Elimu Hub opened on May 18!
“Elimu” means “education” in Swahili, and Elimu Hub is the center of learning activities, resources, and the community. Elimu Hub is on the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation campus, adjacent to the administrative building of our offices in Nairobi. It is surrounded by a secure wall that embraces students with a sense of protection and safety in an unstable and sometimes dangerous neighborhood. Elimu Hub houses our upgraded computer lab and expanded library.
The library is an important resource center for our students as most of them are in school. Besides the books we have acquired through the years, Braeburn School donated more books that will be beneficial to our students. With this gift, we now have more books for our growing community. All this will help us to ensure that our students achieve their academic goals.
The computer lab will be helpful for our students as a tool in their education. Primary-age students from Nelson Mandela Academy take computer classes at the computer lab during the week. Students from other primary schools take classes on Saturdays before they attend the Saturday Program. Recent High School graduates will take their Computer classes at the computer lab taught by Belmont College. At the end of the course, they are issued a certificate that makes them marketable in the job market.
We have never before had a purpose-built structure. The new Elimu Hub was built using recycled 20-foot shipping containers, three up and three on the main level. They have been transformed into a fun, and useful building. Its completion was highly anticipated knowing its launch would bring about positive changes for our students and staff.
Our launch ceremony had representatives from the organizations who made Elimu Hub possible. Representatives from the Rotary Club of Kikuyu, Braeburn School, and Container 254 attended. Though not present, the Rotary Club of South Minneapolis Evenings and Friends of Ngong Road were recognized. The event consisted of performances from our students who presented poems and dances. We even had a taekwondo performance.
Kelvin Thuku, our program manager, appreciated the growth of Elimu Hub, from the idea to the implementation stage and finally its unveiling. He regards it as one of the biggest achievements of the organization. He also thanked the partners for their support during the whole process of construction and completion of the project. The president of the Rotary Club of Kikuyu, Ann Ichung’wa, officially launched the Elimu Hub making it ready for use by our students.
We extend our utmost gratitude to our partner organizations and all of you that contributed to our Elimu Hub campaign This project would never have happened without your support. Thank you for helping us in the process of transforming the lives of our students.
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