This year the SIPA team performed the first ever outside evaluation of Jitegemee’s Formal Schooling Program.  The team conducted a comprehensive impact assessment of the program, with an emphasis on health and social outcomes for participating primary school students and their families.  The initial findings of the evaluation were very encouraging:

“We found that the Formal Schooling Program leads to both positive overall health and social outcomes. One of the major contributing factors to improving students’ health is the feeding program, which provides free lunch on a daily basis during the week. In addition, regular check-ups from the Jitegemee doctor and access to medication have had a large impact on both students and their families. With regard to social outcomes, we concluded how Jitegemee’s financial support – especially in terms of providing uniforms and shoes – has helped the students to feel like they belong among their peers, allowing them to focus more on their studies and less on social stresses. The financial support has also had a major impact on families, enabling parents to put the money they save toward other household expenses, as well as to better outfit the students’ siblings for school.

We also found additional positive financial, educational, health and interpersonal relationship outcomes based on the four areas of impact that we identified during Phase II, and determined that Jitegemee’s impact on relationships was the area where there was the most room for improvement.”

We are sincerely grateful to the SIPA students and faculty for all of their hard work.  Their recommendations for improvement will help guide us as we continue to build a better Jitegemee for our students.  When you get a chance, please check out the full report.

After my hottest week in Machakos, it rained. Really rained. It started Sunday afternoon and it actually only stopped raining earlier today. Now there is heavy mud everywhere, or “ndaka” in Kikamba, which a man in the matatu told me I had collected lots of on my shoes .

Unfortunately the rain has come several weeks too late to save the crops. But a few weeks ago my family was able to harvest a massive sack of beans and some thumb-sized bananas from their shamba farm. Many of Jitegemee’s families are hit hard by the increasingly unpredictable rains so it was a good time to talk about protecting the environment with the students.

Two Saturdays ago, all of the primary school students came to the center. We talked about what the term environment means, the interdependent nature of ecosystems, and why it’s important to protect it. I tried hard to make it relevant to their lives. Not just “recycle used peanut butter jars and decorate them for fun” as my Google search had suggested. I wanted the students to understand that pollution and dwindling natural resources pose a serious threat for our generation. If we throw our litter on the ground, livestock/a small child could mistake it for food and choke on it. We could further pollute the water. Climate change affects the rains. We will eventually run out of fossil fuels.

With Jitegemee about to start the construction of a new, “green” center, we wanted the students to understand that it doesn’t mean it will be painted that color, as one primary school student suggested. The new building will have solar panels for electricity, a solar hot water heater for cooking, toilets that use little/no water, a roof designed to collect water, and a large shamba.

I organized 3 activities: an environmental scavenger hunt, the “taka taka challenge!” (just a rubbish pickup), and some typing and drawing activities on the computers. The kids excitedly ran around the center looking for the different things I had asked for. One group even found a turkey, which I didn’t think lived in Kenya, let alone Jitegemee’s grounds.

-Calum

As mentioned on our Twitter feed and Facebook page (you are following those aren’t you? ) Jitegemee welcomed its first intern to Machakos a little over a month ago. Calum is taking a gap year to travel the world, experience life, and hopefully make a difference along the way. We’re happy to have him working with our students and staff at Jitegemee, and we are excited to hear about his time there. Throughout the course of his stay we will occasionally be cross-posting updates from his blog “Merry Go Round,” here on our site. Below is the first such post, ENJOY!

For over a month now I’ve been working with the NGO Jitegemee in Machakos, Kenya that rehabilitates street children through formal and vocational education. I’m their first long-term volunteer and I’m working on developing a basic computer skills curriculum, a networked computer lab and a litter management program. Living with a local family has given me an opportunity to fully experience life here. They have made me feel like their son always referring to each other as “mom” and “dad”. Many of our conversations are spent comparing our cultures and asking each other questions. What I’ve found most interesting is how surprised they are when I explain how different life is back home. I remember their shock when I explained I didn’t know how to make chapatis because I don’t eat them back home. But they’ve made sure to teach me and now I’m pretty much an expert- I’ll post some instructions soon.

