Vocational Scholarships

More than half a million people live in the roughly 2km by 3km strip of Nairobi, Kenya, known as the Mathare slum. Conditions in this overcrowded area are extremely difficult, and it requires tremendous resilience for people to pursue the hope of a better future.

Since 2009, Mathare Christian Outreach has provided hundreds of students with scholarships so they can pursue further education after high school. Currently 15 students are studying for careers in fields like teaching, accounting, social work, physiotherapy, construction, and culinary arts. What began with 1 student has grown into a life-changing program impacting many across Kenya. 

One of those people is Lloyd. Thanks to a scholarship he received from Mathare Community Outreach, he completed a Masters Certificate in baking. Now he is building his own business, and looking for ways to give back to the community where he grew up. “I’ve started my own bakery, right here in Nairobi, built on passion, faith, and love of pastries. It’s more than a business, it’s a mission! And just like this scholarship changed my life, my dream now is to do the same for others—to inspire, to empower, and to go back and give to the community.”

Beatrice is another scholarship recipient. She is studying for a diploma in electrical and electronics engineering, and says that her dream is to be not only an excellent female engineer, but to be an engineer who helps others. Here's a brief video in which Beatrice expresses what this program means to her:

We are thrilled to be helping people like Lloyd and Beatrice. Thank you for helping to make this possible!

Donate to Mathare Scholarships