Rehabilitation for addicted street connected youth

During this period we did not have anyone attending rehabilitation. WOW 4 group received advice and education on addiction from our new counsellor Doreen. 

During the period the group also made a 20 minute film entitled "The Street". This movie looked at the challenges that face young street connected people including alcohol and addiction issues. 

In January we also had a planning meeting with former street youth leaders to look to see how we can work with leaders of the different street bases. It is hoped in the coming period that a structure can be establised to meet with these youth and see how the issues facing them, including addiction, can be addressed. 

As we prepare for WOW 4's graduation we will follow up with them and see what issues they have as they begin training and as they move off the street into houses.

We also will follow up with support to Joe who went to Rehab on two occasions but has again reverted to taking alcohol to excess. 

So in our last report we wrote of how "Joe" (not his real name) was coming to the end of his rehabilitation at Promises Treatment Centre in Webuye. Joe has since returned to Kitale and, with our support, has moved into his house on the outskirts of Kitale town. Following the treatment ourselves at Association of Mission Volunteers and some of the staff of Kitale Community Advancement Programme (also on this platform) met with Joe to discuss plans for a livelihood training. It was agreed that he would undertake training as a carpenter so following a meeting with a local carpenter arrangements was made for this to happen. For over a month now Joe has been attending at his carpentry training and can now do basic work like making a stool. We have ordered stools that Joe will make for the houses of other World of Work (WOW) participants. Joe is neighbours with 3 others from the WOW programme so they take supper together at a local hotel. Sometimes the WOW field officer, John, also joins with them for supper. Each week "Joe" meets with an addiction counsellor from Kitale Community Advancement Programme for support and counselling. After over 20 years on the street adjusting to living in a house is a challenge for Joe. Living without dependance on alcohol is also very hard. Finding new friends is not easy. During this period Joe's eldest child (Form 1 in Secondary School) was chased away from home by his step-father so came to Joe. We arranged for the boy to finish the school year at his school but as a boarder. During the Christmas holidays we will plan with the boy and Joe about Form 2 and beyond. 

On behalf of the programme thanks to all who have supported Joe on his journey.