Over the first two week of January, we had many visitors to Jitegemee. Two Columbia graduate students studying international development came for 10 days to research the impact of the formal schooling programme. Not sure how they got anything done as we spent most of our time together dancing with all the students. Their findings fully support the huge, life changing impact that Jitegemee has on children’s lives. Just read ”REFORMED“, a poem written by several vocational students, and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Last Friday we had three donors visit from the US who shared a day of performances and celebration with us here. Hopefully soon I will be able to find the internet power to upload some pictures.

Slowly I’ve been making progress teaching the students how to use computers. We have five (if we’re lucky and they all decide to work) in a mini-lab that is now decorated with some posters the students made about the different parts of the computer. Since the most of them had never touched one before, I start by teaching them about the parts, why its important to learn computers, and how many jobs can benefit from using them. Then we move into turning them on and off correctly, and how to hold the mouse and use the left click. My first major activity involves the paint application and they have all loved learning how to draw and color on the computer. It’s a fun way to learn about interacting with the computer using the mouse. Some of them have been able to create really detailed portraits, maps of Kenya and Africa, and 3D houses. It’s amazing to think that a week ago most of them had never used a computer before and now they’re able to do all that. This week I’ve been introducing them to the keyboard, going through what all the keys do and having the students practice using them. In the next few weeks we will continue to work on typing and formatting. I’ve also been working with the teachers on typing, word processing, powerpoint, and video editing. Hopefully by next week we will have the entire center connected to the internet so everyone can start playing with it.

For the litter project, we now have five bins for taka taka trash and a bottle of soap. I made some posters about keeping Jitegemee clean and healthly and put them up all over the place. I’ve started to explain it all to the students and already I’ve seen many people putting their trash into the bins instead of throwing it on the floor.And we’ve nearly finished the bottle of soap. Great success! Hopefully we’ll be able to get hand sanitizer dispensers which I think will be better for the limited water supply.

Now I’m off to Nairobi to spend the weekend with my host brother. What a crazy life!

By Calum

Today, thankfully, rain has returned and our economy has begun to recover. But the price of food and basic goods has remained too high for many poor families. Many children dropped from school due to lack of food and money for small expenses, such as after-school tuition payments. But thanks to the friends and supporters of Jitegemee, we managed to walk the year without registering any school drop outs.

Our work with street children is driven at all times by understanding that each child is an individual with a unique set of experience, aspirations, needs and challenges. We conduct comprehensive surveys in schools that our children attend to assess their academic progress. We also ensure that we conduct personal evaluations of all Jitegemee-sponsored school children, especially during the three month-long school holidays that they spend at our center. This assists us make the right decision on how to support the kids. Talking with their teachers and classmates helps Jitegemee staff understand our children’s challenges even better. Each one of us does his part and considers that the welfare of these children is our own responsibility.

This year, we held a graduation ceremony for 54 vocational students (21 girls and 33 boys) who have made the transition from the streets to the workplace. “I don’t know where I would be now if it were not for the Jitegemee program,” said Lucy Ka-vunga, who is now a qualified tailor and dressmaker. “It is amazing that I play a very great role in supporting my family with food and school support for my siblings.

“Before I joined Jitegemee I would not express myself, I was untrustworthy and did not care what happened,” said Stephen Mwanzia, who has been trained in motor vehicle wiring. “My mentor has a lot of trust in me. I am the person keeping records for this business and I do help him manage his work. He says he has a lot of faith in me and the customers give him similar information. Thank you Jitegemee supporters for helping me become who I am.”

Many of the vocational graduates have been employed by the mentors who taught them their trade. Others have opted to start their own small businesses. Street children are robbed of their dignity through communities’ ignorance and fear; but Jitegemee has come out strongly to empower them and reaffirm their potential. Contrary to when the children were in the streets, now the majority of community members want to be associated with Jitegemee graduates. Street children need support to succeed in life.

Our secondary school program has not lagged behind. Currently, Jitegemee supports 13 scholars in prestigious secondary schools. This year, Nzioka Paul, who just began his first year at Kitondo Secondary School, has so far scored an A in all subjects, including science and mathematics. Sophie Mutuku, an orphan who began her first year at Misyani Girls High School, posted a B in almost all subjects.

