The Ask Program

AIESEC USIU

AIESEC is an exchange organization connected to United States International University (USIU). They provide a workspace for trainees coming from other countries around the world. This university organization has partnered with Tagice by availing knowledge and skills to the school. The AIESEC trainees will be part of the steering committee, and more specifically those connected with the ASK Program. The ASK Program (Answers, Solutions, and Knowledge) deals with HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in schools and youth groups around the globe.

The ASK- Program

The pupils found in the slum community of Marurui are exposed to social vices like sexual promiscuity and drug abuse. The parents are disadvantaged in terms of employment and often education. Most of the parents are illiterate so their chance of securing a well paying job is very low. Most fathers in the community work as night watchman at neighboring estates of Zimmerman, Thome and Garden Estate. Most young women in the community engage in the commercial sex trade as a way of providing for their livelihood. The children raised in this community follow suit with their parents and grow up leading similar lives. These young ones involve themselves in sex relationships during the early teenage years. This undeniably exposes them to all the sexually transmitted diseases, as well as teenage pregnancy. If the attitudes of these youth are to change, there needs to be a platform for enlightening them on issues about their own sexuality, HIV/AIDS, and related topics.

- General health (body systems, sexual organs)

- Interpersonal relationship (family, friends, teachers)

- Making decisions (ethics, morals, right/wrong)

- Stereotypes (develop non-discriminatory attitudes)

- Honesty (develop desire to communicate truthfully)

- Identity (understand unique individual qualities)

- Diversity (cultural, national, social, racial)

Tagice Information

Introduction of Tagice Academy

Tagice Academy is a community based organization (CBO). It is located in the sprawling Marurui slums, Roysambu location of Kasarani division. The CBO was incepted in 2002 by a group of women from the area. They realized that the children who really needed the attention and support to maintain their education often got lost in the congested classrooms of the public schools and dropped out of schools. They Tagice women founded a school for those children and called it Tagice Academy. The children were from needy families, children living on the street and others who were living with foster parents. Tagice women brought them together in the Tagice Academy and showed them love, care and support. The school started with twenty children but the number has increased up to one hundred and twenty children and the school gets requests of admitting more children every single day.

Tagice’s VISION

To offer affordable quality education, imply self discipline and encourage school retention for the well being of the less fortunate children within Mararui slums.

Tagice’s mission

To avail skills, knowledge and information to the teachers, pupils and parents that will build a strong hold for equal participation and commitment in educational growth.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

§ To build our own school buildings.

§ To make parental guidebooks.

§ Establish more programs and school clubs to teach different skills.

§ Build up a network with other schools to elevate the quality of the education.

§ To enhance academic performance within Marurui community.

Tagice Academy wants to create future leaders of Mararui whom can inspire villagers to develop the community.

-Svava Ulfarsdottir, member of Tagice

The financial support of the school.

The parents of some children contribute 400 ksh per month because they prefer their children to go to Tagice Academy rather than public schools. Therefore the school is able to give the teachers a little token of appreciation around 3000 ksh per month and provide free education to the orphans and other needy children in the school. The school has also received two donations from 2003. World Vision Kahawa A.D.P. contributed 40 small plastic chairs in the year 2004, in December 2005 P.C.E.A. gateway church donated food for the orphans worthy 3000 ksh and in September 2007 Tagice received a donation from well-wishers from Iceland worthy a whole year of renting an office for the school. Other donations come from the eight women of Tagice.