EDUCATION
Their education takes place at their Secondary Schools, Colleges, Polytechnics or Universities. However, FDC does help with holiday tuition which is a particular help in the run up to KCSE for the Form 4s, but students from all stages are encouraged to join, and we have found that this boosts their Maths grades, in particular. Holiday tuition takes place at Mahali Pa Watoto School.
TRAINING FOR KCSE LEAVERS
Our students join us, mostly in Form 1, going in to the Secondary School which they have received an offer from, on the basis of their KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) results. FDC then supports them with their school fees, personal effects and medical costs and for those in tertiary education, their accommodation in safe hostels. Our social worker, Catherine, monitors their progress throughout the term and each holiday the students report back to our office for report reading - where Catherine is usually joined by one or two members of the Committee or sometimes an older student, as pictured below. The student's parent or guardian joins this meeting in order to be kept 'in the loop' and to encourage their participation in their child's education and social well-being.
Their education takes place at their Secondary Schools, Colleges, Polytechnics or Universities. However, FDC does help with holiday tuition which is a particular help in the run up to KCSE for the Form 4s, but students from all stages are encouraged to join, and we have found that this boosts their Maths grades, in particular. Holiday tuition takes place at Mahali Pa Watoto School.
Since 2010 FDC has offered a course in good communication skills to its KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) leavers, entitled: "Making the Most of Myself". The course covers CV and letter writing skills; presentation skills; emails; text messaging; time management; good etiquette; social media; and a small section on financial planning. In 2016 we added a further section on the dangers of radicalisation and crime as they enter tertiary education.
Much of the course concentrates on role-playing and working in pairs or small groups, to instill self-confidence into students who will now need to prepare and make appointments for interviews, 'sell themselves' at the interview itself and then go out into the world of further education or work, confident of their abilities and consistent in their presentation!
The role-playing is definitely a hit with the students and here they learn the most through the feedback of the rest of the class - as each individual, pair or small group presents a piece of work and then receives constructive criticism from his/her or their peers!
The course is conducted in a relaxed atmosphere at Mahali Pa Watoto School and this brings out the best in everyone! Students who start the week a little timid or reserved are soon encouraged to project their voices, attract and hold everyone's attention and their interpretation of the set tasks can be so imaginative and inventive that we all end up learning something new and different - sometimes relating to culture, age or upbringing!
Time management has always been a challenge - but the concept of 'African time' is slowly being replaced by the importance of punctuality and those who turn up late for the course find themselves performing an extra task or two! The adage "Fail to plan, plan to fail" reverberates around the classroom when rather lame excuses are presented to explain their lateness!
It is sad to think that there is now a need to counsel our students on the dangers of radicalisation and crime but they are at a particularly vulnerable age - short of money and always ready to embrace new opportunities - some of which are definitely not the safest. Dagoretti, where most come from, has been an area where recruitment by IS and Al Shabaab is well documented so our students are fortunate that they have us to advise them and keep them safe from the wrong approaches.
It is sad to think that there is now a need to counsel our students on the dangers of radicalisation and crime but they are at a particularly vulnerable age - short of money and always ready to embrace new opportunities - some of which are definitely not the safest. Dagoretti, where most come from, has been an area where recruitment by IS and Al Shabaab is well documented so our students are fortunate that they have us to advise them and keep them safe from the wrong approaches.
At the end of the course the students all keep their training document and receive a certificate.
Recently, we have also introduced an afternoon programme, organised by Catherine Gachui (FDC social worker - pictured above right) where the students can receive careers advice or counselling and learn a skill. This has been well received and we hope to extend the range of activities on offer next time round.
The course is conducted by Louise Roest - Secretary of FDC, who has a background in PR and Marketing.
Photos from our most recent training course - March 2016 and below that from May 2015
March 2016:
May 2015:
Photos from our most recent training course - March 2016 and below that from May 2015
March 2016:
May 2015:
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