Hatua Likoni on KAYA FM.

The director of Hatua Likoni- Gabi Fondinller, accompanied by Abbas, the administrator of Likoni Community Football League (LCFL) and LSF beneficiaries Peter Makau, Masika Ali, and Abdallah Mbwana are on their way to KAYA FM for an interview to be aired at 12:30- 1:00PM. The will speaking about the Civic Education Forum that's taking place this Saturday at The Moi Forces Academy.  Stay tuned to KAYA FM and get informed on the Civic Education Forum.

I Wanna Know: Civic Education Forum for Likoni Students

Hatua Likoni, The Likoni University Students Association and Muhuri invite you to attend a Civic Education Forum for 900 Form Four Students in Likoni on Sat. May 19^th, 2012 at Likoni Secondary School. The event’s objectives include:

• Encouraging students to understand the importance of their role as voters in the upcoming election.
• Educating Form Four students on the new constitution, the role of devolved government and new elected offices created under the constitution.
• Emphasizing the importance of peace in the upcoming elections and of choosing capable leaders.
• Giving students the opportunity to hear from and ask questions to politicians vying for their votes, including those campaigning for MP, Women’s Representative, Senator and Governor, thereby better enabling Likoni youth to make informed voting decisions.

The day’s program will begin at 9am with guest speakers from civic education and human rights organizations helping Likoni youth to understand how they can engage in the upcoming elections in an informed and constructive manner. This will be followed by brief introductions from those vying for Ward Rep, MP, Women’s Rep, Senator and Governor, and opportunities for aspirants to answer questions posed to them by students. Media will be invited, ensuring the wider public benefits from the forum’s content.

Going To America - Jimmy Irenge.

Jimmy Irenge a form 2 student at Likoni Secondary school and an LSF recipient has been selected to be among 18 Kenyan secondary school students to participate in the American Field Service (ASF) exchange Program.
"AFS provides intercultural learning experiences that bring global cultures together by helping people connect, transforming the lives of thousands of students, families, and individuals every year. With exchange programs in more than 50 countries and a large network of volunteers, educators, and staff, AFS is committed to helping participants understand their immersion experiences in a foreign culture."http://www.afs.org/afs-and-exchange-programs/
The selected students get to travel to the united states of America where for a year, they get to experience a different culture and also expose other students like themselves to our culture. To be considered, Jimmy made a PowerPoint presentation on the Kenyan flag detailing the symbolism and significance of the different elements that constitute the majestic banner of Kenya.
He is currently working on getting his travel documents in order and is very excited and eager to the an ambassador of Hatua Likoni as well as Kenya.

News Just In: KCSE Results!

Our very own Peter Makau, one of LSF form four graduates has managed to attain an A plain in his KCSE examinations! We are awaiting details on his subject performance as well as the results of his LSF colleagues. We shall keep you posted as this news develops.

Hatua Likoni Seeks Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) Funding

Hatua LIkoni recently sought Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) assistance to address the most fundamental problem facing primary education in Likoni- The dire need for infrastructure in classrooms that impedes education in Likoni. There are 19 public primary schools in Likoni with a total enrollment of 14,000 students but our schools have only enough desks to seat 9,000 students.

CDTF has been allocated 1 billion Kenya Shillings by the European Union to fund community led development projects in Kenya. In response to CDTF's call for proposals they received 10,000 applicantions. Hatua Likoni has been short-listed as one of 320 applicants to receive a site visit and be considered for final evaluation. Gabrielle Fondiller, Director of Hatua Likoni and Programs Director, Peter Kwame, visted 6 of Likoni's public primary schools this week, together with two representatives from CDTF to evaluate the need for desks throughout Likoni schools. If our proposal is successful Hatua Likoni will have the resources needed to totally eliminate the shortage of desks throughout all Likoni public primary schools, ensuring that every student has a comfortable place to learn.

Look Smart Uniform Project

Hatua Likoni students learn leadership and management skills by running their own community service projects.

This year Hatua Likoni’s form 4 graduates have embarked on a uniform donation project to see that 20 lower primary students from each Likoni public primary schools receives a new school uniform.
Uniforms have been donated by SOMB or ‘Shirt Off My Back’, a clothes company that was founded on a simple model: one sold, one donated. For every item bought, SOMB provides a uniform to a child in Africa.
Likoni Scholarship Fund Students visited every public primary school in Likoni to select students in need of new uniforms

These new uniforms are now being made and will be distributed next week

Grand Opening a Success!

On Saturday, February 5th 2012, Likoni's first public library came to life. This is exactly one year after the Harambee(fundraiser) to fund the construction of the library. The Likoni area has seen dismal results in the national examinations over the years due to lack of a good, education friendly atmosphere. In 2010 average end of primary school exam results, which determine if a student is accepted to high school, dropped below 200 throughout Likoni's public primary schools. These results are Well below the pass mark of 250, and among the lowest in Kenya.

Hatua's library is a much needed addition to Likoni's education resources. With students learning in overcrowded classrooms, and then have to go home to crowded homes with no electricity, the library provides a quiet sanctuary for them to study for exams and complete assignments, read books and learn new things.

Hatua's Library is also unique in that it is open to the public 7 days a week: weekdays 9:00am- 8:00pm, weekends 10:00am-5:00pm. We are already getting regular visits from the young students. Many come in and ask, "Bei gani kusoma hapa?- How much does it cost to study here?" and the answer is quite simple, it's absolutely free to use our library, whereas all Kenya National Libraries charge enterance fees. Those who want to become borrowing members are also pleased since they are not asked to pay a monthly fee, but rather a one time fee of Ksh.500 to be a registered life time member and to be able to borrow a book for up to two weeks. Those who prefer can register with Ksh. 1,000 and borrow two books at a time.

We would like to thank all those who have supported us in this endevour, including Likoni CDF, The Ministry of Youth Affairs, SDL Foundation, American Friends of Kenya, Kenya Education Trust, Foundation for Sustainable Development, Post Bank, Cooperative Bank and Sauti ya Akina Mama. We look forward to continuing to work together to improve education standards and access in Likoni.

Hatua's Library is a triumph for Likoni residents and one we are very proud of. At the same time there is more to do! Our library needs more shelves, curriculum based books and Kiswahili story books to complete our collection. To make a donation click here. www.HatuaLikoni.org/donate