Complex rehabilitation programme of Mashimoni Squatters’ School

Kibera, the largest slum in Africa, is located in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The area is characterised by inhumane living conditions and extremely poor public hygiene. In order to improve the situation, the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta constructed a sanitation centre (Joyland) in 2011, providing toilets, showers and access to safe drinking water. However, its operation is now at risk due to a damaged water pipeline; a drilled well would offer a sustainable solution.

A suitable location for this is the Mashimoni Squatters’ School, situated approximately 500 metres from the sanitation centre. The school was established in 1993 by the local community, as children in the area had no access to adequate education. Today, the primary and secondary school educates nearly 500 students, yet faces numerous challenges. As it serves some of the poorest families in the city, its income from tuition fees is highly uncertain. The school lacks piped drinking water, and the existing sanitation facilities are insufficient both in capacity and quality, failing to provide adequate hygienic conditions for students and staff alike.