Recently, the Government elevated 30 public secondary schools to national status. This brings the total number of national schools to 78. This is a step in the right direction. Plans are in the pipeline to make sure that every county has at least two national schools. This is in a bid to improve quality of education in all counties.
However the government has not considered that this has led to increase in school fees. The wanainchi, who could before afford the cost of provincial education, now cannot afford to send their children to schools that have been elevated to national status. For Hatua’s 100 students in secondary, school fees has increased by 30% from 2012 to 2013.
The wanainchi before at least could afford the cost of a provincial school like Matuga, but now that it is a national school, it has left doors open for those who have.
We support elevating schools to national status but we call upon the government to subsidize the difference in cost so that national schools are affordable for the wanainchi and accessible to all based on performance, regardless of economic status.
Hatua Likoni is a community NGO working to reduce unemployment and poverty in Likoni, Kenya. Through scholarships, mentoring and career guidance, Hatua helps Likoni's top students gain the skills, credentials and networks they need to contribute to and benefit from Kenya's growing economy.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Hatua Likoni sends its condolences to Ferry accident victims.
At least four people were killed and several others injured when a lorry lost control and rammed into passengers boarding a ferry in Likoni, Mombasa.
This is not the first time that a lorry has lost control, other times the lorry enters in water without causing any harm to passengers. But since this accidence has occurred, the Kenya ferry services should learn from it.
They should take protective measures to ensure that even if a vehicle looses control the passengers are not affected. This can be done using different methods, for example they can carry passengers differently from the vehicles. They can as well put a gate to ensure that incase a vehicle loses break they are not able to reach the passengers.
Anyway, the Kenya ferry services maybe having a better idea than any of the above mentioned as they are the experts. Hatua Likoni is sad and hopes soon there will be no more accidents in ferry that will cause any lose of lives.
“I send my sincere condolences to all those who have lost their family members and to those who have been injured during this unfortunate accident,” said Gabrielle Fondiller, the Director of Hatua Likoni.
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| A lorry that lost break and entered in water without harming passengers. |
This is not the first time that a lorry has lost control, other times the lorry enters in water without causing any harm to passengers. But since this accidence has occurred, the Kenya ferry services should learn from it.
They should take protective measures to ensure that even if a vehicle looses control the passengers are not affected. This can be done using different methods, for example they can carry passengers differently from the vehicles. They can as well put a gate to ensure that incase a vehicle loses break they are not able to reach the passengers.
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| passengers and carts boarding the Kenya ferry. |
Anyway, the Kenya ferry services maybe having a better idea than any of the above mentioned as they are the experts. Hatua Likoni is sad and hopes soon there will be no more accidents in ferry that will cause any lose of lives.
“I send my sincere condolences to all those who have lost their family members and to those who have been injured during this unfortunate accident,” said Gabrielle Fondiller, the Director of Hatua Likoni.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Hatua receives blessings day by day.
Thanks to Safaricom, today Likoni library bought timber to add more shelves. After receiving a ksh 500,000 from Safaricom, the budget to add more shelves in the library is ready to be put into action.
These shelves will be used to put the new curriculum books which as well will be bought using the money donated by Safaricom. The timber is hard wood which is long lasting and can not easily be eaten by terminates.
The timber will be used to make two shelves, they are 220ft and were bought at the cost of Kshs 51,700. When other costs are added the cost adds to Kshs 85,000.
This is a very huge boost to the library since it was opened because there has been no curriculum books, thanks to Safaricom the students will soon be able to access all this.
The curriculum books will be bought for students from class one to form four. Also they will put some curriculum books for those in colleges and universities. The books will also be for all subjects which will really help many students.
Due to the increase of library users there is need to improve the library in every way possible. Hatua reminds all people in the community and outside to contribute anyway possible be it books, chairs, tables among others. It is important to note that there is no greater gift you can give to a person than the gift of education.
