Educating street children in the Mathare slums

Mitchel Atieno – A Journey of Hope and Transformation
Date of Birth: 28th February 2007

Mitchel Atieno’s story is one of resilience and transformation made possible through the unwavering support of kind-hearted donors and the intervention of the Mathare Children’s Fund Panairobi (MCFp).

Mitchel lives with her mother and siblings in a single-room tin shack in the Kayole slums, Nairobi. The house has no electricity, and basic amenities like water and sanitation are a daily struggle. Water is purchased from a nearby kiosk, and access to washrooms requires payment—something the family often cannot afford. As a result, they sometimes have to wait until nightfall to bathe, since it is not possible to do so within their cramped home.

Tragedy struck early in Mitchel’s life. Her father passed away in November 2009 when she was just two years old. Shortly after his burial, her mother began to fall ill and was later diagnosed with the same illness that had claimed her husband. Life became increasingly difficult. The family, originally living in Kibera—one of the largest slums in East and Central Africa—relocated to Kayole after Mitchel’s father had found work at a gas station there. But after his death, the family's stability quickly unraveled.

With no reliable income, they often fell behind on rent. Landlords responded by removing the door, and later even the roof, of their home in attempts to force them out. Mitchel’s mother tried to make ends meet by selling vegetables on the street, but her earnings were barely enough to feed the family, let alone pay school fees.

Mitchel remained at home, watching other children in the neighborhood go to school, her future uncertain. Life in the slums exposed her to numerous dangers, including the constant risk of becoming a street child, falling into drug abuse, crime, or exploitation. Fortunately, the local community leadership recognized her vulnerability in time and referred her to MCFp for support. She was rescued before falling into these harmful patterns. After a thorough background check, she was enrolled in the program.

Through the MCFp sponsorship program, Mitchel was supported throughout her primary education—her school fees were paid, and she received essential supplies like uniforms and textbooks. She successfully completed her primary schooling and proceeded to high school, sitting for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2025.

Her determination and the continuous support from MCFp bore further fruit when, on 25th March 2025, she was admitted to the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Siaya County. She is now pursuing a two-year Certificate in Health Records and Information Technology.

Mitchel’s story is a powerful example of how lives can be changed through education and community support. Thanks to donations from people like you, children like Mitchel—many of whom are orphans or come from households headed by unemployed single parents—are able to dream again, learn, and work toward a better future.

Your continued support means the world to these young people. Thank you for making hope possible by turning hardship into opportunity.

Kevin, an 8-year-old boy supported through the school sponsorship program, has faced significant challenges due to his family’s unstable living conditions and financial difficulties. This report highlights Kevin’s background, the obstacles he faces, and the critical support required to secure his future.

Kevin’s family resides in Mathare, specifically in Kosovo—a section of the slum notorious for high insecurity levels. Financial instability has plagued the family, leading to frequent evictions due to unpaid rent. Recently, their landlord resorted to drastic measures, first removing their door and then their roof, rendering them homeless.

A compassionate neighbor temporarily housed the family, necessitating Kevin’s transfer to a new school. However, this arrangement was short-lived, as the host family also struggled financially. With no viable alternatives, Kevin’s family relocated to their rural home to live with an extended family of eight. Unfortunately, this has only compounded their challenges, as the host family also lacks the resources to meet basic needs like food, education, and clothing.

Kevin’s mother, who grew up without a family or stable home, has no reliable support system. Raised by a caregiver with little connection to her origins, she now faces the daunting task of providing for Kevin amidst relentless hardships.

The family’s instability has disrupted Kevin’s education, with frequent relocations threatening his ability to continue learning. Without intervention, Kevin faces a high risk of dropping out of school entirely, jeopardizing his future.

To address Kevin’s situation, the Mathare Children’s Fund Panairobi (MCFP) aims to enroll him in a boarding school, ensuring a stable, secure learning environment. This plan includes:

• Provision of Essentials: School uniforms, books, and personal items to support Kevin’s transition to boarding school.
• Counseling Services: Emotional and psychological support for Kevin and his mother to help them navigate their challenging circumstances.
• Sponsorship Support: Ensuring continuity in Kevin’s education while alleviating the burden on his family.

Kevin’s story highlights the broader challenges faced by children in vulnerable families within informal settlements. With your support, we can provide Kevin and others like him with the opportunity for uninterrupted education and a stable environment.

Your generosity can transform lives, offering children like Kevin a chance to overcome adversity and achieve a brighter future. Together, we can empower them to break the cycle of poverty and instability.

Kevin’s resilience, coupled with your support, can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Let us join hands to create a meaningful impact in his life and the lives of other vulnerable children in similar situations.

Links:

• https://mcfpanairobi.or.ke/