tumaini trust
TRANSCRIPT
TUMAINI TRUST
TUMAINI TRUST
Tumaini Scholarship – the initial program of Tumaini Trust, was founded in 2014 by
Talitha Puri Negri, as a result of her personal life experience.
From 2009, once a year, Talitha travelled to
Nairobi to teach as a volunteer in a local Scho-
ol, located in the slum of Korogocho; one of the
many shanty towns, which border the city center.
Talitha now lives permanently in Kenya, to per-
sonally manage the trust.
THE AIM OF THE PROJECT, IS TO ALLOW A LARGER
NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO ACCESS SECONDARY AND TER-
TIARY EDUCATION, EVEN THOUGH THEIR PARENTS ARE
UNABLE TO SUSTAIN THEIR SCHOOL FEES.
Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, with a population including the suburbs of approxi-
mately 6.5 million people, it is the 14th largest city of the African Continent. All
around the center slums have developed, with a population of 2.5 million people.
There are roughly 36 known shantytowns; Korogocho, which means confusion, is located
in the east part of the city. With its 180 000 inhabitants, it is the third largest
slum in Nairobi, it is internally divided in “villages” according to the ethnicity.
The living conditions are drastic; the largest open-air dumpsite, Dandora, is located
near the inhabited area. Houses built with discarded or recycled material, as mud and
iron sheets, are still largely diffused and lack primary amenities, as electricity and
running water. The hygienic and sanitary situation, due to the absence of a sewage
system, is also critical with an infant mortality of 81,2 children every 1000 and an
elevated diffusion of HIV.
NAIROBI
Tumaini Scholarship, in the last 7 years, has sponsored 153 children from the four
schools it is currently collaborating with: Grapesyard, Maranatha, Starlight and St.
John. 97 are still in the program: 4 are attending Primary, 52 Secondary and 41 Uni-
versity.
To access secondary education the Kenyan government required, until 2018, a total of 250
points and above out of 500, in the final KCPE exam. Every subject: English, Kiswahili,
Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, is marked out of a 100; the 250 obligatory
points imply that a mean sufficiency was reached.
Tumaini Scholarship for the last four years, has sponsored students who have obtained
350 points and above.
REQUIREMENTS
TUMAINI SCHOLARSHIP
STUDENTS LIVING CONDITION
Houses with
no running water
nor electricity
connection
/ 19%
Single room
houses
/ 36%
Houses with
two or more
rooms
/ 64%
Houses with
running water and
electricity connection
/ 81%
The 52 secondary students have been inserted in government schools, in Nairobi’s sur-
rounding counties. In the city, schools with a good academic level, have a social envi-
ronment in sharp contrast to the socio-economic background of the scholars. Moreover,
most of the students are originally from these areas; they have subsequently moved to
Nairobi with their guardians, in search of better and more remunerative jobs.
The scholars have been located in a restricted number of schools; not only to simplify
the management of the scholarship program but also to help them with the difficulties,
brought by this radical change of life. The schools have been chosen by Tumaini staff,
according to their county classification. The latter, is calculated on the basis of the
academic level of the students after the four years of secondary education and their
consequent admission to university.
The 41 senior scholars, have instead, joined the tertiary courses of their choices,
after a previous consultation with the scholarship staff. Unfortunately, the universities
are chosen by the ministry of education, according to the student’s final secondary grade
and the selected courses.
FUNCTIONING/CRITERIA
TUMAINI SCHOLARSHIP
The school year is divided in three semesters of three months each; during the term
breaks the students are requested to meet with Tumaini’s Staff:
• DIRECTOR – Talitha Puri Negri - former volunteer and teacher for seven years in
Grapesyard School and founder of Tumaini Trust, which incorporates the scholarship.
Currently on the board of a National Kenyan School.
• COORDINATOR / CONSULTANT – Edgar Pamba – former head teacher of Grapesyard School;
now in charge of the secondary sponsored students.
• COORDINATOR / CONSULTANT – Edmond Pamba – former collaborator in a research
and policy Think Tank; now in charge of the university sponsored students.
• SOCIAL WORKER – Janny Marangu – Professional social worker, who also,
collaborates with the neighboring schools.
Tumaini staff evaluates the report and counsels each student, dealing with the schola-
stic problems and difficulties encountered. To remain within the scholarship program,
the scholars are required to obtain a minimum of C+ as a final mark, the grades range from
A to E – C is sufficiency. However, if a C+ is not attained, before a student is drop-
ped, all is done by Tumaini Staff to ensure a better performance is obtained. The aim
is in fact, is to incline the education level and the development of the community they
come from.
FUNCTIONING / CRITERIA
FUNCTIONING / CRITERIA
The aim is to teach the scholars, through various activities,
the importance of giving back to the community and with the edu-
cation provided, incline their exposure and broaden their views.
During the suspension of lessons, the students have to participate to a Mentorship Pro-
gram, which is characterized by the following activities:
• Volunteer project
• Visits to universities and other organizations
• Life skill course
• Motivational speeches
• Sport activities
• Study sessions
A register certifies their presence, as the latter should provide the pupils with the
right instruments, to understand the changes they are experien-
cing, the society they live in and consequently, improve their
performance.
The students part of the scholarship
program, are granted the opportunity
to join university. The request of
a C+ as a final mark, implies a go-
vernmental funding with a consequent
reduction of the yearly fees, thus
preventing an increase in the pro-ca-
pita sponsorship. The possibility to
access a technical college, may be
offered to those who have attained a C
and fulfill the requirements imposed
by the trust.
FUNCTIONING / CRITERIA
The university year is divided into two semesters and in each, the students are expected
to carry out 100 hours of Creative, Active, Service (CAS). Their involvement is super-
vised through evaluation forms.
A program consisting of:
• Volunteering in neighboring schools
• Clean up week of the surrounding environment
• Initial internship in the eight months in between secondary school and university.
In total 41 scholars are currently in university. The trust’s final goal, once the pupils
have completed their tertiary education, is to organize attachments and enable them to
maintain themselves and their families. Consequently, raising the living standards of
the community, they come from.
FUNCTIONING / CRITERIA
The trust’s objective is to also have a positive impact on the surrounding environment
through community-based activities.
Currently the following programs have been established:
• Music Festival & Football Tournament – with the four neighboring schools
the trust collaborates with: Grapesyard, Maranatha, Starlight and St John.
• St John School – Yearly donation to cater for the medical expenses
of the street children that they take care of, through Napenda Kuishi Trust.
• Starlight School – Offer professional training and support to take
their choir, to compete at a National level with other schools.
• Community Support – The trust’s social worker, offers her advice and counselling
to Starlight and Maranatha school, as they lack social support.
Moreover, through her Community Based Organization: “Slum Girls”
we help her in distributing sanitary pads to the neighboring schools.
TUMAINI TRUST FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
Director / Founder
Talitha Puri Negri
Mobile: +254/ 723 485 815
Mobile: +39/ 339 335492
Coordinator / Consultant
Edgar Pamba
Mobile: +254/ 721 868 518
Coordinator / Consultant
Edmond Pamba
Mobile: +254/ 701 480 538
CONTACTS