Today is a day of blessing to Hatua Likoni as we received guests from the US Embassy, Mr. Major W.Bowen, Political Officer and Mr. Richard Hatler, Senior Police advisor.
Gabrielle Fondiller, Director Hatua Likoni, explained to the guests about the Mission and Vision of the organization. They liked the goals of Hatua and hopefully, we shall work hand by hand with them to maintain peace in the Country and in Likoni Community.
"All people in the community should spread peace talk everywhere as violence only leads to destruction" Said Gabrielle. Having this in mind Likoni Youth Civic education group will not rest until their goal is achieved.
These shelves will be used to put the new curriculum books which as well will be bought using the money donated by Safaricom. The timber is hard wood which is long lasting and can not easily be eaten by terminates.
This is a very huge boost to the library since it was opened because there has been no curriculum books, thanks to Safaricom the students will soon be able to access all this.
The curriculum books will be bought for students from class one to form four. Also they will put some curriculum books for those in colleges and universities. The books will also be for all subjects which will really help many students.
Due to the increase of library users there is need to improve the library in every way possible. Hatua reminds all people in the community and outside to contribute anyway possible be it books, chairs, tables among others. It is important to note that there is no greater gift you can give to a person than the gift of education.
Today is a day of blessing to Hatua Likoni as we received guests from the US Embassy, Mr. Major W.Bowen, Political Officer and Mr. Richard Hatler, Senior Police advisor.
Gabrielle Fondiller, Director Hatua Likoni, explained to the guests about the Mission and Vision of the organization. They liked the goals of Hatua and hopefully, we shall work hand by hand with them to maintain peace in the Country and in Likoni Community.
"All people in the community should spread peace talk everywhere as violence only leads to destruction" Said Gabrielle. Having this in mind Likoni Youth Civic education group will not rest until their goal is achieved.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Likoni Community League is starting a girls tournament League!
Likoni Community League is starting a girls tournament league in Likoni. This is an initiative that LCFL has taken to empower girls in the community.
This will help girls both in games and socially. In games, football will help them in instilling confidence, team work and on maintaining their health. As we know exercise is very good in maintaining one’s health.
Socially, LCFL is planning to use football drills to educate the girls on different issues in the community. They will be educated about reproductive health issues, about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s). Also the coaches will put more emphasis about the importance of education and also give them financial literacy.
The tournament will involve six teams, three teams from likoni. As for the other teams the organizers are considering to invite neighbouring communities. To further educate the girls, before they start playing football, they watch educational videos.
According to an administrator, Yusuf Abbas, the girls are really excited about the league. He stated they would really welcome any assistance rendered to them to help in achieving this goals. Assistance can be in the form of Mentoring, donation of sanitary pads, football equipment, anything that can be of help.
“Empowering girls is very important to the community and individuals, government or organisations should try and contribute to ensure our girls are successful in future,” said Abbas. “Personally, I love educating the girls while I am coaching them, I feel it has more impact” he added.
This will help girls both in games and socially. In games, football will help them in instilling confidence, team work and on maintaining their health. As we know exercise is very good in maintaining one’s health.
Socially, LCFL is planning to use football drills to educate the girls on different issues in the community. They will be educated about reproductive health issues, about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s). Also the coaches will put more emphasis about the importance of education and also give them financial literacy.
The tournament will involve six teams, three teams from likoni. As for the other teams the organizers are considering to invite neighbouring communities. To further educate the girls, before they start playing football, they watch educational videos.
According to an administrator, Yusuf Abbas, the girls are really excited about the league. He stated they would really welcome any assistance rendered to them to help in achieving this goals. Assistance can be in the form of Mentoring, donation of sanitary pads, football equipment, anything that can be of help.
“Empowering girls is very important to the community and individuals, government or organisations should try and contribute to ensure our girls are successful in future,” said Abbas. “Personally, I love educating the girls while I am coaching them, I feel it has more impact” he added.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Dear Diary Initiatives Kenya Donates uniforms to Look Smart project
The Dear Diary Initiatives Kenya has donated uniforms to Hatua Likoni’s Look Smart project. The uniforms were made by Sheikh Uniforms in Mombasa.