Jitegemee is also pleased to report outstanding success in college. One recent graduate, Mwende Musyoka, is already employed in early education, while another, Musa Tom, is working as a trained electrician.

We attribute much of this success to our “attachment” program, where secondary school students spend school breaks working in an office or an institution as an unpaid intern. This program has built up the career ambitions of our students. After spending time working at a state-run wire news service, Jitegemee scholar Muli Kieti will be joining Kenya School of Mass Communication. Another recent secondary school graduate, Mbithe Mutinda also intends to pursue a Diploma in Journalism, while Lilian Syokau will be joining the Kenya Medical Training College for a Diploma in Nursing.

Through experiences like these, Jitegemee’s children are developing personal esteem and are fulfilling their responsibilities for supporting other children. This year, we invited our secondary school kids to orient the younger Class 8 candidates on what happens in secondary school. Secondary school graduates also gave a talk about their life experiences after school to all Jitegemee scholars, demonstrating how former street children have developed aspiration and ambition for the future in addition to a sense of commitment to others.

In 2010, Jitegemee is working hard to realize our goal of building a new educational center with offices, classrooms, a library and a computer lab on an acre of land that we purchased last year. Although we have faced some unexpected hurdles along the way, we know that we shall realize our goal. We sincerely appreciate your donations which have made all this possible. Together, we will continue to make a difference in these children’s lives.

By Mike Kimeu

But we are proud that our children did not drop out of school, even with these many problems. We attribute this success to our lunch program where more than 75 students come to eat daily. We worked hard to ensure that children have food, clothes, medical and support.

Our strategy remained participatory and collaborative. We have an outreach program to meet with street kids, observe them to understand their potential, and act as a catalyst for change and holistic development. This year, we recruited 30 new students from the streets to our vocational program, which is proving to be one of our most successful.

After 6 months of rehabilitation classes, youth who despaired in life start to build their ambition. We then place these youth in hands-on apprenticeships with skilled tradesmen. About 80 percent of our graduates are earning money from their trade through commissions, employment or self-employment.

I am also pleased to report progress among our students in formal education. Our students did very well in their exams last fall, and this year we enrolled six children in prestigious secondary schools, including two in Machakos Boys High School, the best in the district, where they are now scoring A’s in mathematics and science. Another joined Makueni Boys, another leading district school. Three others also performed very well and joined Kaumoni, Kathiiani, and Mumbuni Girls High School, three respected provincial schools.

Jitegemee improves academic excellence and motivation by introducing empowerment sessions during month-long school vacations. During the April holiday, all the secondary school scholars were enrolled in tutoring classes to help them improve their skills. “I believe the tutoring I attended during the holiday has given me a new perspective about organizing my time in school,” Mbithe Mutinda, a high school senior said.

We also invite motivational speakers, counselors, teachers and parents to talk with the children to encourage them. Children who joined Jitegemee have been able to see that teachers, parents and others in the community care for them. They have been able to translate this into care for themselves and a commitment to their own lives. In this way, former street kids have developed aspirations and ambitions for their future.

Last summer, Jitegemee launched a microloan program with a pilot group of 14 kids with the aim of bringing loans into process with former street youth. The aim was to create opportunities for the kids to start or improve their business by issuing loans of about $50 to graduates of our vocational program who submitted promising business plans. We faced a number of challenges, as some youth involved in the program took jobs outside Machakos, making repayment a challenge. About 60% of the funds were repaid. This year, Jitegemee staff revised the program to increase parental involvement, institute closer monitoring and require that youth who participate save a certain amount with Jitegemee before receiving a loan. This spring, we issued another round of microloans, and so far the program is working smoothly. Jitegemee also acquired its own tools, which youth borrow for their businesses. For example, two vocational graduates who learned tailoring borrowed Jitegemee’s sewing machines to make school uniforms to sell.

As you know, Jitegemee has had a long-term goal of acquiring our own office, vocational class, and library and computer lab. Now, our dream is almost coming true. We are in the process of purchasing an acre of land, and will begin the process of designing our new building this fall, with input from parents, staff, kids, and experts. Your donation will go a long way towards making this plan a reality and serving more street youth to become self- sustaining and productive members of society.

