Kibera and the Soccer Academy

Woke up at 8am after a decent sleep where I felt refreshed for the first time this trip. Steve had prepared some hot water for me to wash with (thank you!) and I got ready for the day. Steve had made me an omelette, with fresh fruit and bread for breakfast. Mike arrived at 9.20am, had breakfast and then helped me to sort out where the gifts I had brought out should go to. We split them into age groups… the biros and pads to Kibera, and colouring crayons, balloons and bubbles etc, the fun stuff, to the two primary schools I was visiting.

We then left for Kibera, the biggest slum in Africa, and second biggest in the world with over 3 million population. The poverty hits you immediately, homes made of corrugated iron slabs with gaps, that could be lifted up and moved. The whole site is a dumping ground for rubbish… it is absolutely everywhere. We drove through to the centre which took about 20 minutes. Most people here earn just 10 shillings or less a day (about 8p). We drove to the centre where Kibera girls soccer academy is situated and waited for the teachers to come and greet us. The soccer academy started 7 years ago just as a soccer team, and then with the contributions from friends and well-wishers they have expanded into a school and soccer academy of about 85 girls. They want to expand to 4 forms but just don’t have the resources. They showed me into the office, a small mud hut style office and their one cupboard of resources. A few text books, two microscopes and some stationary. They explained about the school and the situation of the girls who learn here. They arrive every morning by 6 although lessons do not start until 7.30am. He said this is a clear sign they are desperate to get away from their home situation. The school already feeds the kids at lunch as for most it is the only meal they get and they do not focus properly in class without it. Ideally they would love to turn the school into boarding so that children do not have to go home every night to their horrendous situations, and would not have to walk the three hours there and back, which those living on the outskirts of the slums have to do.

They showed me their 3 small classrooms, with nothing but desks and chairs. It is the only free school in Kibera, which the teachers feel is very important, but everyday they have to turn girls away who come pleading to join because of lack of space and resources. While we were there a girl came carrying a desk and pleading to join form 2. Some girls in the school had told her that if she could provide a desk and chair to sit on she might get in. But they had to turn her away because of lack of space, they were already crammed into tiny rooms. It was heart-breaking to watch, and the teachers felt awful sending her away, you could see the look on their faces.

The lessons run from 7.30 until 4.30, where the soccer players, about 35 walk to the field outside of the slum to train for 2 hours. They are an excellent side, and currently through to the final of a county style championship, and are also known to beat some boys teams! The girls had the day off today because they had their semi final on Saturday but I hope to meet them, watch them study and assist with their football training tomorrow, exciting! Because there were no girls to see I took a walk of the slum with the teachers. It is just full of rubbish. We walked the railway line which is normal, and people just run out of the way when a train comes, madness. I saw a lot, mainly rubbish, run down shacks and people trying to survive and make a living on very little.

The only English that everybody knows is ‘how are you’ or from the very little kids ‘how arroooo’!!! I heard it non-stop the whole time I was out of the car! A man was preparing cows hoofs for his dinner, apparently it is cheap and the bone marrow is tasty…! We walked to the top where I got the best view of most of the slum. The railway literally divides the rich and the poor. On one side the slum, and on the other a very nice golf course where the president often plays! It has to be seen to be believed. In Kenya, you could be living next door to someone rich, but then on the other side someone scraping for their one meal a day, madness.

Storm said I would leave me heart here, I am certainly humbled and emotional from the experience and am looking forward to meeting the girls tomorrow. I met Florence, one of the soccer players who was wearing a lacrosse shirt Storm had donated, she was very sweet. I feel St George’s, the school I teach at could do something small which would make a big difference here. Just £800 would build another classroom.

We left the slum and went to the cyber café before lunch. Much better internet service than Mumias, but still too slow to upload photos. Put blog on and read some of the comments. I was already feeling emotional and shed a few tears! We had a quick bite to eat and then back in the car for Umoja.

We arrived at Peter Kibokosya school at 2pm and went straight in to meet the principal. I presented her with some stationary for the school. She was very pleased and said she would keep it for the new form arriving in September. I was happy with that as was about to meet 200 of them and certainly didn’t have enough for all of them. They led me into a big classroom full of all the girls from the school. They had been waiting in there for over an hour as they anticipated my arrival!

I spoke for 10minutes about myself, and then opened the floor to questions. They were all very shy at first, and the other adults had to walk out of the room before the questions started coming. But when they did, it didn’t stop! Everything from school life in England, to the prime minister, to my favourite music and films. So many questions! They were desperate for me to sing the national anthem, you all know how I sing and I was just not prepared to embarrass myself like that!! So I hummed it and said the words, probably sounded worse!

I then went into a classroom to see them working and it also gave the boys an opportunity to ask any questions they had. These were mainly football related so I did my best! Storm said I would be amazed to see how they work silently without a teacher in the room. It was not the case this time. They had just finished exams and so had nothing to do and were very chatty and loud!
The last job of the day was to go and visit one of the soccer academy boys for his hospital appointment. He was attempting a bicycle kick at training on Sunday and landed on his arm, snapping both the fibia and tibia in two. The boys thought it was a dislocation of the wrist so in trying to put it back they had done even more damage. He had been in a lot of pain but seemed settled now and was having an x-ray to check the bones are in the correct place under the cast so to heal correctly. He was very sweet.

We then said goodbye to Steve and Milka as I wont see them again. Milka gave me a gift. She had a bracelet with my name and the Kenyan flag on it made for me, so sweet, as well as a couple of other bits. She is so awesome, I will miss her a lot.

Back to Maria’s and James’ house. I can relax here now as I don’t have to move all of my stuff again. I arrived and immediately felt at home. They are a very kind and generous family. I gave Alvin and Esther some presents which they were very chuffed with and also a pack of playing cards and a box of cadbury’s Roses! This set the evening up. After dinner we played an African game with the cards which was very funny. We lost hours playing and munching the chocs. I felt I bonded with the family that night. Nice.