The Dear Diary Initiatives Kenya is a community based not for profit making campaign that was established in 2011 to advocate for the rights and welfare of people with disability. The idea was coined by Nafisa Khanbhai a physically challenged lady who had a passion of making sure that the disabled people are handled with dignity and not sympathy.
Despite the mission of the organization they saw the need to donate uniforms to Hatua Likoni Look Smart project.
This has been received with so much appreciation by the students, parents and the staff who feel nothing but great love and admiration towards Dear Diary Initiative Kenya. “We are grateful towards Dear Diary Initiative Kenya. I would like to reach out to other non-governmental and governmental organizations and ask them to kindly take the example set by this organization.” Said Peter Kwame, Co-founder, Hatua Likoni.
He added that one person or one organization alone cannot manage to build a great community. “Corporation and determination are the keys to a community that I admire,” he stated.
To see more photos check Facebook page.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Safaricom donates Kshs 500,000 to Hatua Likoni Library
Yesterday Gabrielle Fondiller, Co-founder of Hatua Likoni received a Kshs 500,000 cheque from the Safaricom Foundation, to develop the Likoni Community Library.
The Likoni Community Library is the first library in Likoni. Likoni is located on the mainland of Mombasa, south of the city center, and is accessible from town only by ferry. It is mostly residential, with a population of 160,000 people and still growing rapidly. It is the poorest area of Mombasa.
Likoni library construction started in 2006. This was after educators, parents, government and the whole community agreed that the poor performance of students in Likoni is due to the challenges that students face when they try to study at home. Most families live in a single and overcrowded room. According to Hatua's research, 27% of homes also lack electricity, studying in such an environment is difficult.
The building was completed in 2009 and put under the direction of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, but a year and a half after construction, still had not been equipped with shelves, tables, chairs and all the other essentials to make it a library.
This is when Hatua Likoni decided to solicit funds to equip the library, and through support from prominent local citizens and businesses, including Post Bank and Cooperative Bank, international donations from SDL Foundation, a UK-based corporate foundation, American Friends of Kenya, a US-based charitable organization, KNLS and the East Side Community High School in New York City. The library was officially opened in February 2011.
Yesterday, Safaricom donated Kshs 500,000 to help fund curriculum based books and additional shelves. This is after two Hatua interns who were attached on the department of library development, Ndesi Hameed and Juma Mwanyiru, wrote a proposal to the Safaricom Foundation. The proposal described why Hatua library needed the funding from Safaricom.
Finally, Safaricom accepted to help the Likoni community improve its library and gave a donation of Ksh 500,000. The Hatua family is grateful towards Safaricom and all other companies that take the initiative of giving to the community.
"Thanks to all our well wishers, we believe with your continued support, Hatua will continue to achieve its mission and vision." Said Gabrielle, Co-founder of Hatua. "Asante sana Safaricom," She added.
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| Gabrielle (left) receives cheque from Safaricom manager in Mombasa Madam Sayda |
Likoni library construction started in 2006. This was after educators, parents, government and the whole community agreed that the poor performance of students in Likoni is due to the challenges that students face when they try to study at home. Most families live in a single and overcrowded room. According to Hatua's research, 27% of homes also lack electricity, studying in such an environment is difficult.
The building was completed in 2009 and put under the direction of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, but a year and a half after construction, still had not been equipped with shelves, tables, chairs and all the other essentials to make it a library.
This is when Hatua Likoni decided to solicit funds to equip the library, and through support from prominent local citizens and businesses, including Post Bank and Cooperative Bank, international donations from SDL Foundation, a UK-based corporate foundation, American Friends of Kenya, a US-based charitable organization, KNLS and the East Side Community High School in New York City. The library was officially opened in February 2011.
