Ngando is a slum that is composed of people from different backgrounds and is a neighborhood that represents all kinds of people. It is evident that majority of this group is the extremely needy people and it is easy to notice that the way people live here. As it is a norm in the slums, majority of the people here struggle affording even the basic needs like food and therefore, life is generally hard for this group. When you talk of this, education seems like a dream to them and most children in this setting rarely go to school all the days of the term. It’s not because they feel good missing school but because they can’t afford it. During our visit to Mahlon Ouru’s home pre-visit, we find him at home as it is common in the community. This is a bright student and it’s unfortunate that he is going through the same despite him being bright.
The child’s single mother is happy to welcome us to their home. She says that life has been hard for them and the income that she gets through doing cleaning in a local church has been little to cater for her and her two children. This is in terms of ensuring that they are fully and always in school, getting all the basic needs provided and many other provisions. She is happy with the fact that her son might get a sponsor so that his school attendance can improve. The child would like to become a pilot in the future and majorly, be able to travel around the world and equally be able to transform his life and that of his family for the better. At the moment, it’s a humble background and every day when the child and the rest of the family wake up from their single iron sheet and timber house, they only wish for a miracle to happen so that money can be available. The child would like to always be in school just like the other privileged children, something the family know a sponsorship opportunity will help solve.
When Mahlon’s mother heard that there is an organization that sponsors bright children in the community, she was happy to have her son come do a selection interview, which Mahlon passed with flying colors. He got 559 out of a possible 700 marks. The child is in fourth grade and is currently at Swanland academy. When he gets a sponsor, the child will be able to join Nelson Mandela School and be able to benefit from quality education which will help him achieve his dreams of becoming a pilot.