As we close the chapter on 2025, I am filled with immense gratitude and pride. This year has been one of significant transformation, resilience, and renewed focus for the Hands of Love.

We began the year with difficult decisions to ensure our sustainability, but we end it with a clear vision, a stabilized environment, and a celebration of our students’ success.

A Year of Strategic Refocus

In January, we made the decision to streamline our operations and concentrate solely on preschool education. This meant phasing out Grades 1 and 2 to concentrate on our youngest learners: Playgroup, Nursery, Pre-Primary 1 (PP1), and Pre-Primary 2 (PP2).

The reduction in our student body, from 192 to 115 enabled us to optimize and appropriately scale our resources. The year was also marked by significant learning, allowing us to observe the impact of the changes and evaluate their efficacy so as to determine the best way forward.

Education Milestones

Throughout the year, we successfully adapted to Kenya’s changing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) standards. Our streamlined size allowed us to be agile, integrating academic, social, and emotional learning more effectively. The detailed class reports by teachers demonstrate this.

A standout achievement this year has been the deeper integration of the Waldorf Education Method thanks to the support and guidance from our friends and partners at Direttamente Italy. Led by our headteacher, Lilian Anyango, we have woven painting, singing, movement, and nature-based play into our daily routine.

In March, our PP2 students proudly represented Hands of Love at the Nairobi Drama Festivals by performing an English choral verse. The experience was a resounding success that boosted their public speaking skills and self-esteem.

Health, Nutrition, and Welfare

Our commitment to nourishment grew stronger in 2025. We served two meals a day to 115 children for a total of 205 days. A total of 47,150 meals.

As anticipated in our June update, we started receiving support from the Nairobi County government’s “Food for Education” program. This partnership has been a game-changer enabling us to significantly reduce the cost of the food program.

The rooftop garden did not do very well this year because we had long stretches of time when our water supply was cut. However, the addition of 25 egg chickens in July enabled us to increase protein intake for our students in the second half of the year.

To improve water safety we installed clean drinking water stations in every classroom, treated with Ministry of Health-approved tablets to ensure the health of our students.

This year, the families we serve have demonstrated inspiring resilience, extending our work far beyond the classroom. Despite the challenging economic climate in Kariobangi, our parents have partnered closely with us, prioritizing their children’s education by attending meetings and volunteering. We conducted 43 home visits, further strengthening these ties. A notable example of our commitment to the community was hosting five families at the school for three days after a devastating neighborhood fire.

Facility Upgrades

We undertook essential maintenance to ensure our school remains a safe and welcoming haven. These improvements, aimed at keeping our learning environment bright, clean, and secure, significantly enhance the daily lives and dignity of our learners and staff. They include improvements in the kitchen, extending the rooftop shade and installation of additional water storage tanks.

The Class of 2025 Graduation

The absolute highlight of our year took place in October, when we held a colorful and joyous graduation ceremony for our Pre-Primary 2 (PP2) class. It was a day filled with song, dance, and tears of joy from parents and staff alike.

Seeing these students—who have grown with us in confidence and capability—don their gowns and receive their certificates was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The stability we achieved this year has given us the confidence to dream again. As we look toward 2026, we are exploring the possibility of eliminating the Play Group and reintroducing Grades 1 through 3, this will be done slowly starting with grade 1 in 2026. We are aiming to bring our student population back up to a maximum of 130 while maintaining the high quality of care we are known for.

None of our achievements would have been possible without the generous support of friends around the world. As always, we would be grateful for any contribution you are able to consider, keeping in mind that $365 fully supports schooling and feeding one child for the entire year.

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Class Reports

Play Group (PG)

By Monica Njeri and Effie Joan

Introduction

The play group has a total of 40 learners 16 of them being girls and 24 being boys.The learners have throughout the year shown enthusiasm in learning and class activities. They actively participate in songs, games,storytelling and group activities. Most of them come to school regularly and on time.

Academic Progress

Language: The learners can identify letter sounds, can read pictures and express themselves clearly. Many enjoy dancing and singing.

Mathematics: the learners can count numbers from 1-10,can count and write, can fill in the missing numbers.

Core Competencies Developed

Communication and expression through songs, rhymes and storytelling. Collaboration and team work during play-time.

Behavior and Social Development

The learners are generally well-disciplined, respectful and caring. They share learning materials e.g. Crayons and pencils and play together.

They are learning values of honesty, respect and responsibility.

Conclusion

This has been a successful year. The learners have worked hard and shown steady progress. We appreciate the support of the parents, and with continued cooperation the learners will achieve even greater success.

Pre Primary One (PP1)

By Monica Amolo and RoseAnn Awuor

Introduction

Pre primary 1 class consists of 42 learners (23 boys and 19 girls). Throughout the year, the group has consistently demonstrated high levels of cooperation, discipline, and performance, resulting in a positive and productive learning environment.

Academic Growth and Engagement

The class has achieved significant milestones, particularly in literacy. Learners who previously struggled with reading, writing letters, or identifying letter sounds have made substantial progress and have now mastered these foundational skills.

This success is attributed to our shift toward active learning methodologies and the integration of aspects of the Waldorf approach, which incorporates more play activities, painting, craft making, and group work. This approach has directly led to greater conceptual understanding and enhanced peer cooperation. Overall learning engagement has increased substantially, creating a dynamic and stimulating classroom atmosphere.

Student Well-being and Class Culture

We have fostered a safe, supportive, and polite class environment. This inclusive atmosphere has helped previously withdrawn learners become cooperative and engaged members of the class.

Inspiring personal growth has been evident across the group. For example, Hudson Muraya, who initially struggled with fear and withdrawal, has built tremendous confidence and now participates fully and freely. The class maintains a lively and joyful spirit, with energetic personalities like Azel Jabali, Evis Chege, and Hayaat contributing humor and life to the classroom.

We remain committed to providing emotional support to all learners, focusing on those who experience fear or learning difficulties, to ensure every child feels comfortable and secure in their learning environment.

