Ark School

Ark School is a Christian-based school located in the heart of Kariobangi slum. This is one of the poorest and most challenging areas in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. Many families in Kariobangi belong to the Borana tribe from northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The environment of the school is 85% Muslim. Therefore, most of the students are also from Muslim families. Ark School offers different opportunities for further education. In different learning areas, children, young people and adults are given new perspectives for the future. For example, Ark School offers schooling from preschool to sixth grade, junior high school seventh to ninth grade, adult education with a focus on literacy courses, sewing courses to empower girls and women, and computer courses that provide basic IT skills for all ages. In a new work area, school desks and other recycled products are produced from plastic waste.

We provide students with a basic education and a sanctuary where they experience light and hope.

Our fields of work

Holistic approach

Ark School is located in the heart of Kariobangi slum, one of the poorest and most challenging areas in Nairobi. Many families in Kariobangi belong to the Borana tribe from northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The Borana have a narrow social system and destructive traditions, such as forced teenage marriage and ritual genital mutilation of girls.

Lack of prospects and criminality determine the daily lives of the children and young people, who have little hope for a better future.

Supply

Many Ark School students are orphans and live hand-to-mouth. Others grow up with single parents who struggle to provide for their children.

Covid and the global food crisis have cut off the income of most people in the slums. Since 2020, Ark School has provided regular food to thousands in its community.

As a long-term aid, a micro-credit program was started to help people rebuild their own livelihoods.

Prevention

Domestic and sexual violence are a major problem in the school environment. To counteract this, Ark School has started an intensive program to sensitize teachers, students and local leaders to the issue and to work preventively. The goal is to change cultural and traditional norms and end sexual violence.

Ark School aims to bring light to the lives of children and parents and change to the lives of the people of Kariobangi.