Wasome Back to School supports vulnerable children with school uniforms, learning materials, and essential supplies ensuring poverty does not force children out of the classroom and onto the streets.
The Wasome Back to School Program is an education support initiative by Black Pen Community Based Organization aimed at reducing school dropout rates among vulnerable children in Njiru Ward.
Many children from low-income households are sent home due to lack of uniforms, shoes, school bags, or basic learning materials. Over time, repeated absenteeism leads to permanent dropout, exposing children to street life, child labor, and risky behaviors.
Wasome Back to School intervenes early by ensuring children have the basic tools they need to remain in school and focused on learning.
In Shiranga, Njiru Ward, Kasarani Sub-County in Nairobi, Kenya, access to education for children from low-income households remains a persistent challenge. While public education is officially free, many families struggle to meet the hidden costs of schooling such as uniforms, shoes, school bags, and basic learning materials. As a result, thousands of children are frequently sent home or permanently drop out of school, not because of lack of ability, but because of poverty.
Within the communities we serve, school absenteeism and dropout are closely linked to economic vulnerability. Children who are repeatedly sent home due to lack of school requirements often lose interest in education, fall behind academically, and eventually disengage completely. Over time, this exposes them to street life, child labor, early substance abuse, and other social risks, reinforcing cycles of poverty and exclusion.
Globally, education remains a critical driver of social and economic development. According to UNESCO, over 244 million children and youth worldwide are out of school, with poverty being a leading cause in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, vulnerable urban and peri-urban communities continue to face high dropout rates, particularly at key transition stages between primary and secondary education.
The Wasome Back to School Program directly responds to this challenge by providing vulnerable children with essential school supplies, enabling consistent school attendance and sustained engagement in learning. By addressing the material barriers to education, the program supports children to remain in school, perform better academically, and build a pathway toward a more secure future.
This program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education for all, SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Through targeted education support, Wasome Back to School contributes to breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and ensuring that no child is left behind due to economic hardship.
When children miss school due to poverty, the consequences extend far beyond academics. School dropout increases vulnerability to:
By providing essential school supplies, Wasome Back to School keeps children safe, engaged, and learning, while restoring dignity to both learners and their families.
Black Pen CBO plans to scale the Wasome Back to School Program by integrating it with the Community Library and future multipurpose learning facility, providing continuous academic support beyond school supplies.
Our long-term goal is to ensure that every child in our community completes their education with dignity and hope.
Black Pen CBO was registered in 2019 & has since evolved under the visionary leadership and dedicated members who are still a vital pillar of the team.
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