ANNUAL REPORT 2007
The MJC – Kenya wishes to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks and appreciation to all our partners, both locally and abroad. We take special cognizance of
M/S Badilika, e.v. of Germany for its continued support and encouragement that has made it possible for the Centre to really achieve much these last twelve months.
We do realize that to do all the work we have done this year, calls for true commitment and dedication of all those involved in the project activity.
When the Centre was launched, the only project on hand was the Nyabeda Integrated project that covered a Nursery school, feeding project and support for widows and HIV/AIDS orphans.
In the last year the project has established another centre in Mombasa under Vikwa Bahati Welfare Group and works in close co-operation with Benezer Junior Academy in Ngong
Lately, the Centre has ventured into yet a very ambitious project entitled
Clean Drinking Water Process (SODIS). This is a water disinfection process that uses solar and it is totally free to the users. Under it a number of groups have been reached with the demonstration and are therefore fully integrated into the project.
The Centre has been able to carry out demonstrations for Sodis Water Treatment Process in the following Centers and schools:-
- Nyabeda Nursery and Primary Schools in Siaya District
- Benezer Junior Academy, Nursery and Pre=Unit School at Oloolua in Ngong Division of Kajiado District.
- Oloolua Primary School in Ngong Division of Kajiado District
- Vikwa Bahati Welfare Group and Nursery School in Mombasa District
- Bidii Women Group in Kisamis Location, Ngong Division in Kajiado District
- Several individuals who come to the Centre in quest for Sodis information.
In general it is correct to say that to-date, over 5000 children and 500 women leaders have directly or indirectly obtained information about SODIS water during the last three months and are using the water. In other words, taking into account the average number of African household which now stands at approximately four children, it is estimated that 18, 000 individuals have been put on the SODIS Water and are aware of how to process it for their own use.
In the coming month, it will be difficult to access schools due to ongoing national examinations that take place between November and December each year. Our work will therefore concentrate on women groups in those areas where we have begun our program
Another outreach has been discussed whereby I shall be attending any workshops organized by existing civil society organizations with which MJC has networked to carry out demonstrations on water disinfection using solar; that is, SODIS - Water Treatment Process that uses UV-A Radiation and thermal treatment. There are 22 such organizations currently networking with MJC-Kenya country wide through the Citizens Coalition for Constitutional Change, a human rights outfit advocating for improved quality of life by introduction of human friendly legislations.
For purposes of ensuring proper introduction, training and implementation of the project in Ngong Division, a Training of Trainers (ToT) was held for two days at the KWAHO head Office for the Ngong Team incorporating three women and 3 men
The purpose was to engage these trainers in the programme that follows in the New Year for the promotion of SODIS – Solar Water Disinfection programme in Ngong Division.
The training started on 6 and ended on 7 November, 2007 under the leadership of Mr. Joshua Ochieng of KWAHO. Besides those named above, there were also in attendance six other promoters from Kibera SODIS project. It was also attended by the visiting Eawag/Sandec representative – Ms. Heidi Brenner from Switzerland.
Ms. Brenner’s mission was to observe the IEC needs in the promotion of SODIS in Kibera and Ngong.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAM (CWSN)
In my previous reports, I mentioned that currently we have over 150 children under the center’s care in different localities. It is our intention to continue supporting these children so that they grow up into good and responsible citizens of this nation.
It is to be noted that the children we are caring for are orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS and in majority of cases have lost both parents.
The children’s needs are as follows:-
- Shelter
- Clothes
- Food
- Medical support
- Education
- Vocational Training
It is good to note that Primary School education in Kenya is now free in public schools only. This idea sound very good, however, it was introduced in a hurry for political mileage and no attention was made to ensure proper infrastructure to accommodate the influx of children attending such schools. Besides, there are no sufficient provisions for teachers as a result; classes that were built to accommodate 40 pupils are now taking up to three times that number. The result is poor performance and increased level of absenteeism due to chronic diseases such as stomach ache, fever, colds, coughing, etc due to high congestion in the classes. The teachers are also affected health wise because of pressure of work.
We are now told that after the current general elections, it is the intention of the government to introduce free secondary education in public schools throughout the country. This sound good news, however, like free primary school education, one wonders how successful it is going to be?
The center’s policy is to offer quality education the children under our care. We do note that the children we are looking after are the sole survivors in the families where they come from. For this reason, it is very imperative that we support them in such a way that will enable them live a successful life after we are through with them.
Our concern goes for those children who pass through our nursery schools and end up in government sponsored primary schools where the quality of education has gone down quite considerably. There are over 155 such children whose future now we cannot guarantee. We are only able to take good care of five girl students; namely, Doris Achieng, Jacqueline Anyango, Violet Apiyo, Monicah Wanjiru and Khadija Athuman. Who are all sponsored by well-wishers in Germany
We have 25 children who urgently need sponsors to enable them continue with their education at Mombasa, Nyabeda and Benezer.
Finally after very long discussions and problems encountered at Nyabeda, Mama Felgona was able to put-up a new center where all our activities will be co-ordinate. It has been very difficult to achieve many goals under the previous organizations. This was very often hindered and blocked especially by villages that made it impossible to develop. We decided to break away from the village and establish a private organization. The new center will no longer be community based. A kindergarten, toilets and small kitchen have just been completed and it will open under the new name of Badilika Children’s Center. The registration is also complete and 30 children have enrolled for lessons in January 2008.
Mama Felgona also visited Benezer School in Ngong, where she spent a day with Ms Musera who coached and gave her tips and material on running such a center. A further trip to Vikwa Bahati is planned during the course of 2008. This has been very valuable as she lacks knowledge and experience on running a privately based center.
MJC is very proud therefore to integrate this new center and we are all determined to see this prosper in 2008.
We wish to record our deep appreciation to all those who have worked very hard to made our program such a success. In this regard we would particularly like to thank the following organizations, friends and individuals:-
Messrs. Badilika, eV. Germany – Overall support including fundraising, administration and maintenance of website and professional advice on various issues affecting our work in all the three centers currently managed by MJC- Kenya
Mrs. Linda Gehan, The League of Women Voters – Clemson Chapter, South Carolina, USA for the Feeding Program of orphan children at Nyabeda Rehabilitation Center.
Finally, my word of thanks and appreciation also go to the local teams in charge of the various centers under the management of MJC- Kenya in Mombasa – Vikwa Bahati Welfare Group and Nyabeda Rehabilitation Center in Nyanza.
Report Compiled by
Jael O. Mbogo
Executive Director
MAMA JAEL CENTER FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT
December 2007
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