Pre Primary 2 (PP2)

By Lilian Anyango, Diana Orego, and Lavine Ayienda

Overview

The academic year started with 39 learners and ended with 33, with the attrition of six learners attributed to family challenges or relocation.

Academic Performance

The class showed significant overall improvements in core subjects, particularly in literacy, numeracy, and environmental knowledge. Assessment was comprehensive, using both formal and informal methods. While the majority of learners excelled, a small number require additional, targeted support from both teachers and parents to reach their full potential.

Behavior and Discipline

General conduct was commendably good, with most learners consistently adhering to class rules. Overall discipline improved greatly through a consistent system of rewarding good behavior. Socially, learners demonstrated strong cooperation, unity, and respect during all structured and free-time activities.

Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance was generally good. However, recurring issues included some learners skipping the first week of term, prolonged absences due to sickness. Punctuality significantly improved after parental communication, allowing early-arriving learners valuable practice time.

Achievements

Learners made notable cognitive and communication advancements, with most now able to read, understand, and participate in meaningful conversations. They developed confidence and life skills, successfully completing practical projects like making pom-poms and weaving mats. Special effort was made to encourage shy learners, resulting in their successful participation in activities such as singing and reciting poems. We are confident that the graduating class is well-prepared for Grade One next year.

Conclusion

We are very grateful for the support we received from the school administration, fellow teachers, and parents which made this year a success.

None of our achievements would have been possible without the generous support of friends around the world. As always, we would be grateful for any contribution you are able to consider, keeping in mind that $365 fully supports schooling and feeding one child for the entire year.

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This June 2025 newsletter is aimed at updating you on how we are navigating challenging economic times to maximize our resources so we can continue to provide a safe and nurturing place for young Kenyans to learn, along with the nourishment and support they need to flourish.

Ensuring sustainability

Following a difficult funding situation in 2024, we had to make some tough decisions for this 2025 school year to ensure a sustainable future for our school. We reduced the number of students and the number of classes and therefore, regrettably, also our teaching and support staff. With our Kariobangi community, our families and our partners, we are using 2025 to refine our mission for 2026 onwards.

This year, Hands of Love has three classes, Nursey (3-year-olds), Pre-Primary 1 (4-year-olds), and Pre-Primary 2 (5-year-olds). Current enrollment in these classes is 32, 40, and 37, respectively, for a total of 109 students, 52 girls and 57 boys.

We had a huge number of deserving applications. We prioritized students from the neediest backgrounds, those with special needs, and siblings of currently enrolled students. To determine needs, we conducted home visits to assess family circumstances and living environments.

The reduction in classes also led to a decrease in staff. We now have six teachers, one cook, one cleaner, and one administrative assistant.

These changes enabled us to reduce our 2025 budget across the board for food, health and welfare programs and personnel. By meeting our end-of-year fundraising goals and staying within our budget projections in the first five months of the year has raised our morale and given us confidence that we are better prepared for the future. It is our aim to bring back focus to education by reintroducing grades 1 to 3 in 2026 while maintaining the number of students to around 125.

Implementing new curriculum standards

Based on teacher and stakeholder input, Kenya’s competency-based curriculum standards were changed again for 2025. The changes aim to reduce overload, improve learning outcomes, and offer greater flexibility for co-curricular activities.

Some of the changes include:

• Merging related subjects to decrease overlap and reduce lessons per week.

• Flexibility in choosing co-curricular activities and competencies/skills, based on individual needs.

• Integration of academic, social, emotional, and physical learning aspects for a more coherent educational experience.

Our streamlined operations have enabled us to adapt to the new standards quickly to implement them in the 2025 school year.

Providing students with excellent education through a group of dedicated teachers

Although our restructuring meant a reduction in the number of our teachers, we are proud to share the profiles of two of our exceptional educators in this newsletter.

Teacher Profile: Lilian Anyango, Pre-primary 2A

I appreciate HOL’s support for my professional growth, allowing me to teach various grades and develop leadership skills. It feels like home. I’m currently learning about the Waldorf curriculum, which focuses on educating the whole child through head, heart, and hands. I aim to bring this engaging approach to my students.

Lilian joined Hands of Love in 2016 and is currently our headteacher. She holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education and recently earned her degree in Education. With Direttamente’s support, she is also currently pursuing a course in Waldorf Education.

Teacher Profile: Diana Orego, Pre-Primary 2B

I am happy to be a part of Hands of Love! The clean and healthy environment for both staff and students, along with the readily available resources, make it an ideal place to work. I’m also excited about the learning opportunities through the school’s training programs, which helps me connect with and support the learners effectively. The encouragement of creativity through activities like drama and poetry is fantastic, as it allows students to explore their talents beyond the classroom.

Diana joined Hands of Love in January 2021 with eight years of experience working as a teacher. She also has a diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Why are we training our teachers in the Waldorf Education Method?

Since a two-week training workshop in 2023 funded and organized by Direttamente, our partner in Italy, teachers at HOL have been integrating aspects of the Waldorf approach into our curriculum in several ways. For example, students have a consistent schedule for activities like painting, singing, and movement. The predictability of these activities provides a sense of security and grounding for children who live in the often-unpredictable nature of slum life. Our teachers also strive to be a stable and caring presence to students who lack consistent adult support. And finally, they connect imagination and play with nature through activities in our rooftop garden. Students participate in unstructured play in the garden to expose them to a variety of nature’s elements.

The Waldorf method:

• Emphasizes the importance of social-emotional learning, which is often integrated into the curriculum.

• Encourages teachers to develop their artistic skills, which are then used to enhance teaching and engage students.

• Encourages a holistic understanding of child development, considering the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of the child.

Improving our food program year over year

Over the years, our food program has grown to be more robust. Initially, we were just trying to make sure our students received food on a daily basis. Now, we aim at making sure our meals meet the nutritional needs of our children. The menus vary based on what is in season, both at our rooftop garden and at the local markets. Recently, we have been able to grow a lot of zucchini, green beans, spring onions and coriander. At the moment, the market has been rich in mangoes, watermelons, mung beans and cabbage. We also raise chickens for eggs and meat on the rooftop garden to increase the children’s protein intake.

