By Joe Mwai | Chair of the Board
Dear Friends,
It is time for another project report for you, our Global Giving supporters who have signed up to receive updates. While we are still continuing to fundraise toward a new round of vocational skills training and getting ready to launch our new website, we thought we'd take this chance to tell you a little more about the realities and challenges that face the youth we serve here in Nyeri town.
As you may know or recall, SYSC is located at the edge of Nyeri town, in the heart of a large local slum that is amongst the largest in all of Kenya. The slum’s population is estimated to be 175,000, but nobody knows for sure. Youth make up the majority of the population and it is estimated that 90% of these youth live in abject poverty.
Our community lacks basic infrastructure such as electricity, water and sanitation. The average home size in Shauri Yako is 3 by 4 meters with an average of 5 people per house and 1 pit latrine for every 25 people. Food security is a big issue. Health services are minimal and the HIV/AIDS rate is high. As you can see in the photos attached, residents of Shauri Yako depend on polluted water from the Chania River for drinking, laundry and all their needs. Youth here face so many challenges, including lack of education and training opportunities, high unemployment rates and economic and social marginalization.
In our recent youth development meeting, it was noted that one of the biggest challenges for job creation and self-employment in the Shauri Yako community is lack of electricity and water supply. Youth try to launch businesses - like barbershops, video halls, cell phone charging - but the only source of electricity power in the slums is from generators, making it exorbitant for small income projects. SYSC has requested the county authority to consider bringing electricity in the slums, to help residents who are trying to improve their lives.
We continue to depend on local efforts and the financial support of international donors such as yourselves to continue our regular advocacy on behalf of residents to the government and to deliver programs to give youth a chance to escape the binds of poverty.
With appreciation for your kindness,
Joe Mwai
Chair of the Board
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