“Hi. Bye. Emma!” These three words, including a shout for her favorite staff member, were the total English vocabulary words for one girl in 2019. These were three more words than her Swahili vocabulary. Because she and her four siblings only spoke their tribal language, school was an impossible dream.
In 2018, they all joined The Valley school, where they could continue to return home each evening. The Valley isn’t just one more school in the neighborhood though. Teachers are trained in trauma care, so every classroom is a safe place. Social workers not only counsel the students but begin relationships with the families. Through this process, the children eventually opened up that not only had their home been very unsafe, but now both parents had left, and the teenage children were in charge. These precious children needed more help.
Moving into The Shelter was a difficult journey, especially for the younger two girls. Because home was unstable, fear was their most common emotion even though they were safe now. Being older than others in their grade levels made friendships difficult. Visits with their parents left each girl inconsolable afterward despite wanting that connection. But, The Shelter’s staff was well equipped to support their every need. Their house mama was ready to create safety through structure and routine. The teachers gently worked with them to make up for the education they had missed. Each staff member made intentional time for them. Social workers made space for them to learn to feel all the emotions they had suppressed. While one girl made friends on the basketball team, the other made connections on the playground. Joy began to be a common emotion.
So, what happens when a child has a safe place to belong and a quality education? These stories have a feel-good element to them, but Oasis isn’t satisfied with only subjective evaluation of the children. Instead, there’s a database to track over 100 data points on all elements of holistic care from the best practices worldwide. Does it work? After two and a half years of living at The Shelter, has their story changed?
The oldest girl in this story just entered Class 3. Her reading and comprehension scores are at Class 8. Last year, she finished Class 2 at the very top of her class by a landslide. The younger sister, who could only say three English words? As she begins Class 2, she can read and comprehend at a Class 5 level. Their emotional vocabulary and regulation are on track for their ages, no physical health concerns are present, and spiritual guidance is accessible. Each area of their holistic development is at the highest standard. Yes, it works.
Females from impoverished families in rural Kenya are at the absolute bottom of the educational ladder in Kenya. Less than 20% of them will go past Class 8. With the trauma and instability at home plus the language barriers they faced, these two girls had a 0% chance… except that people around the globe are willing to say “No” to those statistics. They donate $5, $50, or $5000 to provide scholarships and flip the odds for these incredible students.