Yesterday, Safaricom donated Kshs 500,000 to help fund curriculum based books and additional shelves. This is after two Hatua interns who were attached on the department of library development, Ndesi Hameed and Juma Mwanyiru, wrote a proposal to the Safaricom Foundation. The proposal described why Hatua library needed the funding from Safaricom.
Finally, Safaricom accepted to help the Likoni community improve its library and gave a donation of Ksh 500,000. The Hatua family is grateful towards Safaricom and all other companies that take the initiative of giving to the community.
"Thanks to all our well wishers, we believe with your continued support, Hatua will continue to achieve its mission and vision." Said Gabrielle, Co-founder of Hatua. "Asante sana Safaricom," She added.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
happy new year.
Welcome back from holidays and have a happy new year. Hatua family is back, ready to work and strong than ever. We once again thank all our faithful well wishers, and ask them to continue with the same spirit.
This year we have many plans which hopefully with your support will help us achieve our mission and vision. There is a Swahili proverb that states, “kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa” this translates to: one finger cannot kill a lice, therefore alone we cannot succeed, we need as much support as we can get from every one, everywhere.
Also unity is strength and divided we fall, therefore whatever you do to help Hatua help the Likoni community please feel free and you shall be blessed. Gabrielle Fondiller, Co-founder of Hatua has this to say, “ I would like to thank all our supporters for making 2012 a success. We are excited and welcome you all 2013 to support us as mentors or other ways.”
This year among other projects, Hatua Likoni is putting into action the project, Total War Against AIDS (TOWA), where government has given grants to Hatua at a constituency level to help in Behaviour Change Communication Targeting Youth.
This project stands for zero tolerance against AIDS. Hatua Form Four leavers have been trained as trainers to go and educate other students and the entire community on how to reduce the spread of AIDS, avoid stigmatization and teach those who are positive how to live positively.
“Behaviour is learnt and it can be unlearnt,” so we are aiming to help them unlearn the dysfunctional behaviour,” says the Mentoring and Career Guidance Coordinator, Winnie. Having this in mind, it’s good to know that the government is recognizing what Hatua Likoni is doing for the community and supporting us. But, we would like it to be known that Hatua Likoni is not inflicted to any political party or individual.
We pray for 2013 to be a year of great success, a lot of love, care, helping and living in peace. We at Hatua Likoni plan on spreading this throughout Likoni and everywhere else, a wise man said that charity begins at home.
This year we have many plans which hopefully with your support will help us achieve our mission and vision. There is a Swahili proverb that states, “kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa” this translates to: one finger cannot kill a lice, therefore alone we cannot succeed, we need as much support as we can get from every one, everywhere.
Also unity is strength and divided we fall, therefore whatever you do to help Hatua help the Likoni community please feel free and you shall be blessed. Gabrielle Fondiller, Co-founder of Hatua has this to say, “ I would like to thank all our supporters for making 2012 a success. We are excited and welcome you all 2013 to support us as mentors or other ways.”
This year among other projects, Hatua Likoni is putting into action the project, Total War Against AIDS (TOWA), where government has given grants to Hatua at a constituency level to help in Behaviour Change Communication Targeting Youth.
This project stands for zero tolerance against AIDS. Hatua Form Four leavers have been trained as trainers to go and educate other students and the entire community on how to reduce the spread of AIDS, avoid stigmatization and teach those who are positive how to live positively.
“Behaviour is learnt and it can be unlearnt,” so we are aiming to help them unlearn the dysfunctional behaviour,” says the Mentoring and Career Guidance Coordinator, Winnie. Having this in mind, it’s good to know that the government is recognizing what Hatua Likoni is doing for the community and supporting us. But, we would like it to be known that Hatua Likoni is not inflicted to any political party or individual.
We pray for 2013 to be a year of great success, a lot of love, care, helping and living in peace. We at Hatua Likoni plan on spreading this throughout Likoni and everywhere else, a wise man said that charity begins at home.
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