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BACKGROUND TEXTURE

EDUCATION

MCO has established three primary schools and one secondary school. Two of the primary schools are located in Mathare while the third school is located in Kariobangi. The school in Mathare 4B was established in 1994 and currently has an enrolment of over 370 pupils. The school in Mathare No. 10 was established in 1998 and currently has an enrolment of about 471 pupils. The third school located in Kariobangi was established in 1999 and currently has an enrolment of over 370 pupils. The primary schools are from kindergarten to Standard 8. The secondary school which is located in Mathare No. 10 was established in 2005 and currently has an enrolment of about 120 students. The secondary school has been registered as an examination centre by the Kenya National Examinations Council in 2010.

 

MCO partners with Sponsors/Donors to facilitate children's sponsorship both in primary education as well as secondary education. The Children are sponsored not only in MCO schools but also in other government and private schools.

The children are under complementary intervention that focuses not only on their academic performance but also addresses their spiritual, economic, health, physical, social and psycho-social aspects. The program also addresses child rights and provides those affected by HIV/AIDS with support. Through these interventions MCO is able to reach over 140 households.

 

There has been steady enrolment in the primary schools except for MCO Mathare 4B which has experienced decline in numbers and has bad school fees payment record, partly because of community attitude, and partly because of its dilapidated condition. . The secondary school has seen remarkable improvement in enrolment since 2006. A major challenge in all the schools is lack of infrastructure and facilities that create an enabling learning environment for pupils/students. The schools have also faced the challenge of high turnover of teachers, because of poor terms of service, and also attraction to work in more secure environments.

 

Currently MCO runs three primary schools and one secondary school. These include program.The discipleship- mission training is based on the following key areas:
1. MCO primary school: Founded in the year 1994 : School is in Mathare 4B area
2.MCO Joy Primary school: Founded in the year 1998: School is in Mathare # 10 area
3.KCO Primary School: Founded in the year 1999 : School is in Kariobangi
4.MCO Mixed Secondary School : Founded in the year 2004 : the school is in Mathare # 10 area and shares a compound with MCO Joy primary school.

 

Challenges We Face

  • MCO as a change agent faces various challenges in its programme activities implementation.
    The major area is inadequate finances to effectively run its various programme. Unmet budgets in areas of feeding, educational sponsorship for poor children in the community support of children in the children's center, and low staff remuneration.
  • Infrastructure: Some of the institutions building are in poor state requiring repairs, some to be demolished and new ones put up.
  • Insecurity within Mathare slums remains a concern. Some staff members had been attacked by thugs
  • Low support and participation in programme activities by parents derailing smooth running of programme.
  • Staff retention has been a challenge due to low remuneration. Staff turnover has been high. Trained Teachers have also been joining government employment.
  • Duplication and competition in services from other NGOs, CBOs in the same locality.
  • Donor apathy compounded together with dependency/control curtails growth
  • Relocation of parents from Mathare to other areas compromising continuity of support to effected beneficiaries .

  • Mathare valley is a collection of 3 villages – No. 10, Mathare 4A and Mathare 4B – with an estimated population of 600,000

  • HIV/AIDS is amajor issue with high infection rates in the area.

  • majority of the household are headed by single women, many of whom have been in abusive relationships.