Supporting education of OVC in informal settlements.How smile community centre's education program started.

Supporting education of OVC in informal settlements.How smile community centre’s education program started.

For Margret Nekesa our founder, it took a step of faith to start our children’s home after her long period of community work in supporting OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable children) in the informal settlements of Kayole and Soweto.Some of the children completely had no safe place to live.It was a long period of referring these children to where they could find help like surrounding children homes for refuge.The challenging part was that the homes too could not take in more children due to lack of resources and space.

There was no other option but to start.The beginning of smile community centre children’s home is a long story which we shall be sharing and for today, we will focus on one area of progress which we have achieved through well wishers. Education!

Our first children had to borrow textbooks and they studied using a kerosene lamp.Today some have completed college and 2 of them are now in university (Scroll up to the last photo below).

Our children studying using kerosene lamps some of whom are Abel(boy with stripped shirt),Laurence (Boy with a red Tshirt) — Our first children studying using a kerosene lamp. From left was Ken,Abel(the boy wearing a stripped shirt),Laurence (the boy with a red T shirt),Mary,Sharon and Judith.

Learning/Dining/Praying space in our centre,way better than how we started through the support of well-wishers.There's still need to get a bigger space and more facilities. — Teens doing an exam in our Learning/Dining/Praying space in our centre,way better than how we started through the support of well-wishers.There’s still need for a bigger space and more facilities.

Compared to our first space,we now have a better learning place and books courtesy of our selfless supporters like you.Our last books were donated by Angel Arms of Hope and Mwana Arts Space.
We aim to support more orphaned and vulnerable children once we get enough resources and more space.

our library in the office — Our small office that serves as our book store/library

Abel and Laurence.Both passed very well and went to university. Laurence started this year pursuing Industrial Chemistry at the Technical University of Kenya and Abel is perusing Metrology at the University of Nairobi.Laurence still needs your help to complete payment of his first year, Abel is in second year and he got a scholarship from the Alumni of the Nairobi University — Abel and Laurence.Through our education support program,both passed very well and went to university. Laurence started this year 2021 and he is pursuing Industrial Chemistry at the Technical University of Kenya.Abel is perusing Metrology at the University of Nairobi.Laurence still needs your help to complete payment of his first year, Abel is in second year and he got a scholarship from the Alumni of the Nairobi University

Epic things start with small humble steps.Pay respect to your beginnings. And if you’re just starting out, know that it’s OK to be sucky. To be small. To be messy and chaotic. Just make sure to never ever stop #dreaming.
Vishen Lakhiani

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