Miale Social Development Programmes

social development programme from JohariFoundation on Vimeo.

Miale, which means ‘sun rays’ in Swahili, is the name of the social development programmes dedicated to giving vulnerable children in Kenya the opportunity to go beyond ‘just surviving’. We believe that every child has a right to a secure family environment and access to education. By satisfying these basic needs children can develop their talents, self-belief and potential, achieving a brighter more secure future.

Established in the city slum of Kibera, Nairobi in 2006, ‘Miale Child Support (CSP) was the first of the Miale Programmes. The Outreach Programme followed in 2009 and covers the outlying region of Kandara in cental Kenya.

Miale aims to help and support children who face a life of child prostitution, drug abuse and drug trafficking to rise out of poverty and take charge of their lives.

In Kenya a team of qualified social workers work closely with schools in Kibera and Kandara to identify the children most in need of our support. Home visits and close communication with the children and guardians are necessary to gain an understanding of the situation and requirements. There are currently 132 children over 4 schools in Miale CSP and 80 children in 9 different schools in Miale Outreach. Miale Programmes pay for tuition fees, exams and registration of the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Standard 8 exam. The children receive a school uniform and lunch and are also given monthly and weekly food essentials to ensure that the children are fed at home. This food is often shared by the whole family. There are regular counseling sessions with the children and their guardians to check on the structure and relationship. Peer group discussions help the children to get to know each other through sharing stories and learning to respect each other. Out of school activities include a library and the children are encouraged to take part in fun activities through the Kids Joy Programme. Here they are trained to play professional football and other games which helps them to develop socially as well as academically.

Miale Scholarships are available to those primary school children who attain the best grades in Class 8. The programme enables them to join the Secondary schools in their area and pays school fees, provides school uniform, food, etc. For the children with lower marks they have access to vocational training where they can acquire new skills of their own choice. There are currently 36 children in secondary school and 4 undertaking vocational training.

The Miale Apprenticeship Programme helps the children who after Primary or Secondary education have a specific interest in fashion and design. On completion of their vocational training they can join Johari Designs to further develop their skills and either take up a position there or move to a place of their own choice.

The success of Miale is evident in the improvements in school performance, health and hygiene and the children are more confident with improved self esteem. The progress of the children can be followed by reading the blogs on the Miale Programmes in our 'Latest News' section.