EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
A.E.F Ruben Primary School
Ruben Primary is a public sponsored school by the Christian Brothers - Australia. The school offers free primary education like all other public schools and it is the only public school in Mukuru Kwa Reuben. Currently the school has a population of 3,500+ children with 54 teachers from the government and 17 project teachers.
Ruben Beyond Borders
Ruben Beyond Borders (RBB) is a new project of the Ruben Centre that has borrowed it’s ideology from Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders. RBB focuses on educating masses outside the boundaries of Ruben Centre’s host nation, Kenya. Highlighted content include Ruben Centre Orchestra, English-Swahili translation and lifestyle & culture.
Children with Special needs
Providing education as a right is an obligation of all governments and requires that they translate their national commitments into legislation. This goal will only be achieved when the universal right to education extends to individuals with special needs and disabilities in the country. This program started in May 2015 with a purpose of providing formal training and basic skills to children with various disabilities in Mukuru Kwa Ruben.
Human Development & Skills Training Programs
Responding to current times and the needs of the Mukuru Residents, especially the youth, the Ruben Human Development & Skills Training Program (HD&STP) has made significant changes to its program, so that future training ensures professional, innovative, holistic and technical input that enhances their work opportunities and gives greater awareness around business development and management.
The Ruben Centre has for a long time been training youth in our vocational Training Centre. The main certificated education programs has been the sewing and tailoring. However, in 2016 these programs were expanded to include Weaving; Small Urban Farming; Small Animal Husbandry; IT - Building a Freelance Business; and a Nanny Course. The programs extend over different periods of time, and certification is applicable relevant to the work undertaken. Certification through the Ministry of Education is available for a number of the courses.
In order to broaden the focus of the program, a more holistic vision emerged in 2015, and this included the introduction of flexible learning programs. A program which enables the student to focus on a singular skill (e.g. sewing) and develop the expertise to be proficient in that area. The courses are between one and three months, and qualifies the trainee to work in factories or with organizations that produce machined items for market sale. Coursework includes Bead making; African crafts; Sewing on electrical machines; knitting; rug making; sewing; overlocking, etc. We have had over 100 students graduating from the program and most of the students are doing well and their lives have changed as most of them proceed to start their own business enterprises.
Adult Education
Ruben Centre is keen to empower every member of the Mukuru kwa Ruben community. We believe that education holds this key to empower the community. Many Kenyans lack formal education, especially the older generation. Since 2015 Ruben Centre has been admitting adult students to enroll in both primary & secondary levels.
As of 2020, we have had 4 students clear their primary school national examination and move to secondary school. We have registered over 30 students as well.
Transitioning Into the workplace Program
The Kenyan economy is very much dependent upon the informal sector of commercial activity employing many young people and women in particular. Ruben Centre has introduced post training phases to offer training, financial assistance and supervision for youth and women wanting to use their newly acquired skills and help them get started in some business activity.
Computer Program
NairoBits Trust is a youth based organization based in Nairobi, Kenya. The computer training program seeks to empower marginalized youth between the ages of 15 to 24 living in the urban non-formal settlements. It provides these youth with training in ICT Multimedia, entrepreneurship, reproductive health and life skills with an aim of giving them chances in both formal and non-formal employment sector.
This program envisions a situation where the urban informal settlement youth can be able to access Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills that would improve their chances of getting employment as well as increase their ability to enter the business market. The program also develops the youth’s character by inculcating critical elements of personal confidence, self-esteem, and general life skills ICT Multimedia This is a very innovative ICT course which is implemented in four levels namely course one, two, three and media lab.
The courses are progressive starting from introduction to computers up to specialization in ICT Web design and development. Media lab is the highest and the final level of training after which the graduates are linked to internship and employment opportunities in ICT related companies. The program consistently reviews its curriculum to keep up with the emergence of new trends in ICT and ease of access.
Urban Agriculture Course
These certificate courses have been designed to focus on an ecological systems approach to sustainable urban farming principles and practices, and, which are suitable for local food crop production in the Mukuru slums.
Classes will have a high content of practical application and will provide students with the opportunity to gain a working knowledge of Small Urban Scale Organic farming and Small Animal Husbandry. Production methods for vegetables, grain, fruit and aquaponics are covered. Students will begin the course at set times in the year.
The Urban Agriculture certificates - Small Urban Farming and Small Animal Husbandry prepares graduates to operate their own farm, or, work in the community food supply arena. Graduates will be qualified to run small-scale farms, work closely with existing farmers, and be advocates of local food systems, and manage the production and rearing of small animals Other career opportunities could include working and managing community gardens, farmers markets, and school gardens, as well as cash production farming of small animals.
Weaving Course
Weaving is a course that can be traced back to the earliest times. The HD&STP unit has developed a Weaving course that will allow Trainees attending the course to produce beautifully patterned materials, in numerous types of yarns and weaves. Students will also learn and have understanding of the working principles of the tools and equipment used in Weaving & Loom Production and the ability to operate the tools and equipment, and successfully use their skills to set up and operate machines used in hand woven fabric production.
It is a 6 - 9 month certificated course, and many students are given opportunity for future internship and employment.
Freelancing on a Global Platform
Say the word “freelancing” and what comes to mind? If you are already established in a field that offers freelancing opportunities, then you may have considered looking at the opportunities available to become a freelancer. As with most things in life, there are risks and there are rewards to freelancing, and the only way you can decide if the freelancing life is the right life for you is to carefully examine the various advantages and disadvantages of being a freelancer.
This course will ensure that potential freelancers are aware of the requirements needed to build a business as a Freelancer on the worldwide global Platforms. All pros and cons of starting this business will be outlined, as well as the capacity to build the tools and resources that are to the standards required for successful business development in this area. The six week course takes you through the learning processes of establishing your freelance credentials; networking skills; developing websites; portfolio building and assignment work.