Tuesday, May 19, Haruma

Today was the day to visit Haruma. Haruma is one of 4 slums in Starehe Constituency of Nairobi. We previously visited Kibera, which is in Langata Constituency. We were invited to meet with an organization called Ongoza Njia (Lead the Way). The director, Calvin, shared what this organization is trying to do across all 4 slums in this area. They have partnered with 140 community groups to implement a variety of programs. Also present was Ojiayo, leader of Bunge La Wananchi (The Peoples Parliment). At a recent meeting of this body, they heard from Mary about the benefits of home education, and were so excited they adopted a resolution to implement some form of homeschooling in the slums. Although Kenya offers free education, in fact the fees to access that education cannot be afforded by many in the slums. Many children raom the streets instead of attending school.

Today, Ojiayo, Calvin and some of his staff, Mary, Gail, and I dialoged more about how to apply home education concepts in their situation. Already, Calvin has in place several resources that might be adapted to support home education efforts: practical training in a variety of trades, a computer center where people learn computing skills, and a network throughout the slums in the form of the 140 community organizations. The challenge is educating the parents about the possibilities and opportunities that this new approach might hold for their children. Hopefully, dialogs will continue as they attempt to ignite support at the grassroots level.

Next we went to another area of the slum to meet the Queen of the Slums. Lucy is the director of Little Bees School, a school for children in Haruma through grade 6. Lucy's son, Victor, rode in the boot to show us the way. I doubt that we could have found it without help.

Lucy has a small compound for Little Bees School with classrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms, and some storage. They have over 100 children attending. The facility is in the midst of construction; not all of the floors and walls are in place. Lucy struggles with getting finances for her work.

Lucy is known as Queen of the Slums for her efforts to make a difference. About 9 years ago, Lucy started a program to replace the "flying toilets." When people needed to go to the bathroom, they would go on a piece of paper, then fold it slightly and simply throw it far into the air. It could land anywhere. Lucy built a toilet facility, charging a small fee to use it. The project was replicated throughout the slum and has dramatically improved the living conditions there. Lucy also has a small garden planted on an area that was once a garbage dump.

The children of Little Bees School met us on the road, and welcomed us with songs and placed frilly boas around our necks. Later we each received a badge that said Honored Guest. The songs were very nice. We toured the school facilities, and then David played a few songs on the hammer dulcimer for the children. We got some of the teachers to dance to Hava Nagila.

After the children went back to their studies, we went through some very narrow passages between homes in Haruma to see Lucy's home. Lucy has about three rooms, but these are used to house some children she rescues from a variety of horrible conditions. We also looked at her garden, and listened to her tell how she stood up to a gang of thugs that exacted tolls (sometimes lives) at a bridge below her area. Through some tough talk, she has managed to get them to do useful things in the area. Lucy truly is Queen of the Slums.

We stopped at the Internet on the way home. Supper at Eshel Gardens consisted of hamburgers and lasagna. Christine, our cook, is wearing her chef's jacket. She is a great cook, and really looks the part. We learned that she and her family live in Haruma.