Akili Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) Center Launch

Posted by: David Omondi

Akili Adult & Continuing Education Center (ACE) opened its doors to students on Monday 4th February, 2013. This followed its successful launch on Saturday, 2nd Feb. 2013.  During the launch, we distributed brochures and answered questions from parents and prospective students. 

Akili ACE center is a beacon of hope for many youths living in Obunga slums, who did not get the opportunity to join high school. Most youths in the slum drop out of school due to lack of school fees, others especially girls leave school to raise their children after getting pregnant while in school.

Since the Kenyan government introduced free primary education, the cost of secondary education has continued to rise steadily making it unaffordable for most families living in poverty. On average, each high school student pays approximately Kes 50,000 (USD $ 588) per year. Consequently, the number of out of school youth in Obunga has increased over the years. 

Akili ACE center therefore, gives these youth a second chance to realize their dreams by giving them an opportunity to enroll and sit for their national exams and proceed to college. 

These youths are not willing to attend regular classes because of their age or the traditional full-time classes because some are already working or taking care of their families. We are committed to providing conducive study environment to get these youths started again. Akili offers flexible classes (evening) and accelerated terms for the students. We also offer similar services for the youth wishing to enroll for 8th grade.

Our classes include English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, History and government, Christian Religious education and Business studies. High school leavers who would otherwise be idle in the community are helping tutor the students. 

In future we plan to expand this program to include vocational training for the youth (such as dressmaking and hairdressing), teaching of languages such as French, TOEFL, Spanish, German and Accountancy Courses such as ABE, ICM, and KASNEB etc.  Once the students complete high school, they can enroll for these courses or join our entrepreneurship training and computer classes at Akili.  
We are looking for volunteers to help us establish these programs and help create sustainable change in Obunga, Kisumu.

 "Together We Can!"

A prospective student making inquiry about the program during the launch

Akili staff briefing the Patron, Benard Onynago, after the launch