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Germany & Kenya
Schools in Kenya
Help for self-help in Nairobi, Kenya
The starting point
Strengthening education where it is most lacking
80% of Nairobi’s residents, i.e. more than 3 million people, live in slums on just 5% of the residential area, crammed into small corrugated iron huts without running water or sanitation and often surrounded by rubbish. In the neighbouring slums of Kangemi and Kawangware, there are around 6 state schools and some 90 community schools – private initiatives of the residents – for 80,000 children.
The school fees paid by parents barely cover the teachers’ meagre salary of 1 euro a day, not to mention the holiday months without pay. The schools lack desks and adequate sanitation; the rooms are small, cramped and dark, and several classes are often taught at the same time.
of Nairobi’s residents – more than 3 million people – live in slums on just 5% of the residential area
children in Kangemi and Kawangware – with only around 6 state schools for them
community schools run as private initiatives of the residents
Since 2005
From the first encounter to partnership
In 2005, Irmgard Wutte got to know one of these schools, the Kangemi Youth School, and was shocked by how deeply traumatised the people were. She followed the urgent plea of all the teachers not to forget them. For more than 7 years she visited the school with friends, and the initial shyness and submissiveness gradually gave way to a cheerful, trusting bond.
In 2012, a school partnership began with the first Nyendo school in Prien am Chiemsee in Bavaria. Since then, a total of 12 schools in Germany and Austria and 14 community schools in Kangemi/Kawangware have taken part in the experiment of a partnership in which we learn with and from each other across the gulfs between our worlds.
Our path has led us through various phases with a wide range of projects to relieve hardship and with intercultural encounters and activities. We have truly succeeded in both, and we have actively and wholeheartedly broken down the ghettoisation of our friends.
Help for self-help, however, remains a major challenge. The trauma of helplessness runs deep, and pity, shame and guilt all too quickly tempt us to step in and fix things where self-empowerment would be the only solution. But what options are there?
In 2020 we finally found a local partner, Nairobits, with whom we were able to support a truly sustainable offer for disadvantaged young people by setting up a new IT centre. 70% of the graduates find work.
With our approach, we can imagine finding partners anywhere in the world with whom we can create a small piece of a fair and peaceful world.
Our partners on the ground
An insight into our network of partner schools
Bethany Joy School
Bethel Community Development Centre
It is difficult to raise the required rent as we need to pay 3 years rent as indicated on the lease, this makes it unaffordable for expansion.
Some children lack the necessities like stationeries, uniform and desks.
Love School Center
Not so many parents are able to pay fees, which makes it difficult for us to pay the rent.
There is high teacher turnover due to low salaries.
St. Christopher Fischer Academy
The institution caters to the needs of both the needy and the less fortunate.
The institution teaches learners to become self-sufficient through bead work, soap making and basket weaving.
Prosperity Junior Centre
We proudly serve students comprising of both boys and girls at the primary level from our direct neighborhood in Kangemi and kawangware.
Our path
The journey is the destination
There are many projects that relieve hardship, but finding or initiating projects that support personal initiative, entrepreneurship and self-empowerment is extremely difficult. KDI, the Kounkuey Design Initiative in the Kibera slum, is a unique shining example. In Kangemi and Kawangware we try to involve local partners such as NairoBits or Start Somewhere One thing is certain: our heartfelt interest and tireless efforts are healing the imbalance caused by exploitative interests. The journey is the destination, and constant dripping wears away the stone.
With our approach, we can imagine finding partners anywhere in the world with whom we can create a small piece of a fair and peaceful world.