Life Tree Academy

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6)

This verse is urging parents to guide children toward a godly, moral life by tailoring training to their unique, God-given talents and temperaments. It suggests that consistent, righteous, and individualized guidance in early years fosters long-term, lasting positive behavior.

* Individualized Training (The "Way" of the Child):This interpretation suggests training a child according to their unique bent, personality, and capabilities rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

* Moral/Godly Direction: This focus is on teaching children biblical principles, values, and the "right path" (the path of wisdom) to follow.

* A Principle, Not a Promise: Many scholars view this proverb as a general principle or a "wisdom" statement for life, rather than an absolute promise that a child will never stray.

* Long-term Impact: The second part of the verse, "and when he is old he will not depart from it," implies that early, consistent training creates a foundation that persists into adulthood.

Practical Application

* Discerning Individual Strengths: Recognizing and nurturing each child's unique skills and personality.

* Consistent Guidance: Establishing strong, positive habits and moral, godly values early in life.

* Leading by Example: Parents' own behavior influences children, so they must embody the virtues they teach.

Ours is an urgent ministry! - We must reach people for Christ while they are children! If people do not trust Christ as Savior by the time they are teenagers, there is little chance they will do so

Vision: To inspire a new generation of leaders

Mission: To provide quality holistic alternative basic education to vulnerable and undeserving children

Makongeni is the first estate to actualise the Eastlands Urban Renewal Masterplan, a project that represents a shift in how Kenya handles redevelopment.

It’s a structured process with full documentation, and a community-led transition where every voice is heard and no household is left behind.
Government agencies describe the Makongeni process as the most people-centred engagement exercise in the Affordable Housing Programme’s history.

It’s designed to protect residents, safeguard pensioners, and prepare the estate for rebirth as a modern, green, connected community.

Here are 15 facts that reflect the uniqueness of the project:

1. Extensive Consultation
Records show Makongeni has undergone multiple rounds of structured engagement, including barazas, door-to-door visits, enumeration, verification, grievance redress sessions, Relocation Action Plan (RAP) workshops, and consent signing.
Every step was documented, capturing household details, concerns, and agreements.

2. No Forced Evictions
There is no forced evictions. All households that moved did so after:
* Full facilitation
* Verification.
* Signed consent forms.
The redevelopment is designed as a return model, where current residents become priority beneficiaries of the new, safer, greener Makongeni.

3. Land Valuation
The land acquisition followed a professional, regulated valuation process aligned with pension rules to protect the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme.
Comparative data indicates that private developers have paid higher amounts for similar land in the same zone.

4. Beneficiary Eligibility
The RAP follows international relocation standards, which recognise the primary household occupant, not extended family.
Makongeni validated 3,601 rightful households after enumeration, verification, objections, and grievance redress processes.
Paying beyond verified households would violate the agreed criteria and compromise fairness.

5. Relocation Support
A full Relocation Action Plan was co-created with residents, detailing:
* Security deployment.
* Psychosocial support.
* Needs assessment.
* Transport facilitation.
* Temporary shelter centres.
These provisions emerged directly from the RAP workshop, where residents highlighted practical and emotional concerns.

6. Safety Concerns for Women and Children
Security plans specifically prioritised women and children through:
* Deployment of female security officers.
* Increased lighting.
* Patrol of hotspots.
* Activation of GBV hotlines.
Officials describe safety not as a “policy item” but a daily operational commitment.

7. Facilitation Amount
The amount is part of a broader support framework, which includes:
* Logistical assistance.
* School transition help.
* Priority for vulnerable residents.
* Job opportunities within the project.
* On-site safety support.
The model is designed to ensure families move with structure, not struggle.

8. School Disruption
A coordinated school transition plan is in place:
* Transfer letters provided.
* Neighbouring schools confirm placements.
* No student is expected to lose learning time or stability.

9. Impact on Traders and Small Businesses
Traders are receiving:
* Relocation support.
* Business continuity assistance.
* Priority allocation for commercial spaces in the new estate.
* Temporary trading zones to protect daily income.

10. Youth Inclusion
Youth were active contributors to the RAP process and will be engaged in:
* Construction works.
* Waste management and recycling.
* Logistics.
* Community mobilisation.
* Environmental tasks.
The redevelopment doubles as a youth employment programme.

11. PWD Considerations
Persons living with disabilities (PWDs) were identified and prioritised.
Support includes:
* Escorted relocation assistance.
* Special transport.
* Priority for accessible units.
* Built-in features in new blocks such as ramps, rails, wide doors, and enhanced lighting.
Accessibility is being designed, not retrofitted.

12. Elderly Residents
The elderly requested slower movement schedules and emotional support.
They are receiving:
* Staggered relocation timelines.
* Assisted movement.
* Counselling.
* Priority allocation for accessible units.

An artist’s impression of the proposed affordable housing project in Makongeni, Nairobi (Image: Files)

13. Churches and Schools
Churches, schools, and NGOs are transitioning in phased schedules to retain their community presence and activities.
In the new Makongeni, they will serve as community anchors, with improved facilities and space.

14. Communication
Communication channels include:
* WhatsApp groups.
* Estate posters.
* Barazas.
* Digital content.
* Interpersonal briefings in Swahili and Sheng.
* Verified briefing packs for leaders.
The communication strategy aims to reach people in familiar, accessible formats.

15. “This is just demolitions.”
Makongeni’s redevelopment is not defined by demolition but by renewal.
The new estate will include:
* Modern high-quality housing.
* Green parks.
* schools.
* A hospital.
* Commercial areas.
* Safe walkways.
* Jobs for local residents.

From enumeration to Makao Bora cards, each step is documented because this is not the end of a community – it is the evolution of one.

Makongeni’s transformation is the clearest expression yet of Kenya’s attempt to implement documented, inclusive, people-first urban renewal.

As Top Help Schweiz, we are committed to raising the next generation through projects like Life Tree Academy, Life Tree Kids and Children Camps.

We believe that partnership is key for learning and growth.

This year we are pulling together ideas and resources for a 250-Girls Residential Camp in December at Omboga Secondary School in Kanyaluo, Homabay County.

For more information, contact Dorise on 0713 335924