We anticipate a further decrease in our food bills in July when the Nairobi County government’s “Food for Education” program begins providing meals. This program utilizes centralized kitchens to prepare and deliver cooked meals to schools within the district. Students will use an armband with a tag to access meals and will be charged Kshs5 per meal (less than 5 cents), which we will cover. Breakfast will still be prepared in-house and will be supplemented with additional vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and meat on various days.

Expanding our rooftop garden for food and play

The rooftop garden was a key part of our food program’s success in 2024, and we’re eager to continue that in 2025. In addition to raising vegetables we have added 55 chickens, 30 for meat and 25 for eggs. The children will be able to enjoy chicken-based meals as well as hard boiled eggs to increase their protein intake.

We remain committed to the garden as a valuable learning space, enhancing it with a partial roof for shade and shelter, allowing year-round use. We also raised the guardrails around the perimeter for safety and to provide space for garden pots, leaving more floor space for the kids to play. A lot of the garden improvements have been financed by Direttamente through the Italian taxpayers (5×1000) fund.

Participating in a food security challenge

This year, the Africa Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) invited us to participate in an urban food security challenge. The goal of the challenge is to showcase urban container farming as a solution to food security challenges in urban areas. Hands of Love is participating with other schools to show how much food we can grow in a year. The school that grows the most food or demonstrates the most innovative ways to grow food in urban settings will win a prize of $10,000. We are hoping to win, based on our innovative approach and track record of growing a great deal within a limited space.

Providing clean drinking water in each classroom

To protect our students’ health, we have installed hand-pumped 20-liter water bottles with clean drinking water in each classroom. The water is held in a dedicated 2,500 water tank, Initially, we treated the water by boiling it, but now we are treating the water with tablets provided by the Ministry of Health for free. We also have two 2,500-liter tanks, one for the kitchen and the other for toilets and sinks.

Thank you for your support

Through education, nourishment and inspiration we are helping the children of Kariobangi to escape the cycle of poverty. We are grateful for the support we have received from hundreds of individuals over the past fifteen years to make this possible.

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• We kicked off the year by welcoming 40 new students, bringing our total to 192 bright young minds eager to learn!

• In March, we introduced dance and ballet lessons, and our inaugural drama team took 5th place in the Nairobi Drama Festivals!

  

• Throughout the year, our rooftop garden continued to be a source of fresh vegetables for our kitchen and a vibrant outdoor learning space for our students.

  

• Every single day, we served two hot, nutritious meals to all 192 children, fueling their learning and growth.

  

• We maintained an amazing 90% average attendance rate throughout the year.

• We fostered strong partnerships with families by holding 12 parent-teacher meetings and three personalized academic clinics.

  

• Our talented music team also wowed audiences at the Nairobi Music Festivals in August, securing a respectable 8th place.

  

• In October, we celebrated 42 of our pre-primary students graduating and moving on to primary school – a testament to their hard work and your support!

  

• A huge congratulations to our Head Teacher on graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Education! Her dedication inspires us all.

• The rising cost of living significantly impacted our food program throughout the year, making it more expensive to provide nutritious meals.

• Heavy floods in May and June, followed by the anti-government protests from June to August, unfortunately disrupted school and impacted learning time.

• Due to resource constraints, our board recently made the difficult decision to reduce our enrollment to 100 students in 2025. This has been a painful process, as families now scramble to find alternative schools for their children.

2024 was filled with incredible triumphs and heartwarming moments. Thank you for being a part of our journey and supporting us in providing quality education and care to children in Kariobangi. For more updates, visit our homepage

Often, incidents like these spark anger and outrage, but soon enough, life seems to move on until the next tragedy occurs. But today, I’ve been reflecting on what truly needs to change. And I keep coming back to the same thought: until we address the root causes of youth violence in Kariobangi, nothing much will improve.

One major factor is the high school dropout rate. In three nearby secondary schools, it’s over 30%. Studies consistently show a link between dropping out of school and criminal activity. Young people who lack the skills and opportunities that education provides are more likely to fall prey to poverty, substance abuse, and gang influence.

So, what can we do? One crucial step is providing access to quality early childhood education. This gives children a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills. When kids have these positive early learning experiences, they’re more likely to stay engaged in school, graduate high school, and pursue further opportunities.

I’m proud that at Hands of Love, we’re already working to address this issue by offering quality early childhood education to underprivileged children in Kariobangi. The nurturing environment, individualized support, and nutritious meals we provide have changed the lives of many children over the years. Some of them are now thriving in universities and colleges.

Today’s tragedy reminds us how important this work is. By investing in early childhood education, we’re not only helping children succeed; we’re building a safer and more just community for everyone.

Progress and Achievements

Enrolment and Academic Performance

We have been on an incredible journey since the start of 2024, characterised by an unwavering commitment by our teachers to provide our children with the best education. This dedication has culminated in extraordinary academic achievements across all levels, 

As of June 2024, Hands of Love Education Centre has:

• Enrolled 192 students

• Maintained a 97% attendance rate

• Achieved an average improvement of 8% in overall academic performance compared to the previous year

Last year, Direttamente supported the training of our teachers in the Waldorf approach to education. This approach utilizes a whole-child approach that is responsive to a child's cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being and also integrates the arts, service-learning, imagination, and multi-sensory teaching methods. I am happy to note that the Preschool 1 and 2 teachers have embraced the approach and are integrating some aspects. Integrating the approach at the preschool level has been easier than at the primary level.

Extracurricular Activities

Our extracurricular activities have expanded to include ballet and urban dance in addition to our existing scouting, cooking, gardening, music, and drama programs. These activities offer our students various ways to express themselves, be creative, and grow personally outside their academic studies. They help students develop essential life skills such as teamwork, boost self-confidence, and provide platforms to discover and nurture their talents. By increasing student engagement, these extracurricular activities enhance the learning experience and make it more enjoyable and fulfilling for our students.

In February, our drama team participated in the Kasarani District Drama Festivals for the first time, winning fifth place.

