Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire
-William Butler Yeats
It offers a powerful means to break the relentless cycle of poverty that often traps vulnerable children. By gaining knowledge and practical skills, orphans are equipped to secure employment or even start their own businesses, leading to financial independence. This economic empowerment doesn't just benefit them; it can also uplift any future families they may have, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Education is incredibly powerful for vulnerable children in Kenya; it's often their best shot at breaking free from the grip of poverty. When they gain knowledge and practical skills, they’re empowered to find work or even launch their own businesses, giving them financial independence. This doesn't just change their lives; it can also uplift their future families and communities, creating a positive ripple effect.
Primary School
The children in our care attend pre-school before beginning their education at the local primary school from the age of 6. Too Little Children often steps in to sponsor at-risk kids long before the decision is made for them to live at the home full-time. Once at Jemo House, every child's learning journey is fully supported. This includes providing vital items like a mandatory school uniform, all their stationary supplies, and even toilet paper, because the local school sadly lacks the resources to cover even these most basic provisions.
Secondary School
Secondary school (high school) in Kenya is usually a boarding school experience. We're currently supporting nine students across three different secondary schools. To help ease the transition and maintain family connections, we ensure that all siblings attend the same school. Plus, these schools are located close by, making it easy for our house moms to visit frequently and keep those bonds strong.
It's a joyful, noisy time when our secondary school students come back to Jemo House for the school holidays, reuniting with their extended family. Every term, we're always amazed to see who's had the biggest growth spurt!
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College
We're committed to providing the best academic opportunities for our young people, offering scholarships to support their college pursuits. After successfully graduating high school (secondary school), ten of our students have embarked on a diverse range of university courses, including nursing, electrical engineering, and business studies.
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Technical School
For those preferring a vocational path, our young people can attend a technical schools. Through this support, students have successfully pursued courses ranging from photography to electrical engineering. We're proud to see the tangible results: one of our young men now owns a photography studio in Nairobi, and another is well on his way to building a successful music and videography enterprise.
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Business Enterprises
Addressing the significant youth unemployment in Kenya, Too Little Children provides mentoring and business startup funding for our young entrepreneurs. We're proud to support ventures like a photography studio, a music and videography business, and several snack stands, with exciting future plans for a gaming cafe and juice bar.
