Reintegrate Street-Connected Children in Kitale

Sadly, Kenya is going through a period of unrest and uncertainty.  A new Finance Bill proposed by the Government met with serious opposition from many of the populace, especially the youth.  Youth in Kenya comprise the majority of the population and they have been dubbed the Gen Z protesters.  Discontent has been building in recent weeks and, with the aid of planning over the internet, most towns and cities in Kenya have seen peaceful protests which have been increasing in frequency and size culminating in major protests yesterday nationwide.  Unfortunately, on this occassion a small mob with violence planned, infiltrated an otherwise peaceful majority and this resulted in damage, looting and shooting outside Parliament in Nairobi resulting in fatalities and injuries.  Also, there were many hurt or killed elsewhere, including issues in our local town of Kitale.

There are more demonstrations planned and no one knows how this will end.  The Government have made some concessions on planned taxation which had includes plans to tax sanitary towels, bread, airtime, vehicles etc.

Right now, our streets are a dangerous place to be for our youths and this, couple with planned taxation effects on costs will make our work more difficult. We have also been subject to issues with no/poor internet connectivity nationwide which affected us over the past couple of days.

January is the start of the academic year in Kenya.  This time it was particularly difficult for Kenyan families.  We have had steadily rising inflation and just about every necessity has increased in cost.  Schooling in Kenya is very expensive.  The tuition element in government schools is free but parents have to pay all other costs such as shoes, uniforms, sports kits, books and equipment and lunch.  Families have to pay transport costs of their child is in a local school or boarding costs if they are far from home.  High schools are selected by the government and parents have no choice about where their child is placed - this may be several hours away which forces them to board. It is safe to say that one term of high school boarding is approximately kshs20,000-40,000 plus uniform, toiletries, snacks, etc and a Kebyan general worker outside Nairobi eg Watchman, gardener, domestic worker, junior social worker may earn 17,000 per month.  So, basically their entire wage for probably 2 to 3 months goes towards putting one child into school for one term.  There are three terms in the year.  If they are in day school, costs are approximately kshs10,000 per term primary and maybe double that for high school - depending on transport needs.  This leaves little or nothing towards rent, food, transport and other children in the family if only one parent has work. 

We often find that children rescued from the street have a sibling in school but there was not enough money to send them so they ean to the street.  These children are taken home as soon as possible and our social workers work with the family and school to help get them back into school.

Poverty is a serious issue here compounded by lack of jobs and inflation.  Help us keep children in school please and out of danger.