In June, our school participated in the Kasarani District Music Festivals, showcasing our talents in six categories. We excelled in each category, particularly in folk dance, where our performance earned us second place. This achievement has granted us the honor of representing our district at  Nairobi Region Music Festivals.

Ballet training

Modern Dance Training

Food Programme

Our food program continues to be a cornerstone of our support for students:

• Providing two hot meals daily for all 192 children six days a week

• Ensuring proper nutrition to support learning and growth

• Reducing absenteeism

The sight of students eagerly enjoying their meals is a daily reminder of how crucial our food program is, especially when families struggle with food insecurity.

Rooftop Garden

The rooftop garden continued to be a transformative project for the school, offering benefits such as experiential learning by integrating subjects like science, math, and nutrition and enhancing hands-on education. Additionally, the garden provides access to fresh produce, teaching students about healthy eating habits. 

Health and Welfare 

In March and June, we gave our children deworming and vitamin pills, a practice we undertake every six months. During the last six months, we have facilitated 63 hospital visits for various conditions.

We held separate parent-teacher meetings for preschool, grade 1, and grade 2 in January, March, and April. These meetings provided opportunities to formulate common goals and agendas for the year. Also, they provided a forum where we collaboratively shared and addressed our students' performance and needs, including strategies to address emotional and social issues.

Tragically, one of our grade two students lost their father to death after he suffered from a stroke in early June.

Challenges

During this period, we faced several challenges, including increasing commodity costs, floods, and demolition.  

High cost of living

The high cost of living, compounded by bad economic conditions in the country, drove more of our families into food insecurity, increasing the demand for our food program at a time when the cost of food commodities is still high.  

Heavy Rains and floods

In April and May, Nairobi experienced persistent heavy rainfall, leading to floods in many parts of the country. The rains and floods closed schools for two weeks, affecting school programs. Although our area was spared from the worst effects of the floods after the rains in June, the government ordered the demolition of houses in areas along two rivers that flow near Kariobangi, which are prone to flooding, leaving many residents displaced, including 23 of our families.

Anti Government Protest

In late June, a series of anti-government demonstrations protested high taxation, corruption, and high cost of living. Safety concerns and transportation disruptions during the protests prevented some of our teachers from reaching work, disrupting the learning process, and one of our staff members sustained minor injuries when she was caught amid a clash between protestors and police while buying school supplies.

Community Impact and Alumni Success

Once they leave Hands of Love, our students continue to excel in their education endeavors, demonstrating the long-lasting impact of our work. We are tracking more than 150 students who have graduated from our school since 2015. Here are a number of them. 

Brighton Ochieng - Graduated from Hands of Love in 2014

Lavine Ondemo - Graduated from Hands of Love in 2014

Fernando Torres - Graduated from Hands of Love in 2018

Precious and Kate - Graduated from Hands of Love in 2021

Farthosa Bariso - Graduated from Hands of Love in 2013

Goals for the Second Half of the Year

We look forward to continuing to provide our students with the best services in the second half of 2023.

The budget for the second half of the year is as follows. 

Conclusion

Our school continues to play an important role in the Kariobangi community, and our achievements are only possible due to the support of our donors and dedicated staff. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to our mission. 

As we look forward to the rest of the year, we remain committed to providing quality education and support to our students, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to succeed.

Dandora is the largest dumpsite in Nairobi, found about 3.5 kilometres from Kariobangi. Many families live or rely on the dumpsite, searching through trash for milk cartons, sacks, pieces of metal, leftover food, plastics, glass, and anything else that can be sold or recycled. Many children help their parents or are employed to carry and sort the garbage. When we rescued Fernando, he was employed in this way.

I am delighted to share the news that Fernando passed his primary national tests (KCPE) with a stellar score of 353 out of 500. This puts Fernando in a fantastic position to continue his education, as it will allow him to enrol in a top high school.

It's difficult to fathom where Fernando would be now if not for the rescue; drug usage is common there, and vicious gangs frequently force young boys to join them. What we are certain of is that Fernando's life is better now and on the right track. 

Thank you so much to our supporters from all over the world whose generous contributions enable us to continue impacting the lives of hundreds of children in Kariobangi.

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Our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students has earned us the trust of the families, resulting in a close-knit school community where everyone looks out for one another. This makes it possible for our teachers to have a deeper awareness of the circumstances that our kids face at home, which benefits us in meeting our kids' requirements for social, emotional, and physical health as well as education.

This is important because families in Kariobangi face challenges such as no running water, inadequate sanitation, not much food at home, and cramped quarters shared with family members—often all in one room. And in many cases, there is only one parent in the home, struggling to make ends meet and provide for their children. The challenging living conditions can lead to health issues, hinder educational opportunities, and contribute to emotional and social difficulties.

For students like David, Zawadi, Abigael, and Kenzia, Hands of Love provides a nurturing environment for their growth and success.

David’s father died a few years ago following a cholera outbreak in Kariobangi and surrounding slum areas. He now lives with his sickly mother.

Zawadi lives with her mother in a run-down building. She has a congenital hand deformity, and her mother works as a cleaning lady.

Kenzia lives with her father, mother, and two sisters. Her father is a casual laborer, and her mother is a cleaning lady.

Abigael lives with her mother, sister, grandmother, two aunts, and four cousins in a two-room house near the school. Her mother works as a waitress in a restaurant in downtown Nairobi.

David, Zawadi, Abigael, and Kenzia have found solace and support at Hands of Love, despite the hardships they face. We provide them with a safe space to learn and grow. They receive the emotional and educational support they need to thrive, despite their difficult circumstances.

Hands of Love is able to do these little things that make big differences in the well-being of our families because of the contributions - large and small - and moral support that we receive from well-wishers from around the world.

Give to Hands of Love Today

In our work, it may appear that we are not making any difference, as poverty is still widespread and many children still lack access to early childhood education. However, we undoubtedly change the trajectory of the lives of our children. When we love children by providing care, stability, love, and education, we make investments in their journey. The story of Emma Nyambura illustrates this.

In mid-2019, we made an appeal for Emma Nyambura, a girl in our school who had rickets that caused severe bowing, leaving her with chronic pain in the spine, pelvis, and legs, making it difficult for her to learn.

