“I went to the Globe Cinema
round-about, Nairobi, on
Valentine’s Day morning to
look for street children who I
could take to lunch.
I was just looking to make
someone’s day special but I
ended up finding my life’s
purpose. So I quit my job in
sociology to do this.
Now, every day for me is a
chance to make a street child’s
life better.
“I was up at 6 am, because I
had my monthly visit to a
rehab centre where six of the
boys I am helping are
enrolled.
Seeing progress is what keeps
me going. What I have learnt
is that these boys, girls and
mothers are just regular
people like you and me, all
they need is someone to
believe in them.
“By midday, I was back in the
streets. I have been looking
after a few boys who I had
had circumcised now that they
are back on their feet.
I spent the bigger part of the
day counselling the older ones
and helping groom the nails
on the younger ones.
WE HAD LUNCH TOGETHER
Then we all had lunch
together. We do this three
times every week because this
is what I can afford for now.
“I spent the afternoon with
street women. When I started
coming here, what struck me
was how closely spaced their
children were.
One of them, for instance, is in
her mid-20s and is pregnant
with her eighth child. My top
most concern now is getting
them on a family planning
programme.
I have gotten most of them on
board and I am hoping I will
be able to talk a few others
round to the idea.
“Most of the people I work
with are addicts, meaning that
promises are sometimes
broken and old habits
revisited. I need patience to
trust them again and give
them second chances.
“The natural reaction of the
average person when they
come across a street child is to
hold their handbags tighter
but it will surprise you how
trustworthy these children can
be.
When I come to the ‘base’
each morning, I give one of
the children my bag to look
after all day and I have never
lost a shilling.
“I finished my rounds at 9pm
and you should have seen the
looks people were giving me
as the boys saw me off at the
bus stop. I didn’t have much
in my pocket at the end of the
day but I went to bed with
the hope that tomorrow will
take care of itself.”
it takes courage…alot of it