Christian Schools in Kenya and Africa

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“Please take my little son as well into your Bible stories class. I want that his life to change like my older son who also did the class!” These were the words of a Muslim mother in the slum area of Nairobi, Kenya, who came to the Christian teachers of a school with this request. Three years ago, some Kenyan Christians started a small primary school in a district of Nairobi which is inhabited mainly by Muslims. Without this initiative the young in this district would not have any access to education. Nearly 100 of the 120 children come from Muslim families. Many families are willing to sacrifice the 10 euros (US$12) for the school fees to ensure the education of their children.

Children are neglected in Kenya

These families hope that the next generation will get out of the vicious circle of poverty, illness and illiteracy and find work with regular income. Some adults also use the school facilities for further education in the evenings through reading books available in the small school library. It is especially encouraging that this initiative has been developed by local Christians, not foreigners.

Despite some welcome efforts to bring the message of Jesus to Muslims, it is a sad fact that children are often neglected. This happens either out of respect for the parents and/or the fear that the conversion of children could have negative consequences. Some claim that it is dishonourable to do evangelism campaigns aimed at the under-aged. Others feel a sense of helplessness and ignorance about how to work among children. Many Muslims who confess Jesus as Lord later in their lives heard the gospel as children. In areas where Muslims are the majority, Christian schools offer a wonderful opportunity to pass on God’s mercy and love in word and deed to both the young and the old. In many African countries the doors are wide open for teachers to work among children, in both government-sponsored programmes and privately, yet many of these opportunities are hardly used.

Staff training in Kenya

Staff training is available through worldwide movements which give advice and training for working with children, but also through local organisations that train staff for such work. Intensive practical courses teach Christians from many countries how to take the gospel into a Muslim environment. Recently, students have started to win over children in northern Africa through special events. Friendships often become the means of spreading the faith. Jesus told us that the faith of children is an example for all (Matthew 18:3-4). No sacrifice should be too great to help children become acquainted with the gospel.

Prayer for Kenya:

* Pray that there will be many new initiatives where Muslim children and youngsters can be introduced to Jesus Christ, in Kenya and elsewhere (pray specifically by name for various countries/cities).

* Pray for parents and children to hear how Jesus can change their lives for good in the Christian schools in Kenya and throughout Africa. Pray that many will desire to experience new life with Jesus.

* Pray especially for the pupils in the slum area of Nairobi. Pray for God to help the teachers, so that they may really enrich the futures of their pupils.

Background information is found on our main Kenya page here.

Filed under: Africa, East by TDI | Email this story