By Mike Kimeu

We are pleased to report tremendous progress among our students. Over the past year, we have had no drop-outs from elementary school, as we have worked to ensure that the children had the food, counseling, healthy homes and medical care they need. Two of our students this year did extremely well on their exams and proceeded on to prestigious provincial secondary schools. One of them, Mutindi Mativo, is an orphan who lived with a well-wisher identified by Jitegemee while she completed primary school and took her exams. Now she is doing extraordinarily well, and has a goal of becoming a computer scientist. Her report card proves that she can do it: she is doing well in math and has an A in Physics—a very rare grade.

Our vocational students are also doing wonderfully. In December, Jitegemee organized a special graduation ceremony for our first two classes of vocational graduates, who have spent more than a year in hands-on apprenticeships, mastering various trades. Of the 39 vocational graduates who completed our most recent survey, 75% are currently employed or self-employed. More than a third of these graduates hope to be running their own business one day. The main challenge they face is finding the funds for start-up costs.

So, in January, Jitegemee launched a pilot program to provide micro-loans to these young people. In partnership with the Canada-based organization, Street Kids International, we trained youth on business skills and street banking, record-keeping, and making and spending profits. The Street Kids International educational tools exposed our graduates to various sources of financing and introduced them to the concept of forming a solidarity group.

After completing the training, a group of 13 graduates who are all employed or self-employed were given loans of between 3,000 Ksh each (about $50 to $80 each). They were each asked to develop a plan for how they would use the capital. They were also asked to open bank accounts in order to receive the funds. Next, the group of vocational graduates formed a solidarity group to act as a guarantor to the loan. Over the next six months, these youths will repay their loans, gaining support and assistance from their solidarity group. Then, our graduates will be ready to join another community-based microfinance organization aimed at serving adults.

In this way, Jitegemee has surely changed lives of street children, giving them a chance to earn their living, grow their businesses and support their siblings and families. This experience proves that street kids are not deviants or criminals—as some believe—but children who have been robbed of their dignity. Today, after years of work, training and your kind donations, our vocational graduates are self-sustaining, responsible young adults, helping their own families.

By Mike Kimeu

During my trip to Kenya, nearly every Jitegemee graduate who took a loan reported significant increases in their monthly earnings. John Maingi Nzau, a freelance electronics repairman, used his loan to buy a tool he needed to repair large radio speakers. Now he estimates that he earns about $65 per month—about 30% more than he did before the loan. Michael Wambua Musau, a 20- year-old carpenter, bought wood with his loan. Since he works on a commission basis when he uses his employer’s wood, the loan allowed him to be paid 100% on certain jobs. That has boosted his salary by 25%, he estimates, to about $40 per month. Christopher Munyao Mumo, a 23-year-old self-employed welder, also bought raw materials with his loan. He estimates that his earnings increased by 50% to about $120 per month.

In Machakos— where entry-level elementary school teachers might earn about $150 per month—these salaries speak to the considerable financial success that Jitegemee’s vocational graduates have achieved.

These salaries contribute not only to the well-being of these youths, but also their families. Michael Musau, an orphan who once came barefoot to class at Jitegemee, is the sole breadwinner of the home where he lives with his grandmother. Christopher Mumo, who used to earn money fetching water as a teenager, has now amassed a bank account with $300 in savings from his own welding business and is currently paying for his little sister’s dressmaking classes as well as contributing to the food and upkeep of his other siblings.

To repay their loans, these vocational graduates formed their own self-help society that meets every Wednesday to support one another, financially and emotionally. Every week, each member contributes $5, half of which goes to Jitegemee toward repayment of their loans, and the other half of which is put in a communal pot. Each week, the members vote on who should get the pot. Whoever receives the pot gets a windfall of new capital for their emerging businesses.

The group provides an important financial safety net. When a member is unable to repay the loan that week, other members contribute to cover it and are refunded later.

Seeing this group of former street children become skilled craftsmen and entrepreneurs has been among the most exciting and gratifying experiences of my life. But few could explain what these young people have achieved better than Felistus Mumbu Mutua, a 20- year-old hairdresser who was elected chairwoman of the vocational students’ solidarity group.

