I went out to the school to celebrate the end of the semester. The school closes at December 1 and they are on break until January 3:rd. I had a long conversation with Reverend George where he was telling me about the challenges in running a school in the slums. He told me that school doesn't cost anything in Kenya, but the overcrowding and lack of good teachers makes the quality bad. In Mathare, there is a public school but it is mainly just a place to go to and play football and hang out during the days. There is not enough teacher to accomodate all the kids in the area. This is why he started Excellent about 6 years ago.
Excellent is a private school and it's run by a board of parents. The school fee is 300 kes a month (about 3 USD) and this is a big amount for many families in the area.
Many of the kids don't have enough food during the days and this makes them tired during class. This is a big concern for George and he would like to establish a food program, but with 600 students the money is just not there. They only give their teachers a small allowance and this is also a problem. Who can afford to feed a family on a small salary of 2 500 Kes a month?
The primary school ends after grade 8 when the students take the national exam. If they perform well enough, they are allowed to go on to secondary school. The students from Excellent performs better and better each year. Last year Reverend George went around to boarding schools all over Kenya to beg them to admit his students. He actually got almost everyone in to a secondary school on scholarships/reduced school fees and for free.
He also told me that even though school is mandatory some kids just don't show up. Sometimes they have to care for siblings or other family members, but sometimes they just run away. Young girls often gets offered to marry an older man and think he will provide for them but more often than not they just end up alone with a few kids. Sometimes the kids need to collect scrap metal to sell and help provide for their families. Often they turn to criminality to provide for themselves.
George is really a concerned head master and told me that sometimes, when the students run away he brings the police and goes to find them. He's usually successful in getting them back to school.
It is believed that most of the adults in Mathare is infected by HIV/Aids, but no one really knows because the opportunities to be tested are limited. Most of the children are, surprisingly, not affected (the ones that are, die at a very young age) and if affected, are given medication in the school.
Excellent also helps to care for people in the community who are bedridden. They give them food and medication. The need is endless and unfortunately the staff in Excellent can only tend to the ones who are really sick. The school also has a counseling program for the members of the community and offer them a refuge in the school when there are problems in the family. Often on my visits on saturdays there is mothers with children in the school, hiding from spousal abuse.
It is surprising to me that although life is so hard in the slums, every time I go there to visit, the kids are so happy and welcoming. They sing and clap their hands and loves to be photographed (and they absolutely want to check their photos on the camera display). They always wants to shake our hands and follow us around the school. I'm so impressed by Reverend George who truly is an inspiration. He treats the kids with respect, love and lots of humour and makes a big difference in a lot of children's lives.
Reverend George, the Headmaster
Me, walking in the street, all dressed up.
Holding a speech for the students at the end of their first term in the school year.
