Makindu Vocational Program

Makindu Vocational Program is a charitable non-profit organization, a U.S. based funding source for the building and operations of the Makindu Advanced Training College for adolescent girls and boys in Eastern Kenya

 

 

 

Sandy Bonds and Joseph Gilg Visit MVP Makindu Campus

My name is Sandy Bonds and I am a member of the Board of Directors for Makindu Vocational Program. I joined this dynamic group as I was impressed by their instigation and management of the Makindu Advanced Training College. As a now retired costume designer, I had been seeking opportunities to support women from developing nations in the trade of patterning-making and sewing and was delighted to find home in this organization.

My husband, Joseph Gilg, and I recently traveled to Kenya to volunteer on the Makindu campus for two weeks and to observe how the program was structured to imagine where we might be of use. I spent the school days in the second-year classroom assisting Dorcas, the lead teacher, with student projects.

Each of these students is required to build two school uniforms for the incoming class. Once that assignment is completed, then they may work on their own projects. I had brought two suitcases of sewing notions, fabrics, and books.  Some of the fabric, notions, etc., were donated by MVP supporters, thank you!

Dorcas selected some of those fabrics and matched them with patterns for projects for us to coach the students in constructing together. In addition, the new assembly room needed curtains for slide presentations, and Dorcas wanted the students to make bags for our annual fundraising event in Eugene.

Joseph joined the carpentry team to work on making bookcases for the new faculty offices in the assembly room building and a fence around the soccer field.

He also had a project with a local elementary school to coach the students in a play.

We were both impressed with the cordial welcomes we received, and the friendly and outgoing nature of all the faculty and staff at this school.

Tom Mwanzia, the Principal, told me now that the students have support from sponsors, they are all able to complete their on-campus training, a three-month attachment internship, and pass their certification exams.

All their graduates are employed, a remarkable accomplishment for any school. We were pleased with the operations of the school and were happy to have been able to make our contribution to their ongoing success.

 

 

 

 

 

      January, 2024: 278 students are enrolled for the school year.

 

 

Music from "Nana's Song" Hans Johnson, from the Awake album
released 2020, courtesy Royalty Music

 

 

A Letter from Tom Mwanzia, MATC Director

The partnership between the MATC and MVP Board of Directors has seen great milestones achieved.  Together we have completed the multi-purpose building (no more birds singing in the rafters), fenced the perimeter of the campus, provided continuing education for teachers, completed the beauty salon/fabric arts store, provided additional advanced training opportunities for students, enrolled 278 students, provided sponsors for 42 students, graduated 72 students, converted treadle sewing machines to electric, provided solar energy to the entire campus, purchased recreational equipment for students and bunk beds to accommodate the increased number of students.

The newly completed store/salon building is a realization of a potential means toward the  college’s sustainability. The services offered in these stores include hair dressing and beauty services, as well as garment making/tailoring, and dressmaking. In addition, the community is bringing clothes for repair and adjustment.

Besides the services and goods offered at the sustainability stores. the students will be making school uniforms for the local primary and high schools, as well as colleges and other enterprises.

Previously, students have been graduating with a Grade III certificate. However, we now have incorporated a higher grade, Grade II. For a student to qualify for Grade II admission, they must have passed Grade III. These are the students who have been running the sustainability stores under the guidance of their teachers.

The College’s current enrolment is 278 students, managed by 7 staff. We do however have 29 very needy students who, if not assisted, will be turned away due to a lack of funding. We are appealing to you for your support through participation in the sponsorship program. Please help us keep these promising students in school. 

On the sustainability front, the MATC Board of Directors is embracing additional feasible measures. For example, we are lobbying to have the MATC instructors employed by the county government, then seconded to the school. This will greatly relieve the wage bill. Several other measures are under consideration by the Board of Directors. We are confident we are headed in the right direction.
We remain grateful for your support. 

Ahsante Sana!

Tom Mwanzia

Director, MATC

 

 

 

Makindu Vocational Program is a charitable non-profit organization (501C3 Tax ID #81-5189538) that is the U.S. based funding source for the building and operations of the Makindu Advanced Training College for adolescent girls and boys in Eastern Kenya.