Education
School Safe Zones: Kenya
Photo: Charles Mokaya for CWS |
Catherine Njeri is 13 years old. She lives with her mother and two younger sisters in Nairobi, Kenya. Catherine cares for most household chores and childcare so her mother can work at the local market selling grain. This allows Catherine just enough time to attend school, but almost no time for homework. Her school, Kawangware Primary School, located in one of Nairobi’s slums, is severely overcrowded and in need of repair.
Catherine wants to be a nurse
when she grows up. She says, “I like to help people and look after
those who are ill.” The
CWS School Safe Zones program in collaboration
with local school and community leaders is working to improving school
facilities and security. It is also developing a teacher training program
to help Catherine and her fellow students make the most of the time they
have for education. Kawangware is one of ten pilot schools in the School
Safe Zones program.