{"id":17519,"date":"2018-01-11T13:31:56","date_gmt":"2018-01-11T12:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.geredgereedschap.nl\/new\/?page_id=17519"},"modified":"2022-05-20T09:50:53","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T07:50:53","slug":"st-theresa-kenya","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.geredgereedschap.nl\/en\/our-results\/st-theresa-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Theresa Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cST. THERESA: GROWING NUMBER OF STUDENTS THANKS TO THE TOOLS.”<\/h1>\n

The St Theresa Youth Polytechnic School is located in an out-of-the-way place on a small piece of land in the village of Musoli, in the Kenyan province Kakamega. The school is home to hundreds of school leavers. \u201cThis has been a life saver for hundreds of young school leavers for a couple of years now”, says Caroline Khamenei (Director). “We opened our doors to boys as well as girls with little future perspectives because, for whatever reason, they dropped out of school.”<\/h4>\n<\/div>
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Strong increase amount of students<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After a modest start, St Theresa can now take pride in having about 300 students. “We have seen a fast increase in the number of students since we received the new tools and machines from Gered Gereedschap. The quality of education has improved because, unlike in the past, every student can now use his or her own machine.”<\/p>\n

“Last year around this time we only had a few students, simply because we didn’t have the capacity to accommodate more at the same time. We had such a small amount of tools! Things have changed now,” adds Musa Lusiola, head Carpentry He believes the tools and machines offer the students much more opportunity to increase their knowledge and to develop their skills.<\/p>\n

“A St Theresa student now has better chances to a job at an existing company than someone from another school.\u201d Another positive result is the fact that more than 88% of the second- year students has been accepted for apprenticeships. This was less than 30% in 2015.<\/p>\n

Centre for early school leavers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Kenyan Ministry of Education estimates that over 38,000 students who started their secondary education in 2011, did not take their final exams last year. Last year, half of the 16,800 students admitted to governmental secondary school never showed up.\u00a0\u00a0“Early school leavers are \"\"very common in Kakamega and because of increasing cost of living most parents are not able to afford secondary education for their children anymore.”, says Caroline. “Our type of education is a last chance for thousands of children that are outside the formal education process.”\u00a0St Theresa offers these children an informal practical education that allows them to earn their own income. Trainings provided are amongst others; Welding, Tailoring & Dressmaking, Carpentry and ICT.<\/p>\n

Tools reduce education costs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The school management is convinced that the tools from Gered Gereedschap have drastically reduced education costs for students from low income families. Before, students had to buy tools and accessories like needles, thread, measuring tape and seam ripper themselves. “We now have enough of them and that’s a welcome relief for the students”, according to Benedine Muhati, head of Tailoring & Dressmaking.<\/p>\n

Future plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"“Although we now have the most modern equipment compared to other institutes around us, our students still need to register for exams. They are still obliged to travel to accredited institutes to take their exams there.”, says Caroline. “Given that most students come from families whose income is less than 1$ per day, you’ll understand that paying for exams and additional costs is a major challenge.\u201d The school management is working on plans to allow students to take these exams at their own school to stop them from having to travel for miles.<\/p>\n

Despite all challenges, St Theresa is becoming a force to be reckoned with.\u00a0“Not everything is possible for us. M\u00f3re than everything is possible!” jokes twenty-year-old student Isaac Robin, who promises to become the best car mechanic in the province.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED?<\/h4>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 Quality practical training for 300 young students<\/p>\n

OTHER DETAILS<\/h4>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Musoli, Kenya
\n\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Education
\n\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Tools and machines for vocational training
\n\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Type of trade: automotive engineering, woodworking, tailoring, metalworking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>

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PERSONAL STORIES<\/h2>\n<\/div>

They benefited from our support.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\nMarlene Khavetsa
\n<\/strong>Tailoring student<\/p>\n

“During the short period that I have been at this school I have learned all I need to know. Mainly because of the modern machines we received from Gereedschap.”<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\nBrian Kigen
\n<\/strong>Carpentry student<\/p>\n

“In the beginning I was only able to do a few jobs per day, but a lot has changed since then. Last month I made crutches, a sofa, a dining table and a bed… this was not possible before.”<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\nSebastian Shikuyu
\n<\/strong>Teacher \/ head Motor Vehicle Mechanics<\/p>\n

‘40% more students since the support of Gered Gereedschap!’<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\nModesdar Shimwacha
\n<\/strong>Tailoring student<\/p>\n

“I am married and have four children. Since I started training at St Theresa I have been able to contribute to supporting my family too by selling the cloths I design and make by myself.”<\/p>\n<\/div>

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PHOTOS<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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