Felistus earns about $80 per month through commissions. She used her $60 loan to buy hair products, because she earns a higher commission when she uses her own products. Here is what she had to say about the experience:

 Q: How does your microfinance self-help group work?

A: Our group is seven weeks old. We meet on Wednesdays. We take tea together. Sometimes there comes a time when you don’t have any money to repay the loan. So other people in the group contribute and the next week, you refund the money.

Q: What is your biggest challenge?

A: Sometimes people don’t come for meetings and they don’t send apologies, so I am forced to go out looking for them. When I find them, we negotiate and they pay their share.

Q: How do you feel about having a bank account?

A: I feel good. I have been able to save a lot. I was the first person in my family to open a bank account. Now, I am encouraging my sister.

Q: What are your personal goals?

A: I want to have my own salon. I thought I would have my own salon by now, but it has taken me longer to save what I need. I have to provide a lot in my family and pay secondary school fees for my sister, so it has taken me more time.

Q: Why were you chosen as chairlady?

A: Sometimes I am tough. I take things seriously. No joking around.

By Farah Stockman

In order to motivate these children to work hard in school, Jitegemee has committed itself to paying for secondary school, and in some cases, college, for those who achieve excellent results on their exams.

Last year, our class eight candidates disproved any one with a notion that street kids cannot excel in their exams. Our six candidates performed so well nearly all of them were admitted to prestigious schools. One boy in particular, Peter Muasya, posted second in the division and joined one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Kenya: Starehe Boys Center.

Agnes Kavita, a child who has come through very difficult circumstances, could not be left behind; she scored high marks and joined Makueni Girls High School, another prestigious institution. It is amazing that Agnes scored the highest of all our girls, even after her mother threw her out of the house at a young age. Throughout her childhood, Agnes found refuge in Jitegemee. The Jitegemee Board chair in Machakos, Terry Mutuku, a former school inspector, took Agnes into her own home. We strongly believe that Terry’s mentorship contributed dearly to Agnes’ success.

Kisilu Maweu, George Okoth, Mutheu Muia and Mandi Musyimi performed well too and joined Mwaani boys, Machakos Boys, Masii Girls and Kitonyini Secondary School respectively. Their academic success shows that street children with a will to succeed just need a little support to remove the obstacles that prevent them from attaining their educational goals.

The introduction of Jitegemee’s hot lunch program has contributed to the success of the primary school kids, most of whom walk from their schools to our center daily to eat a nutritious meal. The result has been striking: This year, there were no drop-outs from primary school. Children in our program no longer look gloomy and unhappy due to hunger. The head teacher at St. Mary’s Boys School once commented that “Jitegemee scholars are always very smart.” This has been a dream for the program to ensure that our very disadvantaged children—many of whom are orphans or are from struggling single-parent families—don’t feel neglected and different from other children.

Jitegemee started another exciting program this year to help Jitegemee’s older students understand the needs and requirements of the work environment. We began an internship program that seeks to link high school students and recent graduates with professional mentors to prepare them for employment after graduation. After interviewing students about the fields they aspire to pursue, Jitegemee partnered with various institutions including the local hospital, a law firm and government departments, who provided internship opportunities to five of our students during the spring vacation. The internship helped students sharpen their skills and develop in their respective areas of specialization. The program has so far started to yield fruits, with the students saying that they are seeing life in a different dimension now.

Muthoki Kiilu, a third-year high school student, said her internship at the district office of the Ministry of Information changed her view of her own future. “I did not know I can make it until I worked in the District Information Office,” she said. “This is a kind of eye opener to me in the field I want to specialize.” Jitegemee hopes to expand this program to allow additional students to participate.

Jitegemee is also making great strides in the vocational training program. We have recruited a new class of 25 students who are currently learning life and business skills in our classrooms. In the coming months, we will pair them up with local mentors who will teach them hands-on skills in trades such as carpentry, welding, tailoring, hair dressing, and mechanics. More than 75 youth have benefited from Jitegemee’s vocational program, attaining the skills required to kick start their lives by either venturing into their own small business or by getting employed.

