KIVULI LANGUAGE SCHOOL

The Kivuli Language School was established in 2001 by a group of refugee teachers from the African Great Lakes Region to provide basic language education for, and assist refugee communities integrate with the local society.

The Centre provides basic language education and emotional support for newly-arrived refugees, hence facilitating their integration into their new society. It also offers special courses and tuition for students who want to sit privately for their secondary school level examinations.

Aims and Objectives of the Language School

1. To provide young and adult refugees whose schooling was derailed by unrest in their home countries  with an opportunity to learn how to read and write. And because English is widely spoken in Kenya, the refugees are also taught basic English language to help transition them into their new community.


2. To help students who were unable to complete their studies at both primary and secondary level to keep their minds fresh for later continuation of their education in either English or French (School Dropouts Program.)


3. To give a chance to members of the local community living around Kivuli who are interested in learning foreign languages.

• English: This is offered mainly to refugees from the Great Lakes Region and other  non-Anglophone countries to smoothen integration into the local Kenyan Society. Refugee dropouts also learn English in preparation for subsequent school enrolment, alongside Kenyans seeking to improve their spoken and written language skills.


• French: Initially, the French program was meant to help refugee children from the Great Lakes Region maintain their language proficiency so that they wouldn’t have a problem continuing with their education upon return to their native countries or later reentry into formal schooling in Kenya. Currently, the program has been expanded to accommodate non-refugees who are interested in learning French, which is an international language spoken in over 25 countries across the world.


• Italian: The School has began offering Italian language classes following demands from people living around the Kivuli Centre, especially those associated with Koinonia’s social initiatives - many of which are made possible through collaboration with various Italian partners.


• Adult Literacy Program: This program offers adult refugees and other adult people from the Riruta Satellite area who never attended school a chance to attend reading and writing classes.