Street children in Kisii town, have called on well-wishers to assist them reform from street life pointing-out that the few Community Based Organisations (CBO) that have taken the initiative of reforming them, was inadequate to totally evacuate them from the hard street life.
This is even after the Kingdom Child Community Organisation has taken the initiative of giving them every day, including breakfast and lunchtime meals, leaving super unattended due to lack of funds.
Speaking from the Kisii town Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church, where the CBO has been offered a structure to operate from, the children said it was becoming difficult for them to reform because after meals, they were still exposed to drug addiction and poor health conditions in the streets.
They explained various reasons that led them to the streets, including failure by guardians to educate them, broken families and parents’ involvement in consuming illicit brew.
“My stepfather refused to pay school fees, and also declined to go to school when summoned by my teachers, leaving me to drop-out,” lamented Tom Omboka (not real name).
Tom said that if given full support, he will dedicate himself to schooling and will never again drop-out like he did in class eight.
James Mokaya (not real name), claimed he lived with relatives but dropped-out of school in class four, after he was unable to buy books.
He applauded the CBO for support. but lamented how in the evening he was forced to go back to the streets where his friends persuaded him to toe their lifestyle.
Joseph Mugaka, (not real name), explained that he was in the streets after his father divorced his mother.
Apart from cold nights and insecurity, Joseph noted that the streets were also doused with drug addiction at night.
Sarah Moraa (not real name) claimed her father died a few years ago and her mother was involved in trafficking illicit brew.
The Kingdom Child Chairperson Thomas Omenta, said they were only able to offer the children mentorship, meals, guidance and counseling, with hopes of returning them back to their guardians or to school.
According to Omenta, the process happens within a period of up to one year as they find out the root cause of their street life.
The current group of 10 children, he said, are being taught the importance of school and academics to restore the values of education back for those who can go back to school.
“They are also taught on the effects and prevention of drugs and substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and petty crime,” Omenta said.
Those above 18 years old, are assisted through the process of getting national Identification Documents, so that they can have access to mobile money transfer services, ease integration to their families and not to get into trouble with the government through drug use and trafficking and other crimes.
Omenta said the Church was best placed to offer safe haven to street families if only each faith-based Organisation could take in a few of them.
“Imagine if every one of the 100 churches in Kisii town could take in two children, lead them through rehabilitation, and take them to school, how many lives would be changed,” he wondered.
He explained that it was costly for the CBO with limited resources to offer full support to the children, having to pay at least Sh7,000 for meals for each child for a few months, cash raised through donations and fundraisers.
Noting that the present-day children had very unique challenges, he urged parents and guardians to be responsible in their up-bringing such as ensuring adequate shelter, food school retention and among others needs.
He called on the County government to employ more social workers, to assist the children as soon as they landed in the streets.
The Organisation can be reached through Mpsesa Paybill Number, 400200, Account number 4006101 and email address kingdomchildinitiative @ gmail.com.
By Jane Naitore
