When Wanjiku began her work with the women from the slum in the mid 1980s she was confronted with the concerns these women had about their children and youth. Youth in the slum have very little access to proper primary education and are at risk of becoming involved with crime or prostitution from a very young age. Growing up in an isolated and impoverished 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. The lack of hope combined with this 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 our youth have been able to discover and develop their talents, learn leadership skills and become exposed to people, knowledge and environments outside the slum. All this has enabled them to develop a positive image of themselves. Many youth 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.