After breaking ground on the Maisha Academy in July 2014, the building is finally taking shape. The walls and a few other finishing touches still need to be completed, but an essential piece is currently under construction – the roof.
The building will have 10 classrooms and give the academy the ability to expand education through the eighth grade, allowing the kids to complete their primary education. It is slated for completion in the latter part of 2015.
Once the school building is completed, to realize the fullness of the vision, shelter and a safe environment must be provided for at-risk students who attend the academy. Maisha child sponsorships operate on a community based care model which keeps children in the homes of caregivers where they learn cultural traditions and develop skills that are vital to their future. Caregivers may be grandparents, extended relations or widows in the community. Frequently, a child is identified as “vulnerable” or “partial orphan,” meaning one or both parents are living but are unable to feed the child or send them to school despite working full time. Sponsors step in to invest in the child’s education and remedy this. Keeping children in these homes is ideal, but sometimes factors make this an unsuitable option.
Some of the children who attend the academy are living in unsafe or compromised situations. The very homes that are supposed to shelter them become the threat. A child’s home environment has significant effect on learning and school performance. Dormitories will be built to house children identified as at-risk in their homes. This will give them not only a safe home, but directly increase their ability to focus and learn. Children in the dormitories will receive three meals a day, ensuring proper nutrition. Living on campus also eliminates the long walk to and from school which brings a whole new set of dangers. Once the school building construction is complete, the girl’s dormitory will be built and then a boy’s dormitory. Be looking for challenges and ways to get involved in helping Maisha build these places of refuge in the coming months.
We are incredibly thankful for all the donations we have received to help empower children through education. Donate to help us finish the academy and start the dorms at https://www.maishaproject.org/index.php?donate.
Learn more about the Maisha Academy at https://www.maishaproject.org/index.php?projects/education/maisha-academy.