Following the intervention, Emma was successfully treated at Kijabe Mission Hospital, and after five months of convalescing, she fully recovered and returned to school to continue her learning.

Emma has just completed grade 2 (November 2023) and was one of the performers at a fashion show during our graduation ceremony, where she advocated for recycling and sustainable use of resources with special attire made from upcycled milk packets.

Emma's confidence and determination as she gracefully walked down the runway, symbolized her triumph over adversity. Her story serves as an inspiration to others, proving that with proper care and support, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.  

It is a powerful reminder of the difference Hands of Love is making.

On Friday, October 27, 2023, we held our annual graduation ceremony. The ceremony was a joyous occasion, celebrating the accomplishments of our preschoolers who graduated from preschool to primary school.

The ceremony - which was held at Kariobangi Nursery, a neighbouring catholic owned Pre-school - began with a procession of the graduating class, who were dressed in their graduation gowns and caps.

(We are grateful to Kariobangi Nursery for letting us use their grounds and facilities for free again this year.)

The students then performed a dance presentation, which was both entertaining and heartwarming. Other students from other classes also made presentations, which included a mix of traditional and modern dances.

The ceremony was presided over by the children welfare officer, Ruaraka district. He gave a speech in which he congratulated the graduating class and praised the teachers and staff of Hands of Love for their dedication and hard work. He also spoke about the importance of education and how it can help children to achieve their dreams.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas to the graduating class. The students were beaming with pride as they received their diplomas, and their families and friends were cheering and clapping in support. In total 47 students graduated and will be joining Grade 1 next year. Hands of Love currently has 176 students.

It was a truly memorable day for all involved, and it was a fitting celebration of the accomplishments of the graduating class 

We are grateful to our supporters in Kenya, Italy, and the USA, whose support throughout the year allowed us to conclude the year successfully and make the graduation ceremony possible.

After surviving disruptions associated with COVID, Hands of Love is back on schedule with three semesters planned for the 2023 school year.

• First Semester: January - April

• Second Semester: May - August

• Third Semester: September - December

The school opened on January 24^th with 40 new students, bringing our total to 162 children. The following articles detail our efforts this quarter in three main areas: Learning and Teaching, our Food Program and Current Challenges.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

A normal schedule allows time for co-curricular activities

Learning programs have returned to normal this year after a very compact schedule last year due to COVID interruptions. 

There was a small change in the curriculum which necessitated the purchase of new textbooks. However, the first semester has progressed smoothly and all the new learners have adapted well to the school routine.

One of the bonuses of being back on a normal schedule is that we have been able to restart our co-curricular activities including sports (soccer, athletics and ultimate frisbee) and our music festival. The students love getting involved in these activities, which are not only fun but teach important life skills as well.

Computer lessons get a boost with a new teacher and equipment

Last year, our director, Mr. Sami, provided computer lessons for students in grades one and two. 

This year, Mr. John Waruru is teaching the computer lessons and doing a fantastic job!

Teacher John is an older brother to one of our pre-primary 2 students. He graduated from Taita Taveta University with a bachelor's degree in computer science. Mr. John currently works part time for a survey and mining company but volunteers each Wednesday to teach basic computer skills to our students.

Many thanks also go to our Italian partners, Direttamente, who gave our computer program a huge boost by donating funds for five new computers and a projector.

The goal of the program is to provide students with skills to thrive in a digital world and to promote digital inclusion in Kariobangi.

Term 1 assessment tests are underway

After Easter, our students began participating in the Kararani district assessment tests. Last year, our students outperformed students in the same grade from other schools. We are hoping for positive results again and will report on the findings in an upcoming newsletter. 

Two new teachers joined our team

Two new teachers joined Hands of Love in February of this year. Mr. John, the computer teacher mentioned above and Diana Orego, the Grade 2 teacher, who is taking the place of Teacher Pauline while she is on maternity leave.

Teacher Diana has a diploma in early childhood education and six years teaching experience. Before joining Hands of Love, she was teaching at Little Jewels Junior School in Nairobi. Diana has been impressed by the quality of education and the welfare program at Hands of Love. She noted, “I really love the teaching methods and performance of students in this school. The food program here is also better than the one at my previous school.”  

Teacher Diana is a mother who lives with her two children (4 and 10 years old) in Kariobangi South, Nairobi.

FOOD PROGRAM

Food insecurity is prevalent and never-ending

Food insecurity remains one of the biggest threats to the welfare of our children and their families. To ensure our students are fed, healthy and ready to learn, we served a total of 17,820 meals to 162 children from January 24 to April 6, 2023. 

To address the challenge of rising food cost we made changes to our menu removing rice which was served three times a week and substituting it with Ugali (a type of corn meal made from corn flour). We buy corn in bulk and take it to a local miller. This is 30% cheaper than buying packed cornflour and has the additional benefit that we can use the byproduct of the milling process as chicken feed.

Our rooftop garden is thriving

Our rooftop garden is not only a great outdoor learning lab, it’s also an important source of food. We are currently growing tomatoes, spring onions and amaranth in a variety of pots. The vegetables were planted in early February and are now providing lots of nourishment for our twice-daily meals. 

Amaranth is a leaf vegetable that has proven to be very well suited to our garden environment. In fact, the growth has been so robust that we have been able to harvest the amaranth twice a week. We are also trying a new variety of tomatoes which look very promising.

The number of chickens has been reduced for two reasons: we harvested some birds last year for the graduation party and a disease outbreak in January killed additional animals. We currently have eight chickens that are laying eggs and eleven chicks.  

CURRENT CHALLENGES

A volatile political situation causes disruptions

Since March 20, 2023, there have been nationwide demonstrations concerning the cost of living. The opposition organized weekly protests which resulted in outbreaks of violence and police brutality. Consequently, businesses have been disrupted and schools have been closed as a precaution. Since Kariobangi was among the areas where violent protests occurred, Hands of Love was impacted by the school closures. The unstable political environment has also had a direct impact on the cost of living and access to services which were disrupted by the protests. 

