Update

At the moment ChildHope is not directly responding to the troubling situation in Kenya. We do work in some affected areas, such as Kibera in Nairobi, and our current focus is on the safety of children and staff involved in our work.

ChildHope is not experienced in working in emergency situations, and therefore we are not able to provide meaningful assistance at the current time. We are however already making plans to work to improve living conditions for affected children and families once it is safe to do so. This will include the reconstruction of latrines and schools, providing equipment for schools, and community reconciliation work in Kibera and Mathare in Nairobi.

At this time ChildHope asks that people who want to make a donation consider those aid agencies who are better resourced to respond to the current situation. You might like to consider organisations who are members of the UK's Disasters Emergency Committee.

Country Context

Over 18 million Kenyans live below the poverty line, with little or no access to basic services such as education, health, water and sanitation. This poverty forces many to migrate to Nairobi’s slums, in search of employment. Parents either rely on children as a means of survival or they are just simply abandoned or orphaned due to AIDS. Many children suddenly find themselves the guardians of younger siblings. A recent survey estimates that there are over 155,000 street children living in Nairobi in 2007.

We estimate that 30% of Nairobi’s street children are girls. They are psychologically, physically and/or sexually abused either at home or during their time on the streets. Exposure to STIs and substance abuse is widespread, and adolescent pregnancies are common and dangerous street abortions often fatal. Evidence suggests that street girls will, often give birth to another generation of street children.

Another issue children face is the severe corporal punishment which still exists in Kenyan primary schools. This practice is often defended as a cultural norm and crucial to controlling over-sized classes. However evidence is clear that the physical and psychological damage it causes far outweighs any perceived benefits. Moreover it has been shown to contribute to truancy and school drop-outs which can be a causal factor for children migrating to the cities. Girls are particularly vulnerable as corporal punishment can perpetuate the cycle of violence in which girls are the biggest victims.

The Project

Pendekezo Letu (PKL), meaning “our choice” in Kishwahili, is a unique NGO as it provides intensive, three-year follow-up support to families living both in Nairobi and the rural areas. Together with CH, we developed a Project aiming to assist marginalised children and adults access their basic rights to education, information, protection from violence and expand their opportunities for development. The main activities of the project include:

• Short-term, residential rehabilitation services for street girls, after which they will be reintegrated with their families and enrolled in formal primary schools, along with their siblings.
• Small-business loans and enrolment in skills training courses for parents and older siblings to ensure sustainable economic self-reliance for the families and consequent access to education to the girls.
• In order to create awareness of child rights and reduce the high levels of corporal punishment in state-run primary schools, child rights training is provided to key individuals, positive models of discipline and professional codes of conduct are developed and institutionalized, school clubs and resource centres are established, and regular community-awareness campaigns are organized.
• Other activities include counselling, family planning services and provision of housing loans.
  

Challenges and Lessons Learnt

Thanks to our experience in Kenya we have learnt that:

• From research conducted by PKL analysing the impact of the Government’s introduction of free primary education (FPE) in January 2003, it has been acknowledged that the number of street children in Nairobi remains unchanged. NGOs need to work with the Government to change this, and build the capacity of the schools, especially providing them with services (such as desks, books and other materials).
• Schools need adequate teaching and learning materials and staff to cope with the increased number of pupils in schools.
• Street children need rehabilitation before linking them to formal primary schools.
• Street children should actively participate in the process of designing and implementing programmes that affect their lives.
• Girls are more likely to be excluded from school due to domestic duties and looking after sick relatives, especially given the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Furthermore, pregnant girls are still expelled despite legislation prohibiting this practice.
• Communities need to be sensitized on the need to accept those who are HIV positive. Children with the virus should be given fair treatment in and out of the classroom.
• Teachers dealing with children from difficult environments should be equipped with appropriate skills in order to support the children through the education process.
• Non-formal schools should be recognised and equipped with adequate learning facilities and staff like any other formal school.