A new initiative is transforming education access for children in Nairobi’s informal settlements. The Mobile Classroom Unit, developed by the EJ Rihoy Charitable Trust, Untamed Architecture, and the community non-profit Earth Angels Welfare, offers a portable, low-cost solution to the constant threat of school displacement.
Due to high land costs, many informal schools operate on short-term leases. Once leases expire, they often face eviction, losing vital infrastructure. The Mobile Classroom Unit addresses this challenge. It can be assembled in under eight hours and disassembled in ten, allowing schools to relocate without losing their facilities.
Designed by Georgia Fernandes, founder of Untamed Architecture and a student at Columbia University, the classroom is affordable (KES 289,000 or ~USD 2,300), modular, and multifunctional. Features include:
- Rainwater harvesting
- Temperature regulation
- Elevated design to prevent flooding and deter pests
- Foldable furniture for community use (e.g. food distribution, tailoring workshops)
Future prototypes aim to use eco-friendly panels made from invasive species, offering both sustainability and affordability.
Local youth participate in construction, gaining skills and income. The approach is community-driven and cost-effective—80% cheaper than traditional school buildings, with savings redirected to education resources.
The first unit was installed at St Stevens School, Githogoro, led by headmistress Ruth Adhiambho, who used her own savings to keep the school running.
“This is about more than education,” said Fernandes. “It is about preserving safe spaces and empowering communities.”
As Nairobi works to expand school infrastructure—Governor Sakaja pledged 5,000 new classrooms in 2024—the Mobile Classroom Unit offers a scalable, dignified model built for resilience and hope.
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