Rainy season brings infections; shoes and sweaters needed

The rainy season started later than expected but the typical challenges are right on schedule. Exposure to water-borne infections has resulted in an increase in respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections. We continually work to ensure our school is a safe space by cleaning surfaces on a regular basis and providing hand-washing soap.

However, our students need proper shoes and sweaters to help protect their feet and shield them from the cold. Since we have not had our annual shoe drive since 2022, the 80 new students we’ve added during that time have not had the opportunity to get new shoes.

A tight budget in 2023!

We have always strived to keep our budget as modest as possible while making it possible to achieve our aims of educating and feeding and keeping over 160 children healthy and well clothed while making sure our staff and teachers earn a living wage. A strong dollar has been a blessing this year but it has not been able to keep up with the pace of inflation and the need to keep our facilities up-to-date. Any donation, large or small, would be much appreciated. Monthly contributions are especially welcome. Please support us to continue providing much-needed education and food security to the children of Kariobangi.

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Thank you!

This marks the first time in 14 years that we are cobbling together an end-of-year newsletter to highlight for our friends and supporters some of the school’s challenges and achievements in 2022. You may not be aware that both organizations raising funds for Hands of Love (Hands of Love in the USA and Direttamente in Italy) have always aimed at maintaining our overhead costs at zero so that all donations we receive – around $65,000 in recent years – go directly to cover costs of teaching, feeding and caring for 160-200 children for an entire year in Kariobangi, where 40% of the population live in extreme poverty. That is why our scant communications and fundraising efforts are undertaken with the most modest of means. Over the years our goals have remained both ambitious and modest at the same time. We have seen over 1,000 children pass through our doors since 2008 and I can say with confidence that your support has had a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of appreciative families. I join these families and our dedicated team in Kariobangi to thank you for your continued moral and financial support. 

Top 5 reasons you should donate to Hands of Love

1. Donations are totally tax-deductible (we are a 501c organization)

2. 100% of donations go directly to the school – all administration is done by volunteers

3. Feeding a child’s body is the first step to nourishing their mind

4. Early education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty

5. Special needs students are embraced, not excluded

How do we spend your donations?

Help us to continue our mission.

DONATE HERE

2022 Challenges and Accomplishments

Adjusting to a shorter school year

The 2022 school year was one of the shortest and busiest in our history. Due to COVID interruptions, we had to extend the 2021 school year into March of this year. Consequently, the 2022 school year was condensed into March through the end of November. We are happy to report that we covered all the curriculum and our students passed with flying colors. Many thanks to the hard work and dedication of our excellent teachers! In addition, we decided to keep the school open through mid-December to give our students a safe space to play and to ensure they continue to receive two meals a day.

Tapping into the power of creativity

In early education, play is a powerful tool to unleash a child’s creativity and problem-solving skills. Thanks to donations of various art supplies, our students enjoyed learning about eye care as they created colorful glasses. Community pride was reinforced by drawing the Kenyan flag and they designed their own cars. Any art supplies are welcomed by both our students and teachers! 

I love awakening creativity in learners and enabling them to make things on their own.

–Tr. Lillian, Grade 2B

Taking education beyond the school walls

Our Grade 1 students took their very first train ride from Nairobi to Emali, a small town 126 kilometers (about 78 miles) away. They visited a local school and enjoyed playing with other students their age. Then they returned to Nairobi by train and visited an animal orphanage to learn about different wild animals. The experience was a real eye-opener for children who seldom venture outside their neighborhood.

Taking children on educational trips, like to Emali and the Karura Forest has been one of the highlights for me.

–Tr. Justus, Grade 1 A

Out-performing peers in standardized testing

Hands of Love (HOL) joined the Kasarani District Common Assessment Framework so our students could take part in standardized testing against other local schools. The results show our Grade 1 and 2 students exceled in all five areas: Math, English, Kiswahili, Science and Social Studies. Many thanks to the combined effort of students, teachers and parents to achieve these results!

Engaging parents through outreach and home visits 

From family issues and poor living conditions to bad health and food shortages, our kids face many obstacles to learning. In 2022, our teachers were able to resume home visits to assess situations and provide help where needed. Working within their own communities, teachers encourage parents to get involved to reduce absenteeism and identify any obstacles to learning. 

Absenteeism and late arrivals have been two of my biggest challenges.

–Tr. Monica, Pre-Primary 2A

Embracing children with disabilities

In Kariobangi, children with disabilities are excluded at schools because they require more time, patience and special accommodations. But at Hands of Love, we embrace special needs children and happily include them in our classes. In fact, many of our teachers have gone through specific training to learn how to meet their needs.

A friendly youngster named Webster came to HOL after being turned down by two schools. He is a bit hyperactive and sometimes has difficulty sustaining attention., but his teachers have the empathy and patience to work with him.

A young girl, Lutfya, was sick for four years after birth but managed to survive. Since she had a late start, several schools turned her away after realizing she had special needs. Her mother is grateful that HOL is the first school where she feels her daughter is accepted and loved.

At Hands of Love, Webster, Lutfya and others like them will always find a loving place to learn.

Lutfya has made great improvements. She started the year without knowing anything and she now follows routines and communicates well with others.

Tr. Oyath, Pre-primary 2B

Combating a food crisis by growing our own

Food security is a vital part of the HOL mission. We serve each of our 162 students’ breakfast and lunch six days a week to help meet their basic needs. However, food costs are skyrocketing due to an ongoing African drought, COVID disruptions and the Russian war in Ukraine (Kenya depends on imports from both countries). 

“This is a nightmare for us,” states our Director, Sami Maina. “Prices are changing literally every day, making planning almost impossible. 

Since January, HOL food costs are up:

• 70% for wheat and corn

• 60% for rice

• 45% for beef

• 116% for LPG used to cook

• 161% for cooking oil

Our rooftop garden is an outdoor teaching lab with yummy benefits

To combat rising costs and serve as a living lab, Sami created a unique rooftop garden along with chicken coops. Today, we have over 100 potted plants and 45 chickens. “It’s a wonderful learning experience for our students,” notes Sami. After all, it’s safe to say most HOL children have never witnessed the life cycle of a plant from seed through harvest.

