Education in Kenya is based on an 8-4-4 structure, with the first 8 years of education provided free by the government. This plan was adopted to help students who were required to finish schooling after primary education due to poverty and the need for them to begin work in order to support their families.

Due to extreme poverty in many areas of Kenya, children are often not able to complete even the primary component of their education. Students must stay home to look after younger siblings, or even more discouraging they are sent to work so that they may provide some income to buy food. Many children are orphaned by HIV and are the sole supporters of their family, or are refused entry to overcrowded education systems because they are unable to purchase the required uniform.

MURUDEF alleviates these problems by providing a service of Non-Formal Education for the youth of Western Kenya. Running three education programs, MURUDEF helps students of all ages complete quality basic education that is flexible in structure and open to those in need of care and protection due to special circumstances. Currently MURUDEF runs three education programs.

Primary Education The Esumeye Education Centre provides primary school education for children aged 7 – 12.

Located in a donated Church classroom the school has a flexible starting time enabling students that have to

travel long distances, mostly on foot, continuous access to basic education. Uniforms and the payment of fees

are not required though parents are urged to contribute to food and textbooks as they are able. Regular

meetings are held with primary caregivers to ensure continued attendance and to emphasise the importance of

education in breaking the cycle of poverty. MURUDEF is currently striving to purchase land in order to build a

permanent school structure as well as aiding in the provision of quality textbooks for both volunteer teachers

and the students.

Secondary Education Secondary education in Kenya is neither compulsory nor free. The Musango Hillsview

Education Centre aims to provide quality and inexpensive education to students who have completed their

primary education but who, due to extreme poverty, have been unable to attend a formal secondary school.

Students are not charged fees though they are encouraged to contribute to and prepare their lunch meals for

the day. Primary caregivers are involved in regular meetings with members of the school board to assist in the

purchase of textbooks, as well as in developing income generating activities to facilitate the running of the

centre. MURUDEF is presently sourcing funds to purchase land which will be used to develop a small plot of

agricultural farming to both feed and educate the students, as well as providing income for the school and

employment for members of the community through a brick making facility.

Adult Education MURUDEF also seeks to help mature age students, primarily youth who are required to work

full time or adults who have not received education in their earlier years. The MURUDEF Centre for

Development Studies was designed to provide business training to students in the form of English Language,

Leadership and Management education. Students learn how to effectively manage their small businesses which

are largely in the agricultural or service sectors. Boda-Boda, or bicycle taxi operators are taught English so they

can effectively source income from tourist trade and women are given business and language education to better

enable them to participate in the local economy. At present MURUDEF is working towards opening a small shop

on-site that will generate income to pay staff and provide quality learning materials.

MUMA RURAL - URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION Amalemba PO Box 1136 Kakamega Kenya Tel 056 30226