From our June 2012 Newsletter My name is Mirriam Mutindi Mativo. I was born in a family of two. My mother was crippled and a single parent who was the only bread winner. She worked as a newspaper vendor and thus earned just enough to provide for food. My sister and I faced a lot of challenges in school because my mother could not afford all the expenses. I had tattered clothes and was sent home regularly due to lack of school fees and other requirements. As young as seven years of age I could … [Read more...]
When the Pathway Seems Long
From our July 2011 Newsletter My parents did their best to bring me up in their most affordable way. When I was in class three, things fell apart following the passing away of my dad. Life was unappealing to the poor family since the bread winner was not there and coincidentally my mother was jobless. To save the boat from sinking my mother started doing odd jobs such as washing clothes, digging other people’s shambas, (farms) and other manual jobs. At that time I wanted to give up … [Read more...]
June 2012 Building Progress Update
Dear friends of Jitegemee, It has been a long process, but this spring, we finally were issued our title deed to our land. We are currently in the process of seeking competitive bids for contractors and we intend to break ground on the building this summer. Here is a recap of how far we have come, as well as the blue prints for the master plan, which we intend to build in phases. July, 2009: Signed a contract to purchase an acre of land after securing seed grant from the Kaplan … [Read more...]
“That Used to be Us”
Greetings Jitegemee Family, In July 2010, knowing very little about Jitegemee, outside of a general notion of what it was and that it was being led by someone I look up to and respect, I endeavored to help raise funds to build a new education center for kids in a town far far away, with a name that I could barely pronounce. That July, with the help of many of you and some very generous matching donors, we raised over $60,000 for the new school, putting us more than a quarter of the way toward … [Read more...]
Columbia SIPA 2011 Impact Assessment
For the past few years we have had the opportunity to partner with students and faculty in the Master of International Affairs program at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). During this period we have benefited from the great work of students and faculty in the program, as they have repeatedly traveled to Machakos to conduct interviews and surveys aimed at providing impact assessments of various aspects of our programs. Their work has been a vital … [Read more...]
“I Can Fix Everything…”
Since 2009 Jitegemee has had the good fortune to be able to partner with the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).  Students in the master's program have traveled to Machakos to conduct evaluations of both our vocational training program and our formal schooling program.  The most recent team just completed their evaluation of our formal schooling program, and we are anxiously awaiting their report.  Kiri, one of the students who visited Jitegemee in 2010 recently … [Read more...]
The Real Meaning of ‘Green’
The latest update from our intern, also cross-posted at "merry go round." After my hottest week in Machakos, it rained. Really rained. It started Sunday afternoon and it actually only stopped raining earlier today. Now there is heavy mud everywhere, or “ndaka†in Kikamba, which a man in the matatu told me I had collected lots of on my shoes . Unfortunately the rain has come several weeks too late to save the crops. But a few weeks ago my family was able to harvest a massive sack of … [Read more...]
First Impressions of Jitegemee…
As mentioned on our Twitter feed and Facebook page (you are following those aren't you? :)) Jitegemee welcomed its first intern to Machakos a little over a month ago. Calum is taking a gap year to travel the world, experience life, and hopefully make a difference along the way. We're happy to have him working with our students and staff at Jitegemee, and we are excited to hear about his time there. Throughout the course of his stay we will occasionally be cross-posting updates from his blog … [Read more...]
Humbled by the Extraordinary Work of Our Staff
Dear Friends of Jitegemee, I have been a board member for nearly ten years, but the chance to travel to Kenya to spend some time with the staff and students of our program is still a rare treat for me. This July, I spent an exhilarating week with them. I met our newest teachers for the first time and found them as dedicated as I had been told. I spoke at length with each member of the staff, and saw in greater depth what our vocational students are learning and how our lunch program is … [Read more...]
Our Vocational Students’ Poem of Thanks
REFORMED They laughed at us When we roamed the streets They scorned us When we over turned the dustbins They spat at us When we passed near them with tattered clothes And stinking bodies They sneered at us When we lay on the streets In the cold nights And heavy rains They starred at us When we sniffed glue They never took notice When we begged for food But today We design their clothes We build their mansions We dress their hair We drive and repair their cars We fix … [Read more...]
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