and yet so little. We discussed in detail how best to use this money so that it would benefit as many children as possible without letting an individual have it all since we saw a chance of that individual coming to ask for more.
Since this was a case of an individual attention in a place of majority in need we opted to buy relevant stationery for Kongoni e.c.d. which was received warmly as the school had no books, pencils, exercise books etc. despite the fact that the government of Kenya gives money to run schools the pupils starting school life rely on their parents contributions. This means that very little or nothing goes to kindergartens. Able parents (those who can afford school fees) take their children to better equipped schools which are normally privately owned. These schools can feed the child well and give quality education as learning materials are easily available.
After the family went back home the idea of giving a helping hand never died actually it created interest to those who wanted to hear Africa experiences, sooner or later meetings were held and the pioneers helped create a project called Project – African – Kids.
Background information
Kongoni residents are victims of various circumstances. Majority are single mothers who eke out a living from the meager salaries got from casual employment in the multinational horticultural farms around the village. The working conditions in these farms are sometimes horrible. You may be working in a cold room for eight hours without the proper gear. Due to competition in the less job opportunities available complains are nil. „You like it you take it you hate it you leave it“ situation is order of the day. 90% are employed for less than 1.5 Euro per day. This money is supposed to be budgeted for all needs. For the future only hope is lost. The owners of these multinational horticultural companies have the least interest of their workers as labour is always available and cheap.
Kongoni is located on the leeward side of Mt Kenya at an altitude of more than 2050 feet above sea level. The rains are highly unpredictable this makes subsistence farming a high gambling game. In order to realise basic necessities the Kongoni residence are at the mercy of exploitative employers around them.
This community however enjoys a diversified rich culture from the different ethnic groups who live harmoniously. These include the Kikuyu, Meru, Turkana, Nandi, Pokot, Zulu, Luhyia, Luo, Maasai, Kamba and Chuka among others. The biggest reason for this cosmopolitan society is that fate brought them together; they have a common goal which is to survive against the odds.
Due to high level of poverty in Kenya the Kongoni residents are no exception so they receive little if any help from the government. Despite the political wrangles they still live in peace. In such a wanting situation some individuals have given hope in life they have turned to social immoralities these include the brewing of lethal illegal local brews, drug abuse, prostitution, petty robbery, unwanted early pregnancies, school dropouts and general carefree attitude. As long as a parent cannot afford school fees or uniform or any other formality to attend school the parents engage the siblings in either illegal activities or child labour. Basically they have an adage „the God will provide“.
Way forward
In order to build more responsible, able and self reliant individuals it is our obligation to find a method of teaching the future generation a new vision.
The best way to do this is to provide competitive learning atmosphere which will nurture the child to develop better skills for future life. Since children have to learn through experience, exploration, inquiry and experimentation. Schools offer an atmosphere of interaction. I personally believe that this education will be a process of living and not a preparation for the future, I mean the skills learnt in the process of education shall provide a foundation to lay their future upon.
Some of our objectives and aims
Though this list is not exhaustive a few key points may be noted.
- To have more of school age going children attend school.
- To have basic learning materials in the school.
- To help child achieve their international basic right of attending school.
- To create an „equal“ opportunity to less advantaged children as the children from able families.
- To help improve the health of the children by teaching them basic hygiene principles.
This can only be done in their course work. Reciprocate what good fortune has given us by sharing with the less advantaged.