What if your only hope for a better life lies in the education of your children? And what if the success of these very children is dependent on the affordability of quality education? Such is the life of 36 year- old Peter Nyakundi, a father of five who lives at the heart of Mukuru Kwa Reuben slums, a low-cost informal settlement with a population of over just over 100,000 people.
With over a million children out of school and thousands of them in school but not learning, Kenyans living in underprivileged areas have an uphill task in their quest to access quality education, a fate that is close to the heart of Peter. His two children are in high school with two others schooling at Bridge while the fifth is yet to join the school.It has been a bumpy ride for Peter who migrated to Nairobi in 2007 from his rural home in Kisii County together with his family in search of greener pastures. And as fate would have it, he settled at the Mukuru Kwa Reuben slums, an area that is inhabited by people who are casual workers.
The reality was to strike with the cost of educating his children, who he considers his most valued asset proving a herculean task. He opted to have them enroll at a local public primary school where the quality of education was highly compromised.But lady luck was to come knocking in the form of Bridge academies with the school opening a branch at the informal settlement in 2009. He was among the first parents to register their children at Bridge Academy, Mkuru Kwa Reuben.
“The opening of the school could not have come at a better time. The education was too affordable even for those of us living in the slums.” He says.His choice appears to have paid dividends in 2016 after his first-born daughter Mercy Mokeira scored 374 marks in the Kenya certificate of primary education examinations which helped her earn a chance to join Sironga girls, a National School located in Siaya County. His two children at the school have continued to post remarkable results and are always among the best performers in their respective classes.
Peter who works at Ndovu maize millers in Nairobi’s industrial area remains upbeat that Bridge is on course to help his children realize their goals and in turn help turn his fortunes. “I took a gamble informed by the low cost of education at Bridge, but the bold move has proved a masterstroke with my children’s’ academics improving greatly. I am really proud being a parent at Bridge schools.
” Peter observes. His daughter Mercy Mokeira, now a form two student at Sironga Girls National School cannot thank her teachers enough for their efforts in shaping her to be the person she is today. “It was truly a memorable time at the school; teachers gave their all to ensure that I understood everything they taught. They were never annoyed with me when I went to them for assistance. Bridge has made my dreams of becoming a doctor closer to reality.” she says.
For peter Nyakundi, his eight-year journey as a parent at Bridge Academy, Mkuru Kwa Reuben he says is nostalgic. “I am a proud Bridge parent as it offers quality and affordable education to our children.” He says.
Peter is one of the many parents at Bridge who believes in the core mission of Bridge international of providing quality and affordable education to children and is optimistic that the success of his children through a decent education will have ripple effects on his life. In Kenya, it is compulsory for every child to get access to quality education, a goal that is in line with the sustainable development goal number four that seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.