Education

1.1.1        Vocational training

 Vocational training courses are meant to impart practical skills to the youth leading to wage or self employment. In this area, secretarial and tailoring courses were closed down in 2005 due low registration of students. Equally, the welding course was scrapped in 2006 due low demand and is in the process of being transformed into a production unit. A beauty school is in the process of being started and the computer school is successfully running. Additional courses will be started during the planned period based on the needs of the youth.

1.1.2        Bishop Kitonga Academy

 Bishop Kitonga Academy is a primary school in the church compound and the first group will graduate this year. Its objective is to offer quality education to the local communities. Some children in the school are from the sponsorship program whose parents /guardians are willing to top up the fee over the sponsored amount. This school ensures the poor access quality education and is relevant since the quality of education in many private and government schools in the informal settlements is not of high quality as a result; the children are unable to realise their dreams.  

1.2  Key achievements

RGDP enjoys goodwill from the people of Mathare, Korogoco and Huruma. Interviews with the residents revealed that, they have overwhelming confidence with the Programme and the church. Hence, the contributions and impact of RGDP to these areas is immeasurable and the following achievements are only highlights: 

Programming

a)      The programme has supported over 2000 children and youth with education, basic needs and psychosocial support. Some of the beneficiaries have attained higher education (college and university) and are gainfully employed while some are in businesses. They constitute a pool of human resource for the country and have also transformed the lives of their families and the society.

b)      By recruiting needy children and youth and rehabilitating those on the streets and roaming in the slums, security situation has gradually been improving as attested by the residents. In addition, children and youth on the programme are change agents and strong advocates of antisocial behaviours to their families and peers leading to positive behaviour change.  

c)      Several parents/guardians of the children and youth have transformed their social life though education and guidance by programme staff and have started income generating activities. 

d)      Through support from the nutritional kitchens, the health condition of many children who would otherwise have died has been reversed giving them hope to live and become productive adults

e)      Many people especially women infected by HIV/AIDS have regained their hope and determination to live through home-based care, counselling, PLWAs group formation for therapy and sharing and economic support by starting IGAs. In addition, stigma has reduced as  many people are declaring their status and children are being born free of AIDS due to PMTCT services  offered at Korogoco Clinic and counselling by social workers

f)        A pool of community resource persons has been formed through training of community health workers who provide knowledge and skills to the communities  

g)      Children from the slums are receiving quality education through Bishop Kitonga academy enabling them to compete fairly well with other endowed children

Institutional achievements

h)      The institutional framework of RGDP has evolved over the years and has provided opportunity for all the staff to channel their energies and talents.

i)        RGDP has over the years proved to be accountable and transparent in managing funds entrusted by donor partners and individuals. Consequently,  there is good relationship will all donors and the church

j)        Collaboration and networking with other organisations has been effective such as KENWA, Blue house and  Oscar Foundation among others

1.3  Key lessons learnt

Through programs implementations and sharing with the beneficiaries and likeminded organisations, the following are lessons derived. 

1. Access to education has the best potential to improve the living standards of the entire family and a country but require heavy investment while results take long to be realized. Additional funding is required for this project 
2. The children and the youth work extra hard if they are guaranteed of full education support. The Leadership Development Program which is supporting the youth up to universities and other colleges has greatly motivated the children to work hard.
3. Program’s sustainability should be given attention right from program design  planning and implementation  
4. There are high prospects of RGDP to gradually sustain some programme activities through internally generated funds if additional investments are ploughed into the existing projects and new projects started
5. Continuous documentation of programme history and case studies is essential for learning 
6. There is need to continuously share the vision, mission  core values and strategic goals with all stakeholders so as to enhance teamwork and foster common identity

1.4   Challenges

The programme continues to face the following challenges

1. Inadequate funds to meet overwhelming needs of the community.

      ii.            Most of the programs wholly rely on donor funding hence their sustainability is precarious

3. Use of different formats for reporting from various donors that limits the use of institutionalised  reporting and monitoring systems
4. Management of many fragmented projects supported by different donors is challenging.
5. Retention of highly trained and  educated staff has been a challenge