Thursday, January 17, 2008

Made In The Streets

I have been aware of Made In The Streets for several years now. MITS is located just outside of Nairobi, Kenya and is home to fifty kids who would otherwise be living on the streets. MITS actually has two centers, the first being in the Eastleigh slum, out of which team members serve kids sleeping on the streets. The other center is at Kamulu, on the Eastern edge of Nairobi. The Kamulu Center is on 34 acres, with shops, a playground, the Learning Center, a girls' center, a boys' center and a skills training center. Fifty teenagers who once lived on the streets now live at Kamulu. There are fifteen full-time team members who serve their needs.

I've been meeting with periodically with Tim Lewis and Charles Coulston about MITS and how I might be able help with their computer labs. As it turns out, there is a lot I will be able to do and I am planning a trip for this summer. This spring, they will be working on installing a satellite receiver that will bring internet access to their Learning Center for the first time. This summer, I will be assisting their teachers and students find ways to use free internet resources to change the way they teach, learn and communicate. I will be spending time this spring putting together training materials and resources to share with them during my visit.