Growing up in a marginalized environment with very few opportunities to build a life outside crime has contributed to a generally poor self image among these youth. They don’t believe they are able or deserve to have a life unmarked by dire poverty. Lack of hope and low self-esteem make these youth highly susceptible to peer pressure, which often leads them to a path of crime, drugs or alcohol addiction and prostitution.
Maji Mazuri initiated a youth program to provide youth with life-skills training, educational outings and counseling. Through this program Maji Mazuri youth have been able to discover and develop their talents and learn leadership skills. They have also gained exposure to people, knowledge and new environments. All these have enabled them to develop a positive self image. Many have become role models, mentors and community leaders and are now in a position to give back to the younger Maji Mazuri members.
In the course of the years, the youth program grew into an extensive education and talent program encompassing different ages (with separate groups for teenagers, adolescents and young adults) and both formal and informal educational pathways.
The different groups now have a total membership of 80 youth from the Mathare Valley slum.
The primary and secondary schools in the Mathare Valley slum, in Kiserian and in Upper Matasia in total have approximately 940 students.
The ICT training centre in Mathare Valley Maji Mazuri has been set up in partnership with a local specialist IT training institute called Nairobits (www.nairobits.com) and provides140 students a year with basic web design skills and an opportunity to access more advanced courses at Nairobits.
In addition, Maji Mazuri is currently working towards establishing a special scholarship program for youth from underprivileged backgrounds to increase their access to higher education.
Youth who are not able to meet the requirements of a higher education program can join the Mavuno Youth micro business loan program to get a small loan and attend a tailor-made program of training and guidance while setting up a small business. For more information see Economic Empowerment.
There are 3 main projects in the Education and Talent Development program:
Head Start School
The Headstart Project serves dual purposes of providing children with beginning education and a safe environment in which to stay while their parents are working. It primarily serves those individuals involved with the Micro-Enterprise project, who would otherwise be forced to leave their children at home unattended.
Teens Group and Youth Group
The teens group was started to explore the talents of the children in Mathare Valley and redirect their talent in a positive way through creative arts, card-making, songs, drama and presentations to local churches and the community. The Teenz group is an entry point to the Youth group with they can join when they complete their primary school education.
The youth program provides life skills training and an opportunity to develop leadership. They gain valuable skills such as technology as well as self-respect, co-operation, initiative, vision for the future, career development and deeper insight into themselves and the world in which they are growing.
Kiserian School
The school was created in Kiserian to enable the children of the local Maasai community, plagued by HIV / AIDS, to gain an education in order to lead healthier lives. The school has also initiated a boarding facility for marginalized children and a high school for girls.
