Going to Kibera in Nairobi. Matatus provide transportation in the city. This one is loaded to the hilt.
Mama Margaret Nyabuto is the founder and director of Tenderfeet Education Center. For many years, she has poured her heart and soul into educating needy and vulnerable children.
Arriving at Mama Margaret's house. Ezra (foreground), Dax, and Shadrack. Margaret lives in the slums herself and her two-room house is tiny and also is used to store food and supplies for the school.
Lahash representative Edwin Angote and Mama Margaret's son Ezra. Generous donations made sure Ezra had an important surgery in June.
The start of the visit to Kibera. Dax, Margaret's husband Daniel, and Nick are recognized and welcomed at a church in Kibera. Margaret had already been recognized. The service lasted 3 hrs.
We visited the homes of several students. This grandmother takes care of 6 orphan grandchildren, including Tenderfeet students Moses Mirigi and Faith Wambui (in the purple dress)
This tiny, dark room is where Moses Mirigi lives. Often 3-5 children and/or adults share a single bed.
There is no trash pickup or indoor toilets in Kibera, so residents must cope with huge trash piles and pay for latrines.
Visiting another Tenderfeet parent. Left to right: Daniel, Dax, Nick, Mama Margaret
Kids in Kibera were usually eager to greet a Muzungu (white person). Most residents are skeptical that visitors will bring real change or improvement, and feel that their misery is being exploited for the benefit of people outside of Kibera.
A Kibera kitchen. All cooking is done on small kerosene or charcoal stoves. Water must be fetched from the nearest faucet (sometimes several hundred yards away), and a fee is paid for the water.
Jacklyn Otieno, being counseled to get her son Collins tested for HIV. She did, and sadly he is positive but now he can get proper treatment. We are seeking a sponsor for Collins.
Jacklyn Otieno's house. The nearest latrine is at the top of a steep and winding pathway, which is terrible to deal with when she's sick.
Esther Nduta's mother visits with Frank. Frank is a Tenderfeet helper, and makes many contributions of his time and energy to help the school and community.
This one-room residence has 3 children and bad problems with rats, which were making themselves known during the visit. Rat traps are being provided by Lahash.
Sowetto Area of Kibera. There are no permanent buildings in all of Kibera, because the land is government land and the government is free to demolish anytime they want.
This is Beatrice, mother of students Ronny (6) and Tonny (3). She was encouraged to get them tested for HIV. Sadly, Tonny came back positive, but now we can ensure he gets treatment.
Kibera is a complex maze of narrow alleyways with streams of trickling sewage.
Jeffson (not pictured) is a student whose mother recently died, this is their house. Left to right: a cousin that's come to help, Jeffson's brother Brian, and Frank
This picture was taken a month ago at a memorial for Jeffson's mother. Left to right: Teacher Karen, Happy (youngest girl), Brian, Jeffson, and Kevin.
Jeffson's brother Kevin wrote an essay about street justice in Kibera. Pickpockets are beaten to death by the mob if caught.
Public latrines (most charge a fee) and trash in Kibera
Mary, mother of students Brian and Boaz, here with Boaz and 10 month old Esther
Boaz needs a procedure to help a problem with his eyes.
Edwin and Margaret counsel a parent
Helen, Mother of Valerie Atieno. Like most residents of Kibera, her whole family lives in a small room with no appliances, running water, or bathroom facilities. Most families try to survive on $1 or $2 per day, yet do everything possible to see that the children are educated. In Kenya, this isn't easy or cheap.
Tenderfeet has a structured curriculum and schedule
A student leads the class in reviewing the provinces of Kenya. Students that lead the class are acknowledged with a cheerful song.
Geoffrey Angote sharpens pencils to help out. Geoffrey is in college and is Edwin's brother. Geoffrey drew the excellent map of Kenya.
At Tenderfeet - students finish their morning porridge. Thanks to Lahash donors, students have a positive learning environment and two meals per day. Unfortunately, most children in Kibera don't have this chance.
Music, singing, and group recitation are important parts of learning at Tenderfeet
Students perform a welcome song
Lavender Monyagi colors the outline of her hand
Kids enjoy a meal of rice and beans for lunch. Meals, electricity, water, and rent are provided through the Ten for Tenderfeet program.
Teacher Karen leads the introductory class in a lively song. Karen lives in the slums herself and has sacrificed greatly to work at the school. She is one of the key people who keep the school going.
Tenderfeet students hard at work. The Ten for Tenderfeet program ensures they have school supplies and learning materials.
Teacher Karen and Edwin work on pictures of each student. A steep hill down to railroad tracks is behind the far wall. The current school has no area for children to play.
Teacher Elizabeth, Mama Margaret, and Teacher Mary got handbags from America
Shadrack hangs out with some Tenderfeet kids after school while they wait at Margaret's house for guardians to pick them up.
Shadrack Otieno and Dax. Shadrack is the orphan now living with Margaret, and is doing great following his brain surgery in March.
Brittany Coleman sent some presents for Shadrack and the school. Brittany raised money for his surgery.
Shadrack also got a Cornerstone Methodist Church t-shirt. Cornerstone had a special offering for his surgery.
Signing an agreement with the landowner Margaret Wambui that the phase 2 land will be available until March 31, 2008
Documents for the phase 2 land. The plots in this area were originally purchased by a group of community leaders 10 years ago under a special agreement. Margaret Wambui is selling the land to Tenderfeet below market price because she wants to help the school.
The proposed phase 2 land site -- Margaret, Nick, Daniel, and Frank stand on the four corners. The land is 40ft by 60ft, according to the survey.
The landsite from the other side of the valley. Note that the phase 2 site is in a much more open area that is just recently been made available for development.
Another view of the plot, with corners marked by Frank, Margaret, Nick, and Daniel
This building is going up near the phase 2 site, the plot size is the same. The school will hopefully grow to be several stories tall.