“We grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruit including kale, onions, chard, zucchini, cucumber, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, passion fruit, watermelon and pumpkin” Sami continues. Successive planting is used, so as some plants are harvested, new ones are sprouting in other pots to take their place. “In fact, the garden produces enough to meet our vegetable needs for one day a week.”

The best part of the outdoor teaching lab is the impact on our children. Instead of just viewing drawings of plants, they get hands-on experience. The children participate in each step: germinating the seeds, planting, watering and measuring plant growth each week. “The garden has become an integral part of our Hygiene and Nutrition curriculum,” explains Sami. “In fact, we are looking into vertical gardening to allow for further expansion.”

As for the chickens, they’re not only entertaining but also an important source of food. “We get about 20 eggs a day,” said Sami. “This enables us to provide a hardboiled egg to each child about three times a week. We also serve chicken on special occasions, such as graduation celebrations. It’s one of the children’s favorite meals, served with rice or chapati.”  

Expanding teachers’ skills to meet special needs

In January, five of our teachers completed a special needs training course, funded by the US embassy in partnership with Nairobi schools. Our director, Sami, was very involved in the training, which ran for six months. Teachers Tr Monica Njeri, Tr. Justus, Tr. Lucy, Tr. Eric and Tr. Monica Amolo all received their certificates, expanding our ability to accommodate students with disabilities. We are grateful to have been a part of the project and look forward to future community partnerships.

One of my top accomplishments was developing and improvising teaching and learning materials.

Tr. Lucy, Grade 1B

Graduating to a brighter future

For the first time since 2019, 32 students in our Grade 2 class celebrated their graduation with a big community event filled with excitement and love. The event was held in a nearby schoolyard which let us use the space for free. Other organizations provided in-kind donations such as chairs, tents, an emcee and sound system to make it a day to remember.

Our founder, Terry Little was able to attend and reported, “I was moved to tears a few times seeing the joy in the faces of ‘our’ children. It really did make me think a lot about what a positive impact we are able to have with a relatively low cost. And I was so proud of our teachers and staff - not least of all, our director, Sami - who undertake their work with such passion and dedication. 

Losing a beloved colleague

This past year, we suffered the loss of our dear colleague, Mary Mudeisi Odija (seen above in the middle). Mary was not only a vital part of our cleaning team, but also a loving “mother” to all. 

Mary’s infectious smile lit up any room she entered. She loved children and would go out of her way to ensure their wellbeing. If any child was not picked up after school, she would make sure they got home safely. If a child was absent and we were unable to reach their family by phone, she would visit the child’s home to find out what was wrong. If a staff member was absent, she would call to check on them.

Mary also enjoyed cooking and would make the best chapatis and chicken. She always made sure everyone took the time to enjoy a healthy lunch.

We’ll miss you, sweet Mary. May your beautiful smile and loving soul light up the heavens as you rest in peace.

A message from our Director

As we come to the end of 2022 I am grateful to all of you for your support through the years. This year was full of challenges but through your donations and the dedication of our staff we made a big difference in the lives of 164 students and I am proud of the achievement and progress made by our students as shown in this newsletter.  

As the 2023 school year approaches, we are looking forward to the reintroduction of the normality of the past in our school programs after two years of COVID interruptions. This will allow us to provide more opportunities and experiences to fuel our children’s learning and imagining. We will continue to build a rich and meaningful learning environment with connections between home and school, and the community. 

Thank you so much for your support.

Sami Maina, Director

Have questions or ideas? Need more information?

We’d love to hear from you!

Email Terry Little at tlittle_tlittle@yahoo.com.

Help us spread the love!

A donation to Hands of Love goes directly to supporting the children of Kariobangi.

DONATE

Food security is a vital part of the HOL mission. We serve each of our 162 students breakfast and lunch six days a week to help meet their basic needs. However, food costs are skyrocketing due to an ongoing African drought, COVID disruptions and the Russian war in Ukraine (Kenya imports 32% of its wheat from Russia and 94% of its soya from Ukraine).1 

This is a nightmare for us,” states our Director, Sami Maina. “Prices are changing literally every day, making planning almost impossible. Things are so bad that we might have to think of reducing portions or dropping some items from the menu.”

Since January, HOL food costs are up:

• 70% for wheat and corn

• 60% for rice

• 45% for beef

• 116% for LPG used to cook

• 161% for cooking oil

“Not only are the prices high but food items are often out of stock,” explains Sami. “In general, our monthly costs have gone from about $1,100 per month to $1,450. Rising costs are also negatively impacting our families, making it more important than ever that we continue our food program.”

What are we doing about it?

Shopping smarter

Our cooks, Maurine and Carol, go to the local market at 5 a.m. each day to get the best pick of fresh vegetables. Kenya is going through its fourth consecutive year of drought so ingredients like tomatoes, cabbages and potatoes are hard to get. Our staff is also using a network of friends and family from rural areas to buy beans at a lower price.

Expanding our rooftop garden and chicken coops

Under Sami’s creative leadership, our rooftop garden and chicken coops were constructed in June 2020. Today, we have over 100 potted plants and 45 chickens. “It’s a wonderful learning experience for our students,” notes Sami. After all, it’s safe to say most HOL children have never witnessed the life cycle of a plant from seed through harvest. 

“We grow primarily kales, onions and chards, Sami continues. “Last week, we also planted zucchini, cucumber and broccoli.” Successive planting is used, so as some plants are harvested, new ones are sprouting in other pots to take their place.

The best part of the outdoor teaching lab is the impact on our children. Instead of just viewing drawings of plants, they get hands-on experience. The children participate in each step: germinating the seeds, planting, watering and measuring plant growth each week. “The garden has become an integral part of our Hygiene and Nutrition curriculum,” explains Sami. “In fact, we are looking into vertical gardening to allow for further expansion.”

As for the chickens, they’re not only entertaining but also an important source of food. “We get about 20 eggs a day,” said Sami. “This enables us to provide a hardboiled egg to each child about three times a week. We also serve chicken on special occasions, such as graduation celebrations. It’s one of the children’s favorite meals, served with rice or chapati.”

