Founded in 1994 by the late actress Anne Wanjugu, Tumshangilieni Mtoto is a project in Nairobi, Kenya whose aim is to empower street children and other underprivileged children from economically challenged background. Tumshangilieni uses performing arts as a tool of rehabilitation and offers formal education from primary school to university. In so doing the children are empowered to be financially independent and ready for reintegration back to society.
Street children remain amongst the most highly marginalized and vulnerable human beings in Kenya, and there are up to 500,000 + Kenyan street children. They are largely driven out of their homes by poverty, destitution, and the breakdown of the family and other social welfare structures. The children have no access to shelter, education, health care, or protection. Even the youngest, of both sexes, are often sexually abused and exploited, traumatized and suffer from mental challenges.
Tumshangilieni Mtoto gives street children and children from economically challenged background a chance to reintegrate into Kenyan society through providing them a home to live, counseling, medical care, clothing, food ,education from pre-school to universities/college, vocational training and a chance to be a normal child who is loved. Tumshangilieni Mtoto also uses performing arts including drama, tap dance, acrobatics, brass band, choir, tae-kwan-do, and mime to help build self-empowerment
Empowering children through education will make them outstanding adults who are financially independent thus escaping the vicious cycles of poverty. Gender equality - the children become open minded knowing that all genders are equal and no one should be looked down upon or abused because of their gender. Talent recognition and support-instills self confidence in their abilities thus they grow up into talented adults who can use their talents to generate income and in the entertainment industry
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
