In 2011, KCEF began partnering with eduKenya in the Mathare Valley slum in Nairobi, supporting the Mawewa (formerly Kwa Watoto) school feeding program. Mawewa is one of only three primary schools in a slum of 600,000, serving about 200 children.
Mathare Valley is Kenya’s second largest slum, about 2 square miles in size; the average income is between $.50 and $1.00 a day. The provision of a daily nourishing meal helps ensure that children stay in school and perform better.
In addition to supporting the feeding program at Mawewa, KCEF also provides One Laptop per Child computers.
How can I help? Support programs at Mawewa.
Celebrating 13 Years with KCEF
After a recent visit to Mawewa Primary School, Kijabe Children’s Education Fund (KCEF) chair, Craig Hammon, offered generous praise for eduKenya’s work, commending the exceptional instruction and student engagement he observed at the school.
For over thirteen years, KCEF has partnered with eduKenya. Founded in 2006 by four couples from Essex, Massachusetts, KCEF began as volunteer support for a single rural preschool in Kenya and has evolved into a comprehensive mission of “educating and nourishing God’s children in Kenya” – a vision that aligns with eduKenya’s mission to provide high quality, transformational Christian education.
KCEF visit Mawewa
In 2012, KCEF’s support began with significantly assisting our daily feeding program that provides vital nutrition for our students every school day. Over the years, KCEF’s partnership has grown far beyond basic needs to encompass multiple aspects of our educational mission. Through financial investment in hardware, software and training they helped us develop our technology capabilities, first by providing us with the MIT-developed OLPC computers, which provided foundational access to our preschoolers and primary school learners.
Once this original program was discontinued due to spare parts becoming unavailable, they transitioned to providing modern laptops over a 5 year period. Their latest technological support has come through the Coding Camps which were launched in November 2024. KCEF has supported three sessions of these camps, engaging over 300 students from multiple schools, with Mawewa proudly hosting cross-school sessions that included students from Gospel Victory Academy which is also in Mathare.
KCEF has also consistently contributed into a revolving loan program for further education for our teachers.They have provided 50% scholarships for between 4-6 Mawewa Primary graduates annually to attend Chelezo High School, ensuring our students can continue their faith-integrated education journey, while regularly bringing sports equipment, sanitary pads, and teaching materials during their visits.
New laptops for Mawewa
When Kenya updated their educational system countrywide, the new curriculum required science laboratories for junior secondary schools which our Mawewa Primary School did not have. KCEF made a gift to construct our lab facility, enabling us to meet the necessary requirements.
Students using the science lab
KCEF has embraced and enhanced our ROPES (Rights of Passage character development program), helping us expand from 8th graders only, to include 6th graders, creating the CPR – Creating Positive Relationships program. They recognized that our comprehensive approach to character development, combined with the parental involvement components we’ve added, addresses the reality that academic credentials alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, but when coupled with a Christ-centered character formation, transformation can happen.
As mentioned above, KCEF’s chair, Craig Hammon noted that despite having the lowest fees among all seven KCEF partner schools in Kenya, Mawewa maintains the highest teacher salaries, and that our commitment to educational excellence has given us a very positive reputation in Mathare, which means a thriving school with a long waiting list.
This quality has not gone unnoticed: KCEF is working with Mr. Michael Maingi, our Deputy Director and Head of Education, who is acting as a consultant to help KCEF assist their other partner schools raise their standards, using our Mawewa Primary as the benchmark for academic, spiritual, and co-curricular excellence. ‘A rising tide lifts all ships,’ and we are humbled by KCEF’s high praise and are excited to see what God will do with all their partnerships. We are grateful for our partnership and relationship with KCEF.
Their thoughtful ideas and investment as they partner with us at eduKenya, have helped to provide the transformational opportunities that help our staff, students and families flourish. KCEF’s 13-year commitment demonstrates that sustainable transformation happens through consistent, long-term relationships built on trust and shared vision.
This partnership with KCEF highlights the importance of thoughtful and generous partners. There are so many, who like KCEF, have invested their time, creativity and treasure to see the students and families eduKenya serves grow and thrive.
We are grateful to KCEF and all of you for your investment in this Kingdom work.