Not to waste anything, the chicken manure is used as an excellent fertilizer for the plants.

Accepting donations

Last month, HOL received a generous donation of $3,600 from our Italian supporters Direttamente Onlus. Sami notes, “That was a big boost to our food program. We were able to purchase some things in bulk which helped to insulate us from rising costs for a bit.”

Would you like to help?

You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking here. Just $50 would cover HOL’s food costs for a day or $350 for a week.

Recently, we posted the impressive test results of our Grade 1 students versus students at other local schools. We are very proud to report that our Grade 2 students also performed well in the Kasarani District Common Assessment Framework standardized tests. 

Teachers, Lilian and Pauline report they had almost perfect attendance among their 39 students, thanks to the close working relationship with parents. The children received a full education despite the shortened school term of just 58 days. Utilizing the wide variety of craft materials donated by our supporters, Lilian and Pauline were able to provide hands-on, innovative and memorable learning experiences. 

The students’ outstanding performance at the end-of-year assessment enabled them to easily advance to the next level. In fact, we are proud to report that all Grade 2 students have moved on from Hands of Love to join nearby schools in Kariobangi. 

Congratulations and best of luck to all!

We know our teachers and students worked diligently throughout the 2021 school year to excel in their studies. Now we have proof their hard work paid off!

In 2022, Hands of Love (HOL) joined the Kasarani District Common Assessment Framework so our students could take part in standardized testing against other local schools. The results show our students exceled in all five areas, thanks to the combined effort of students, teachers and parents during the 2021 academic year.

Grade 1 teacher, Justus explains, “Despite this term being just 58 days, I was able to prepare a guide that resulted in a wonderful teaching and learning experience.” Since HOL offers two more hours of learning versus other schools, teachers were able to cover all the material with time to spare. The extra time enabled teachers to make revisions, incorporate extracurricular activities and provide individualized attention to children with learning disabilities.

Teacher Lucy attributes the success not only to the teachers and students, but to the participation and collaboration with parents. “The cooperation with parents and families was excellent. With the short term, we needed parents to help with assignments and activities and they did not fail. Parents also helped to identify learning gaps which we worked together to cover.” Two out of the 40 students had learning disabilities and Dyslexia. Thanks to the special needs teachers, they both made significant progress.

Congratulations to Justus, Lucy and all the Grade 1 students and their parents. We’re looking forward to seeing your progress in Grade 2!

Hands of Love was founded 15 years ago to address this disparity. Over the years, we have provided high-quality early childhood education and food and basic healthcare to children aged 4 – 8 years. By providing a solid foundation, we set up children who graduate from our school for success in their primary education.

The 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination results show our work's impact on education outcomes for HoL alumni. The performance of 21 alumni who sat for the exam was outstanding. The mean score for the group was 322 points out of a possible 500. The highest performance was 406 points, and the lowest was 271.

Here is a list of the students and how they performed
1) Lewis Muga  - 406
2) Harry Niphery - 389
3) Boniface Wafula - 371
4) Crispine Owuor - 358
5) Clair Anyango - 351
6) Wayne Amsikwa - 340
7) Francis Nderitu - 335
8) Emily Ahono - 330
9) Hamsa Bariso - 324
10) Lilian Awuor - 321
11) Christine Achieng - 315
12) Mary Muthoni - 314
13) Lionel Mola - 305
14) Lakiysha Rose - 304
15) Naomi Mwende - 301
16) Abigail Wanjiku - 297
17) Polet Atieno - 296
18) Georgina Mumbi - 281
19) Jerry Omondi - 280
20) Abubakar Juma - 276
21) Sibil Akinyi - 271

The new school year started in May with, 35 new students admitted into the Pre-Primary 2 class. This is the shortest academic year with only 6 months.

38 students who graduated from Hands of Lover last year have transitioned to Grade 2 in the neighboring schools. We wish our students the best in their studies.

Preprimary 1 was formerly known as nursery class. It accommodates kids at the age of 4-5 years who have graduated from playgroup. The kids in this class are taught number work, language, environmental, creative arts, Christian religious classes, and P.E.

PP1 kids are allowed to learn how to express themselves and they are allowed to present themselves in front of their classmates and teacher.

Tr. Virginia their class teacher gave remarks that the students are well responsive in class and they are all average students and well understanding students. 

The main challenge that she faces as the class teacher is absenteeism and she says they are working on ways to which they can be able to have all their students attend classes on a regular basis.

As such, our school, through our donors and supporters, step in to support the families providing for these needs. This was a Christmas in January for many of the students and their families.

The smiles of the students receiving new clothes reflect our gratitude to our Italian donors and friends.

The majority of the beneficiaries were female teachers who elevated the project's impact on women's empowerment in enhancing inclusive education.

Mr. Sami, the director, played a significant role in the planning, coordination, and implementation of the project. One of the core pillars of our school is providing learning spaces for students with disabilities. This explains our interest in supporting and partnering with the project.

In that regard, 5 of our teachers: Tr Monica Njeri, Tr. Justus, Tr. Lucy, Tr. Eric and Tr. Monica Amolo benefitted from the 6-month training. This increases the number of teachers with basic training in special needs education significantly. We are grateful to have been a part of the project and look forward to future community partnerships.

Tr. Lucy’s journey as a teacher is different since her call to teach came silently and against her dream of nursing. Her aunt persuaded her on taking up a teaching career to the extent of signing her up at a teaching college against her wishes. She completed her college studies but couldn’t find a teaching job and ended up as a traveling saleswoman. The job did not provide enough to stabilize her life so, in 2012, she applied as a teacher at Hands of Love where she got a job.

A career that seemed impossible became her life commitment. Tr. Lucy has been a teacher since then. Through support from the school, she successfully completed further studies in special needs education. Thanks to Hands of Love, she has since stabilized herself. Throughout her teaching career, Tr. Lucy can provide education for her 6-year-old daughter, Hawi, and support her extended family living upcountry.