To help our vocational graduates get started in their new trades, Jitegemee has begun a partnership with a local microfinance group who will lend our skilled students small amounts of money so that they can access raw materials to begin their businesses. At the moment, some vocational graduates are working on commission basis, while others have secured jobs and are acting as mentors to younger kids as they continue acquiring skills and experience. This is realizing Jitegemee’s dream of street children teaching other street children. Now that we have accessed money for materials for the skilled youth, the next step is to have a pool of larger tools that Jitegemee’s vocational graduates can borrow as they launch their own small businesses. Your donation will go a long way towards making this a reality and seeing more Jitegemee children become self-sustaining adults.

By Mike Kimeu

But perhaps the most exciting development has been the graduation of our “pioneer” class of vocational students. They have already completed more than one year of apprenticeship, and they are ready to take the next step in life. A survey of all 22 graduated students shows that 68% of them are currently working, and more than half of them are earning enough to significantly increase the household incomes of their families or their guardians. 91% want to start their own businesses. Nearly half of this class is now serving as mentors for the next class of vocational scholars. Our graduates are training the new students under the supervision of an experienced artisan. This is a big step toward our dream of making children self reliant, and of children giving back to others. Now our biggest challenge lies in preparing these youth for their next step in life: toward better-paying jobs or businesses of their own.

The vocational program this year has been greatly supported by two new grant sources, Safaricom Foundation, the non-profit arm of a cell phone company in Kenya, and Child Relief International, a private family foundation. Gifts from these donors also made it possible this year for us to serve hot lunch to our primary school children and vocational scholars. On behalf of the board members, staff and the children, I am pleased indeed to thank all of our generous donors! T his year, we also celebrated the graduation of our first high school student. His grades were good enough to qualify for a government college. We have three children in Standard 8 (8th grade), who are preparing for the biggest test of their lives this fall to determine whether they will get into secondary school. Our primary students are a very good group with lots of potential for higher education.

One challenge we faced this year is how to prepare our secondary school students for life after graduation. We are now beginning a program that will give these youth a chance to work at unpaid internships during their vacations to give them more direction.

We always have new goals. This year, we hope to hire a new staff member who will concentrate on helping children to prepare for college, jobs and secondary education. We would also like to establish local fundraising strategies to supplement the efforts in the United States. And finally, we want to create a computer lab where the sponsored street children can have access to computer training.

Jitegemee’s progress this year, and every year, comes from the generosity of friends like you. Thanks to all of you who have helped us get to where we are today. We hope that you will think of us as we go forward into tomorrow.

This year, these same 25 young people are confident, reliable workers immersed in their second phase of training. Each morning, they go to work as apprentices to carpenters, welders, tailors and hairdressers. Every lunch hour, they eat together as a class and share experiences. Once a week, they meet Jitegemee staff for counseling, learning and support.

Mike Kimeu, our program director in Kenya, says this one -on-one mentoring provides a better education than more expensive, formal training, because youth get real-life on-the-job experience and build relationships that will help them earn a living in the future. Some students are already earning a commission from their labor.

“Taking kids to mentors in the field is working better than taking kids to vocational schools for training,” Mike says. “They are doing really well because the learning is practical.” It is a testament to the dedication of these young people—and to Jitegemee’s staff—that not one student has dropped out of this program.

Mike and his fellow teachers are now recruiting the next class through outreach workshops that Mike holds for the town’s street kids. This new class will be guided under the same principle as the last: once you master a skill, you will repay the program by serving as a mentor for another generation of youth.

Jitegemee’s primary schools students are also thriving, thanks to government-subsidized lunch, which has prompted a great improvement in their grades. “This term, the results are quite encouraging,” Mike says. Jitegemee plans to continue to provide free lunch for all our primary school children when this vital subsidy runs out.

Jitegemee is also developing internships for our secondary school scholars during their vacations. We hope that our students will soon volunteer in hospitals, law offices, or other institutions to prepare themselves for life after graduation.

Jitegemee would like to offer a special thanks to a group of interested professionals in Machakos who have formed our local advisory board, providing guidance, advice, and support. We would also like to express our deep gratitude to Safaricom, a Kenyan cell phone company that has given us a grant to help fund our vocational program.

By Farah Stockman and Mike Kimeu