THE SLUM PAVILION

The Hamlets Kibera Primary, classes on session.

In the heart of Katwekera Village, Kibera, amidst rows and rows of mud houses, stands a unique magnificent structure: the brightly lit Hamlets Kibera Primary school founded by Kibera Hamlets (KH), an informal organization that serves more than 2500 youths, aged between 7-26 years 60% being orphans and 20 % being HIV/AIDS positive, is a beacon of hope for many vulnerable children. 

According to a 2006 report by the University of Nairobi, in Kenya, there are approximately 1.78 million orphans. In a situation where 56.1% of the foster care providers live below the poverty line, there is evidence that they do not have adequate and reliable income which can provide the needs of the orphaned children on a regular and sustainable basis. With this in mind, John Adoli started the school in 2004 to cater to vulnerable children and orphans, the school, fully run by volunteers. However, in 2012 the school that was initially made of iron sheet, burnt down due to illegal power connections.

“This was a difficult period for us. We would study under the sun and had to transfer some students to schools around here, which meant we needed money that we did not have to pay for their school fees. I knew I had to get help”, says John the Director of Hamlets Kibera Primary School.

At that time John had established a great friendship with José Selgas, an architect with Second Home, and had made it clear that he needed help to build a new school. Iwan Baan, a Dutch photographer who had previously visited the school and saw there was no drainage, toilets, electricity, or adequate roof to keep out the frequent rain introduced them to each other. Second Home is a business based in London that tries to help people create new jobs as well as assist charities.“There was a very unique connection between the headmaster and our architect. John at that time was trying to raise money to help build a school in Kibera, so we decided to get fully involved in the project,” says Robin, the co-director of Second Home. 

The Kibera project was initially designed and funded by the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, which wanted a pavilion for an African art exhibition. But after taking measurements from the area where Kibera school had been built, architects Selgas and Cano then cleverly designed the structure with Kibera Hamlets primary in mind with help from architecture studio Helloeverything and AbdulFatah Adam.

“The pavilion was pitched in the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen for a couple of months and was used as a gallery for people to understand and have a connection with Africa”. Robin says.

Second home later paid for the gallery to be taken down and shipped for the final construction in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. The new school arrived in Kenya in 2016, led by SelgasCano and incorporating a team of 14 youths from Kibera who had to be trained first to build up the school in about 3 months. The two-storey school is more stable now; there is running water, and electricity from a legal source. “This is a very unique structure; there is sufficient light so we don't have to use electricity, the kids can breathe fresh air because of the high air circulation and it is also made out of scaffolding material that is fire retardant. So, in case of any fire it will need very minimal damage”, John says.

Currently, the school serves over 150 students, all of who are orphaned or come from vulnerable backgrounds. There was so much interference when the school was set because of its openness.  The residents would stand or walk around looking at the structure, which made it hard for pupils to concentrate, but now everyone has gotten used to it.

"Initially when the pavilion was set up there was so much excitement. It was a beauty to behold especially at night, an unforgettable landmark in Kibera. It was very difficult for students to settle and listen to their teacher", says John.

John says that the quality of education has improved tremendously because of different volunteer teachers who are experts in different fields. “This is good for our students in terms of professionalism, career path, and changing the way they look at their lives. Volunteers choose which activities to participate in: either teaching primary school in the morning and coach drama and dance in the evenings. You can volunteer for a week or a period of a month depending on your schedule.” He adds.

Linah, a student at the University of Nairobi, volunteers as a teacher at the Hamlets Kibera Primary School from 2.00 pm every day. According to her, it's very unfair that these students with even scarce learning materials have a lack of teachers. “From the moment I read about this school, I knew I wanted to make a change. I wanted the children at Hamlet to have a fair chance in education, just like the rest of the students in Kenya”, says Linah.

A volunteer teacher at Hamlets Kibera Primary checking assignments. 

According to Robin, they continue to walk with the school by raising money each year to help in paying for the books and the general upkeep. “This is a long-term relationship and a very important one”. He says.

The constant support from guardians of the vulnerable children and the community has ensured the success of this project. The students also contribute by taking part in activities like arts, beadwork, and acrobats that earn the school money for books and other materials.

“Actually I am not doing much considering other people sponsor these children to the highest education they need. I know what it is like to have your education sponsored by the community and well-wishers, that is how I oversee this project. I want to transform as many orphaned children as I can. I want them to know there is a future. I also want to ensure a long-term sustainable proper management for this project, even when I am gone this school must go on”, added John.