Love SHACK Kenya About Kawangware

ABOUT Kawangware

Kawangware is situated towards the western side of the city of Nairobi. It is 15km from the city centre and neighbours to the east of Lavington Estate. To the west it neighbours Dagoretti.
The population of Kawangware is approximately 200,000 people, about half of whom are children of 16 years and less.
The predominent type of housing in Kawangware is of iron-sheet construction; this is because iron-sheeting is cheap and can be afforded by most people. There are also brick houses, but these are more expensive.
People living in Kawangware depend on the water supply that comes from the city council. This is available for three days per week, so people have to save it for the 'off days'.
Although there are a few non-fee-paying schools in the region, most of them are privately run. The free primary schools are: Kawangware Primary School, Mdurarua Primary School, and Holy Ghost Mission Primary School. There is only one public secondary school - Precious Girls Secondary School.
There are a few supermarkets in Kawangware, and two open-air markets where people go to buy farm produce from up-country.
The hospital system is sparse and attention by a doctor attracts a small fee.
Only two main roads in Kawangware are tarmaced, the other roads being of very poor quality. The transport system is by use of 'matatus' (small over-crowded mini-buses) and larger buses.

Written by Eric Otieno (see right)

ERIC OTEINO'S STORY

My name is Eric. I started in primary school in the year 1994 in St. Christopher's Primary School in Myandarve district. I completed my class eight in 2002, but I did not join secondary school in 2003 because I did not have the school fee. So, I had to repeat class eight to see whether I could join secondary in the year 2004. In my village there was a certain woman who knew of a school in Nairobi where I could just pay a little fee per year and still get education. She informed my aunt about it. So, I was lucky. I got a place in the school, but I couldn't board because all of the beds had already been taken. Luckily, there was a family friend who lived in Dagoretti Corner who promised to give me a place in her house.

In school, things did not go as expected because day students could be sent home to bring some money and yet, there was no quality education. So, my aunt thought that I could transfer to a cheaper school. I did this, and stayed at this school for a whole term, during 2004. Sadly, there was no money for the third term, and so, I had to get out of school due to the lack of school fees.

My aunt told me that being out of school did not mean that it was the end of life; life had to continue. So, she told me to look for an alternative. I went to be trained as a mechanic in one of the garages in Yaya Centre. The man who was training me, and I, agreed that I would be payed KSH500 per month (approx 6 euro). I joined the mechanic course in September and stayed the whole of September and October.

I remember, it was on Monday 6th November 2004; it had rained very much on Sunday night and there was alot of mud, and when I was going to my mechanic job, my shoes got stuck in the mud and got torn, so I did not attend the job that particular day. A certain woman, who knew Karen Ward, came and told me about Love SHACK. So, we came together with her and met Karen and talked about my situation and Karen accepted me. I was so lucky that she agreed to help me continue with school and also to reside at Love SHACK.

I now have brighter hopes for my life and Love SHACK has given me the opportunity to claim a better position in the community. I will never forget the hopes that Love SHACK have given me and I am always thankful to them.

Eric.

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