'Papasa' means to 'hold gently' in Swahili and our Drop In Centre programme does exactly this. This Programme enables the children and young people living and working on the streets and dumpsites of Mombasa, Kenya a chance to escape from the challenges of their daily life and take part in things such as informal education classes, football, one to one support and creative workshops as well as a hot meal, wash facilities and a place to rest.
Street children spend their days surviving and have to grow up very quickly. They lose their chance of childhood the minute they arrive on the street. Children and young people are targeted by adults that should be protecting them and spend their days and nights avoiding arrest, persecution and violence. They struggle to find opportunities to play, learn, feel safe, wash their clothes, to eat good food and to sleep.
Glad's House ensures that Papasa provides vital respite from the challenges of daily life on the streets. It is a safe space where children and young people can play with their friends and enjoy themselves without the fear of being judged or attacked by those who should be protecting them. It is a place they can wash, access two nutritious meals, rest, begin to re-engage in education, engage in life skills sessions and access 1:1 support from our social workers.
"I have a talent and the only people that see it in me is Glad's House. People think that because I live on the street I am an animal, but here we are valued as a human being with love and care. Papasa is my family" Papasa ensures that every child and young people living and working on the streets of Mombasa have adults that they trust that ensure they feel valued, loved and cared for. From that relationship created we can begin to support children and young people in all aspects of their lives
