HAPPY STAR
For the education of Mathare children
A school to teach Mathare children their rights, such as the right not to be beaten and sexually abused, or the right to education and food.
HAPPY STAR
For the education of Mathare children
A school to teach Mathare children their rights, such as the right not to be beaten and sexually abused, or the right to education and food.
A message of hope
“For a long time I have had a vision of a dream. This vision is to be able to improve the lives of these children, especially the girls. I want to restore hope where there no longer seems to be any, to give meaning to their lives, to put a smile on their faces.
If you give a child the basics, he can do anything.”
Steve, Happy Star’s founder
Steve and Happy Star
Stephen Odiambo Arodi, known as Steve, was born in Mathare, a slum situated in the east of Nairobi in Kenya. It is the oldest and second largest slum after Kibera. It has an estimated population of 1.2 million, 62% of whom are children. With only three state schools on the outskirts and many informal schools overwhelmed by the huge needs and lack of resources, it is impossible to provide quality education for the children.
Steve is convinced that education can be improved and become a key element in escaping the cycle of poverty in the world. He knows that high-quality pre-school and primary education gives children a better start in life. He founded the first Happy Star school in Nairobi in 2016.
A documentary
Portrait of a surprising resilience with a return to square one: Mathare, the slum where, according to statistics, 50% of children are abused.
The same child 20 years later: fighting a David and Goliath battle for children’s rights. Those who exploit children don’t like his activities, but the people of Mathare and Geneva support him.
A documentary by Tiziana Caminada.
Steve and Happy Star
Stephen Odiambo Arodi, known as Steve, was born in Mathare, a slum situated in the east of Nairobi in Kenya. It is the oldest and second largest slum after Kibera. It has an estimated population of 1.2 million, 62% of whom are children. With only three state schools on the outskirts and many informal schools overwhelmed by the huge needs and lack of resources, it is impossible to provide quality education for the children.
Steve is convinced that education can be improved and become a key element in escaping the cycle of poverty in the world. He knows that high-quality pre-school and primary education gives children a better start in life. He founded the first Happy Star school in Nairobi in 2016.
A documentary
Portrait of a surprising resilience with a return to square one: Mathare, the slum where, according to statistics, 50% of children are abused.
The same child 20 years later: fighting a David and Goliath battle for children’s rights. Those who exploit children don’t like his activities, but the people of Mathare and Geneva support him.
A documentary by Tiziana Caminada.
Actualities
December 2023
Christmas in Mathare
April 2023
Professor Jaffé’s visit
October 2022
Projection of Little Big Steve
The children of Mathare need your help
We need qualified teachers and appropriate school materials. We also need food for the children. What they eat at school is often all they have for the day.
The children of Mathare need your help
We need qualified teachers and appropriate school materials. We also need food for the children. What they eat at school is often all they have for the day.
Credits to Emmanuel LUYET