We meet every sunday from noon til 4:30. We practice computer skill, discuss health concerns, plan community events, act as big brother and big sisters to TWAAYF's kids, eat lunch together, and have fun. We even go to the beach and take field trips!
Madaraka is a nursery that educates young children regardless of their ability to pay fees. Four trained, volunteer teachers enthusiastically teach 120 kids each day, mainly though art and song. And the best part, our 3 year olds at Madaraka can read and write short words! Twaayf Youth started Madaraka in 2007 to educate their kids, they now educate there own along with many others who would not otherwise have access to early childhood education because there are no public nurseries in Kenya. It's another example of the great work TWAAYF has done, and evidence of what they will do.
Here are a few shots of the Children's Center, minus the main building, which I did not find a photo of. These are of the main open space/play area, the kitchen, our table/Mato's tin house, and the boys bed room with their new bunk beds.
Mato, Kwame, and Me, Gabrielle- our team of three knows no obstacle too large, no day too long, and no bike ride in Mombasa traffic to daunting. Though I'll admit that when we are riding in Mombasa traffic I'm scared out of my wits and Mato and Kwame have to ride in front and behind me to make sure I survive.
These are pictures of our field day with DHL. DHL hosted TWAAYF, LSF, and another youth group for a day of field games, football, dancing and eating. Mato MCed the whole thing, which he is great at, and our kids had a wonderful time. Plus TWAAYF's football team won their match and took home the DHL cup.
These are the kids of TWAAYF Children's Development Center, where I spent most of my time while in Kenya this past summer. The Likoni Scholarship Fund and TWAAYF are now partners. The young people who run TWAAYF help us to run LSF, in particular Martin helps us each week with our mentoring program. I spend lots of time with TWAAYF's kids, and this Jan, we will add TWAAYF's primary age students to LSF scholarship program. We are joining under one umbrella name, are fundraising as one, and will continue to create new programs together, long into the future. Together we will be more successful at creating change in Likoni than either organization could be on its own.
Hatua Likoni is a youth led, youth focused, community development organization dedicated to alleviating
under-education and poverty among young people in Likoni, Kenya. Through education, mentoring and career guidance, Hatua Likoni fosters personal development
and self sufficiency among young people, while promoting economic development and
civil society within Likoni. In Swahili, Hatua means “a step forward”. We help children and
youth in Likoni take that step by creating new opportunities and avenues to success.