Educate and Empower Street Children in Kenya

The last several years have seen a reversal of progress toward food security globally, due to the effects of covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and climate change. An estimated 800 million people are undernourished (that’s roughly one in ten), and more than one in five children is severely malnourished, leading to stunted growth. 

The Children and Youth Empowerment Centre has seen an uptick in hunger in their community, and they’ve responded by sharing their very limited resources with local families in need.

With our support, along with a gift from a church in Pennsylvania, the CYEC has established a food bank for those facing hunger in their community. To start, community health workers identified three families experiencing extreme hardship. The heads of these families receive food from the food bank, and in exchange, they are working on the CYEC’s agricultural land to produce more vegetables for the food bank, increasing sustainability.

Our support enables these families to feed their children while contributing to the program, building their agency and sustainability. Thank you!

Once again, a group of Penn State students, graduates and faculty visited the Centre in May to collaborate on projects identified by the staff as priorities. This year, all of our work was at the polytechnic, where we established a demonstration site for conservation agriculture, helped set up a creche (nursery), and led several sessions for strategic planning.

They plan to make the polytechnic a center for education in conservation agriculture (CA). Much of the soil in Kenya (and other parts of Africa) is degraded, reducing crop yields. CA builds soil health through minimal tillage, using cover crops and crop rotation. With staff, our students prepared and planted four plots and developed a plan for rotation throughout the year.

Several of the students and staff at the poly have young children, so they’ve established a creche. This is especially important to ensure that young mothers are able to participate in the educational programs. Our students developed resource materials on early childhood development and nutrition, and while there, helped set up the space. They painted the room, sewed several rattles and tactile toys and had Montessori-type toys built for the children.

Our third team led focus group discussions with staff and students at the poly, as well as with other young people, to help identify strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for growth for the poly. This will be used to help them map a way forward.

We wrapped up our time with a bonfire and s'mores! We so appreciate the opportunity we have to learn and grow together while having a lot of fun!

The community library at Rathithi Polytechnic is now fully operational and open to the community. The service was formally launched in a colorful event on 18 February, which was attended by members of the local community, children from neighboring schools and a delegation from the Rotary Club of Karatina.

The grand opening event involved a read-aloud session with children, board games, drawing and painting, and the highlight of the day -- a spelling bee. Beyond the fun activities however, the event was aimed at broadening and deepening the polytechnic’s ties with the surrounding community, to create a richer platform for its function as a key community resource.

While provision of vocational skills training is the polytechnic’s core function, the wider aim of such training is to leverage learning for community development broadly conceived. The library service will support this wider aim by encouraging a reading culture among young people. Helping children to enjoy reading and to read widely will also improve the quality of polytechnic students in the long run.

The launch event was made possible and enriched by the support of the Rathithi community leaders’ committee, which mobilized the community for the event; local primary and secondary schools, which prepared children for the spelling bee; the Rotary Club of Karatina, which provided books and has pledged its support going forward, and the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) network, which donated books.

Together, we are creating opportunities for all our youngsters! 

We’ve composed a special version of the 12 Days of Christmas in honor of your support of the Children & Youth Empowerment Centre in Kenya.  We think even those of you who don’t celebrate Christmas will enjoy! 

“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a converted electric vehicle.”

The CYEC has converted a matatu (public service passenger van) from diesel to electric, with support from the United Nations Development Program. This will provide youth with training on how to do the conversions and creates a cost-effective way to move between the polytechnic and the main Centre. With time, they hope to create a network of Electric Vans and charging stations for local transportation, creating more jobs and enhancing sustainability. 

 “On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

Kenyan students take high-stakes exams at the end of 8^th grade to determine their high school placement. Two students who came to the Centre as very young girls earned nationally competitive scholarships for high school. Our kids take full advantage of the opportunities they’re given!

“On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

Water is precious, so they’ve installed rainwater harvesting at the polytechnic to help with irrigating the crops. They don’t waste a drop!

“On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

The CYEC produces a variety of vegetables to ensure a healthy diet for the kids and generate some income. This year Penn State students worked with them on the production of peppers and onions. Another PSU team offered business-development workshops to the polytechnic students. We’re so glad to have students from the US again!

“On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

Over the past several years, support from the national government has dried up. Fortunately, members of the local community (churches, civic groups and individuals) who appreciate the work the Centre does for vulnerable children have stepped in, providing much needed food and other in-kind support. Together, we make a real difference!

“On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six university students a-studying, five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

The number of our students in college/university continues to grow! We’re especially proud that this year, we had the first college graduate from the children who started with us as elementary school students. More are on the way, thanks to the opportunities provided by our supporters!

“On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven children breakfasting, six university students a-studying, five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

ZFI donors ensure CYEC children have a healthy breakfast before school at least three days a week.  We also provide medical and educational supplies and clothing – all the basics any child needs and deserves.

“On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight youth a-leading, seven children breakfasting, six university students a-studying, five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

Students from the Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State also returned this year and worked with the leadership program at both the Centre and the polytechnic. Older students at the Centre mentor and look out for the younger ones, playing a key leadership role. The polytechnic also incorporates leadership in the curriculum for all its students, equipping them to make a difference in their communities.

“On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine library books circulating, eight youth a-leading, seven children breakfasting, six university students a-studying, five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

The CYEC and polytechnic are resources for local low-income families. The polytechnic has established a community library, with a focus on young children. By supporting literacy, they can help more children succeed (beyond those under their care), and ensure fewer children end up on the streets

“On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten certified poly grads, nine library books circulating, eight youth a-leading, seven children breakfasting, six university students a-studying, five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

Students in technical schools in Kenya take national exams for certification. So far, all of our graduates from the polytechnic (60-some) have taken these tests and all have passed. This speaks to the quality of our programs and instructors as the national pass rate is just over 60 percent!

“On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven macadamia nut trees growing, ten certified poly grads, nine library books circulating, eight youth a-leading, seven children breakfasting, six university students a-studying, five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

 A local macadamia nut processor has given the polytechnic 80 macadamia trees. After about four years, they will start producing and generating income – a nice partnership with a local small business!

“On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve youth succeeding, eleven macadamia nut trees growing, ten certified poly grads, nine library books circulating, eight youth a-leading, seven children breakfasting, six university students a-studying, five local friends of the Centre, four acres of veggies, three barrels of rainwater, two students on scholarships and a converted electric matatu.”

With your help, the CYEC strives to develop the potential of these children and youth so they can lead healthy, happy, productive lives. Together we can change lives!

Donate today to make a difference!

Nancy is one of several successful graduates of our program who are now giving back through volunteering at the Centre. Nancy came to the CYEC when she was 13, after losing her mother at 8 and spending several years with her grandmother. After excelling at elementary school, she attended a boarding school for high school, then completed a diploma in hospitality management.  

Nancy is working with the children at the Centre to help them take on more responsibilities and learn life skills. She’s organized them in mixed-age groups, with the older students taking leadership roles and guiding the younger ones. She’s helping them learn problem solving skills and conflict resolution, along with basic tasks such as serving meals and cleaning up after.  

Gratitude for the people at the Centre and those who support their work motivates Nancy. ‘I am very grateful to the CYEC. It’s like a family to me. They’ve given me advice and have been very supportive. I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t come here. I’ve benefited from the support of others, so I want to give back and make things better.’ 

You support enables Nancy to do her work and creates opportunities for more young people. Thanks for all you do!