We are a dedicated group of educators and advocates, passionately working together to uplift and transform the lives of the children in Kibera.
Meet Jairus Makambi Cheery's Founder
Jarius Makambi, the visionary behind Cheery Children Education Centre, has dedicated his life to transforming the educational landscape for the children of Kibera, Nairobi. Born in western Kenya as the only boy among six siblings and the fifth born in his family, Jarius moved to Nairobi in 1992 in search of employment opportunities and found himself in Kibera slum. His journey took a significant turn in January 2009 when he felt a divine inspiration to help the children in Kibera. With clarity from meditation and alongside his wife Emmily, he founded the Cheery Education Centre in September 2009, starting modestly with just three children.
The center initially operated in a space provided by a local church and has since expanded due to the relentless efforts and resourcefulness of Jarius. Despite facing immense challenges, his determination has seen the center grow to support 540 students with additional classrooms to alleviate congestion. Jarius has leveraged his extensive experience working with children to bring quality education and global connectivity to Cheery Children Education Centre through platforms like Skype, Google Hangout, and more, establishing it as a beacon of change and a model for global education.
Under his leadership, Cheery has not only provided essential education but also at least one meal per day for the students, addressing the critical issue of food security. His future plans include further developing the school’s infrastructure to support a sustainable feeding program, better classrooms, and a playground. Jarius’s guiding philosophy, inspired by the challenge of doing what is hard to achieve greatness, fuels his passion for making a significant impact in the lives of vulnerable children.
Married to Emmily, with whom he co-founded Cheery, Jarius is also a father to three sons and a mentor and coach to many. His work has gained international recognition, featuring in newspapers and global functions, and has significantly benefited from collaborations like the LINC project which provided vital resources to combat disease in Kibera.
Jarius Makambi remains a steadfast educator, humanist, and advocate for children’s education, firmly believing in the equality and potential of every child, regardless of their background.
