majimazuri.org

This was the first site to be established by Maji Mazuri. It is located on a quarter acre plot of land in Kasarani Mwiki, in the outskirts of Nairobi. The center provides a home to over 40 children, who are either mentally or physically handicapped and many of whom are orphaned, usually because of HIV/AIDS. The goal of the project is to rehabilitate the children with special needs and integrate them to normal society. As such the center also provides formal education for children.

The housing facilities consist of the permanent structures and fixtures necessary for the services offered, although not necessarily to the desired standards. The project provides food, accommodation facilities, medical and day care services and has engaged the services of a project manager who is in charge of the day to day running of the program, two special education teachers, a computer trainer, and four project support staff.

To enhance the children skills and abilities and provide them with opportunities for employment, the center offers very well organized training in computer, carpentry and dressmaking. These training services are also available to the public at a subsided fee. Some of the children, who have gone through the center, though with very serious physical handicap, have now been to local universities pursuing formal education. For example, Nicholas Oiko is waiting to join Nairobi University to pursue a degree program in humanities after successfully completing his secondary education at Thika High School. All his financial support was provided by Maji Mazuri.

MMCC lost a dedicated staff member to Cancer in November. Mercy fell ill early this year and in June was hospitalized after being diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. She was hospitalized for 4 months and discharged however she succumbed to her illness on 22^nd November after she worsened. She was laid to rest on 27^th November 2010.

The Centre is never lacking in activities with many local and international visitors coming to visit with the children. The Centre is also a registered member of Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya and in September the children attended a free medical camp hosted by the Society. The Home is also registered with Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped who have been sending a social worker to the Centre to give support counseling services to the children as well as teaching the staff the rights of the mentally handicapped in society.

The children also visited the Animal Orphanage and Mamba Village, a crocodile farm just outside the Nairobi City Centre. The children were also hosted to a music festival at the Korean Church and they won in the competitions.

The Home has also seen numerous individual and group visitors during this second half who have visited and donated foodstuffs and various items.  The children have also been invited for Christmas lunch by the Rotary Clubs in Nairobi for their annual luncheon. Several corporates and church groups have also visited the home to play with the children and donated various items.

The home was also furnished with new therapy equipment courtesy of Mt. Pisgah Church in Atlanta Georgia. The children are now receiving improved therapy services due to the kind donation.

Maji Mazuri Children’s Centre, Kasarani.

The children have enjoyed several outdoor activities this past half year. They have attended the annual Rotary Sunshine Disability rally, which was held in March 2011.

The children enjoyed a day of fun, music, food, rally cars and numerous gifts. This event is organized every year by the District 9200 Kenya Rotary Clubs for all the special needs institutions in Kenya.

Julia Fingleson, a volunteer working with the children at the home took the children out to the Uhuru Park, a recreational park in the middle of Nairobi City, where they rode boats, ate lunch, had ice cream, got their faces painted and got balloon hats.

The children’s centre is currently celebrating the remarkable progress by D. K, one of the children at the centre. When D was brought to Maji Mazuri Children’s Centre in 2006 he could not walk due to cerebral palsy related complications, after years of therapy and care at the centre. D is now able to walk with little assistance.

Another child who’s progress is notable is T. N, who could not sit or hold her head, but can now sit and has realized control of her motor skills.

The centre also recently received two months of food supply as a donation from local well wishers.

The centre has employed two new staff members, an administrative assistant and a caretaker, and admitted two new children who were brought to the centre for care.

The number of the children at the daycare class has grown from 20 in the beginning of the year to 26. The home needs regular medical supplies for the children, especially antibiotics, cough syrups, dewormers, ibuprofen and amoxyl and occupational therapy abductor seats. For proper movement of children the floor needs a fresh coat of cement and repairs.