Educate and Feed 85 At-Risk Kids in Kibera, Kenya

For 13 years, St. Vincent's Nursery School has provided approximately 85 young children each year with a healthy start through its education, feeding and support program. But many ask, what happens to these children after they leave our care? 

St. Vincent's support doesn't end with our nursery school -- that's merely the beginning of our engagement with needy families. After children graduate from the nursery school, we continue to be a resource to families and follow how children are doing. We do what we can with the little resources we have available to help families access the services they need for their children, making sure that the work we have done to give children a strong start is not lost. 

As part of this effort, we identify the most vulnerable children and families and help them to pay for school fees and supplies so that their children can be enrolled and stay in school after they leave our nursery school. In 2013, St. Vincent's is pleased to report that we have supported 24 children from primary to college level with scholarships that cover school fees and other associated costs. This support is a huge assistance to families; it helps keep children in the family while also ensuring continued access to education.  

As always, thank you for your continued support of our work in Kibera!

In high-density Kibera, open space is rare. For children attending school within Kibera, classrooms are compact and recess time confined to small, enclosed spaces where children typically play with tires and other homemade toys. Throughout the year, St. Vincent's hosts Sports Days to give our nursery school and rescue center children the chance to be active and play unconfined. These days are much anticipated by our children. 

On a sunny July morning, students were bussed to a local park along with teachers, older children from the rescue center, and many volunteers. Handmade balls wound with twine and tape, wooden blocks, and ropes filled both the free play time and were used for planned activities. Each child appeared enamored and occupied with the expanse of green grass, opportunity to freely chase and cartwheel, and the chance to win stickers, given out by Teacher Alice for small field day victories. Milk, biscuits, and oranges were handed out, as children waited patiently for their turn after rinsing their hands in water retrieved by volunteers. We wrapped up the day cleaning the green space, children picking up much more waste than belonged to them. The day ultimately left both children and park better than before. 

Links:

• St. Vincent's Website