THE TRANSITION HOME
PHASE II OF PROJECT KAZURI
We are incredibly excited to announce that Project Kazuri is shifting its focus in a new direction. While we will continue our work at the Home, we are realizing there is now a greater need that must be addressed. Currently, there is no exit program for our kids as they reach the age of 18 and complete high school - and nowhere else for them to go. They are not assimilating into real life very well, as they haven't the finances, skills training, or pathways to college that are needed. As a result, many are going back to the streets. This is heartbreaking.
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As Murigi puts it, “Someone needs to tell them that their tomorrow is going to be okay.”
Well, we have a plan - one that includes housing, health care, vocational training, apprenticeships, and (for those who are able) college. This is a gigantic challenge, but one we must take up, and now this is our main focus.
So...what does this look like?
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Meeting with each of the teens to find out what their interests, goals, and hopes for the future are...and identifying alongside them whether they are most suited for vocational training or college.
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Sharing our desire to partner with them for the next few years to assure their safety and success as they learn to build a life for themselves.
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Setting up a sponsorship program here on our website whereby individuals or families can “adopt” one of our teens, committing to supporting them monthly for a period of 2 years following their transition from the Home.
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Renting two large, furnished homes (one for the girls and one for the boys) outside of Mathari, and setting it up with furniture, supplies, groceries, and house parents who will be responsible for their care and oversight.
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Tapping into any government resources/programs that may already be in place for them.
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Setting up a program to manage their funds and, just as importantly, to teach them to do so for themselves.
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We have no doubt this is what we've been called to - and we'd love to bring you with us. The goal is audacious but it is one that will "teach them to fish" - setting them on a path that they can sustain for the rest of their lives.
OUR 2024-2025 GOAL:
A $5,000 Set-Up Raise,
and 14 Monthly Sponsors
Our set raise of $5,000 is to cover all set-up costs for our older kids as they embark on this chapter (deposits, furniture, household supplies, school supplies). Our monthly sponsors will then help us maintain the monthly costs (rent, groceries, additional school supplies).
Our sponsorship program offers the opportunity to commit a monthly amount of $295 per month, which covers everything one student needs for that month in order to continue their college studies (tuition, supplies, etc.)
Sponsorship breakdown PER STUDENT:
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Rent, Utilities, & House Supplies - $100/month
College Tuition & Supplies - $195​​
Total = $295
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As a sponsor, you will receive the name of the student that you're sponsoring and will even be able to correspond directly with your sponsee, giving you both the opportunity to build your own personal connection. They will keep you updated on their progress at school, what their studying, how their hobbies are going, etc.
MEET OUR FIRST STUDENTS...
I am David Mwaura (23). I came to Good Samaritan Children's Home in the year 2010. I am the fourth-born from a family of five, all raised by a poor, single mum. My siblings have challenges that I can't explain - you just need to see them. The only way to provide for our basic needs was through menial jobs in the slums of Mathare, surrounded by insecurity, drugs and no hope for health and education. The Good Samaritan Children's Home has been my home for the last 13 years. I finished my high school in 2022, and now my desire is to join college to pursue a course in automative engineering. I love vehicle engines and working with vehiclces would be a great dream. One day, I will be able to support my mum and my younger sister.
My name is Christine Mugure (19). I am a very hopeful girl. The center has been my home since 2014. My elder sister and I were brought to the Children's Home by our aging, poor and ill grandmother after my mother passed away. Our aging grandparent was not able to feed, shelter or educate us, and life in the slums became hopeless. The Children's Home became our home. Through support, I finished my high school in 2023. My desire is to join college to pursue courses in automotives.
I am Margaret Wambui (18). I joined Good Samaritan Children's Home when I was very young. I only remember that a police officer from Kamkunji police station spotted my mum, my sister and I sleeping and begging in streets. We were basically a street family. Life was so meaningless and miserable. The Good Samaritan Children's Home, with the care of Project Kazuri, became our only home. I finished my high school last year, in 2023. My dream is to join college to study a course in hospitality so I can be able to get a job that can take care of me and my mum.
My name is Hannah Nyambura. I joined Good Samaritan when I was so small, I don't even know the year. I am an orphan and was brought to the center by my unemployed aunt, since she could not take care of me and her children. This is the only home I know. I did my high school in 2022. My hope and prayer is to join a technical training college and be a plant operator in the near future.
My name is Peter Kyalo. I joined Good Samaritan Children's Home in the year 2010. My parents separated when I was young, leaving us under the care of my father who was not able to give us any care. My uncle took. us in, but also being very poor, was at the verge of abandoning us when he decided to seek help at the Good Samaritan Children's Home. I just finished my high school, and my prayer and hope is to join tertiary education to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher.
My name is Bernard Maina (20). I joined the center in 2014 when I was in grade one. I am from a family of seven children. My poor mother could not support all of us for food and shelter and dreams of education. My parent, seeing no hope, sought help at the Good Samaritan Children's Home. I wish to join Embu University to pursue a career in community development.
My name is Samuel Kiragu (19). I joined the Good Samaritan Children's Home when I was four years old, together with my brother, who dropped out of school. Both of our parents died when we were very young, and we were under the care of our aged and sick grandmother who was unable to take care of us. An aunt took us in, but was also too poor to provide for us and she gave up. Through a local chief (government administrator), we were brought to the children's home for assistance. I have finished secondary education and I wish to join Embu University to pursue a career in education.
My name is Samuel Jogoo Mwaniki (18). I came to Good Samaritan when I was 5 years old. My father left us under the care of my mother. My single mother was unable to take care of us. Life became very hard and unable to even feed us and kicked out of a small rented house, and she decided to seek for help at the center. I have completed secondary education and wish to join university to pursue a career in education to become a teacher.
