"School Safe Zones" School Program

Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.
- Nelson Mandela

Church World Service recognizes education as a basic human right and an essential ingredient in breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty. In cooperation with the government of Kenya, CWS has initiated a pilot “School Safe Zones” Program to strengthen struggling public schools in that country -- a program that can potentially be replicated broadly across the continent. And we need your help to do it.

CWS “School Safe Zones”
The CWS “School Safe Zones” Program is a signature element of the Church World Service Africa Initiative. The “School Safe Zones” Program, beginning in ten pilot sites, will provide a model of what all the schools of Africa might one day become:

Secure environments, where children can learn and play in safety
Stimulating environments, where teachers are well trained and have adequate materials for their classes
Healthy environments, where children have access to safe water and basic health care
Nurturing environments, where every child will enjoy at least one nutritious meal a day

Kenya was selected because of its commitment to education, illustrated by the decision of the Kenyan government in 2003 to make primary education free to all children. This laudable action, however, has brought its own challenges, including overcrowded classrooms and school facilities, overtaxed teachers, lack of sufficient learning materials and equipment, and inadequate security for students.

Beginning with priorities established by the communities where the pilot schools are located, Church World Service will be partnering with local organizations, churches, businesses, ministries of education, and other community groups to develop School Safe Zones.

A glimpse at one pilot school:
Wangu School is located in the slums of Nairobi. There are 2000 children and 28 teachers. Class sizes range from 80 to 120 students. Many classrooms have no desks and where there are desks, as many as four students share one. The ceilings are falling down in many classrooms. There are only a few toilets to accommodate all the students. The school borders the Nairobi dump, and both odor and refuse blow into the school. And yet, these children feel blessed to be learning, and their teachers are dedicated to providing quality education.

For more information about the “School Safe Zones” Program, call your local CWS Regional Office at 1-888-CWS-CROP (297-2767).