Since March 2009, Anisa and Polly have been involved with Mpira Mtaani in a number of ways, they have frequently visited Kibera, teaching on Saturday mornings and bringing donations from various sources. They gave support to the Football Tournament, handing out medals etc and they hosted a party at The Banda School for 100 pupils who took their exams last year. However, in February this year, Polly and Anisa initiated a project which would benefit the whole community…

Our project was to build an Education Centre for the children of Mpira Mtaani. Thanks to a generous donation of £500 (56,839 Kenyan Shillings) from the Blandford Stour Rotary Club, we have been able to use the money to start a project that will benefit hundreds of children. After much discussion about how best to use the funds, we decided to buy a small plot of land in Kibera which could be built upon. Land is hard to find in the slum, but we managed to find a good area, which is close to the current classroom/library set-up. We then started our plans to build an Education Centre that would become a place where the children can always go to, a facility that Mpira Mtaani will own and be responsible for. We then worked hard to raise funds to pay for materials, labour and tools in order to start building on the land.

The project has been a huge success, the total amount of money we have raised is: 5,000 GBP = 645,315. KES. As well as our schools, many friends, family, parents and colleagues from England and Kenya have also generously donated money and resources. We have been overwhelmed by how much support and enthusiasm we have had from people we know and even people we do not know – it has been amazing!

The building was finally finished in August 2010 and since then, hundreds of very happy children have been using the facility for extra tuition, playing games, watching educational DVDs and simply a place to see their friends and feel safe. Vincent said that many children feel like it is ‘their second home’. The building is light and well-designed and consequently, it has proved to be a wonderful space for the children to use. The floor has been tiled and electricity has been put in. However, there are many occasions when they cannot rely on electricity and have to use kerosene lamps, 17 of which were donated by children at The Banda School.

On Sunday 3rd October we had our ‘Official Opening’. A group of parents, guests and visitors watched many of the children perform a variety of songs, poems and dances to celebrate the opening of the Centre. The volunteer teachers made a speech and we were all very moved by how grateful and positive the children were. It was very uplifting and extremely rewarding.

Many of the children who come to the Centre are from very underprivileged backgrounds or single parent families where education is not a priority, compared to having enough food and water. Mpira Mtaani provides free tuition and a place where the children can study in the evenings. Mpira Mtaani has made a difference to their lives and we will strive to continue to benefit many more children in the future.

We hope that this will be an on-going project as there are still many things we would like to be able to provide. For example, an outside seating area with shade netting for the community to use, guttering and a tank to provide the children with drinking water, more shelves and desks for the children to work at.

Finally, we would like to thank the parents and staff of The Banda School and Peponi School as well as our kind friends and family who have been so supportive with their time, money and donations.

With thanks,

Polly and Anisa

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