Reggae Music filled the air. The MC kept on shouting this is our day and the rest of the homeless people living alongside the railway line in Kibera 42 would echo back loudly. The occasion was filled by homeless women, youth, men and children. Consolation, NAREC and Salama Joined the celebrations. The three organizations contributed some gifts for the winners of various games. Games included sack races, tug of war, eating competition, dancing competition and football.
One sad scenario was the fact that too many teenage girls, some as young as 14 had children. Several young mothers aged 20 years were having a second or a third baby. One of the young mothers probably 23 came to us and said “this is my son Kevin.” We found that Kevin was aged 8. “Please get my son out of here, if he continues staying here he won’t have a future. I am really worried for him. Look at me, I do not stay sober most of the time. My son sees everything I do. Please save him.” We turned to speak to Kevin who was so happy to speak to us. “Do you go to school?” He looked to us sadly and said, “I used to, but there was no food. I dropped out of school so as I would assist mum in looking for food. I help her in sorting garbage so as we can get enough kilos for sale.” He looked at us sharply and said “please take me with you and take me to school, I will work for you while I go to school.” We later told Kevin that we shall assist him go to school. The mother looked at us, gave lots of gratitude and smiled.
Once left on our own, we started wondering, how vulnerable homeless children are. Children like Kevin could easily become trafficked and be exposed to worst forms of child labour or any other forms of exploitation. We realise that this population requires a voice to speak on their behalf to the government. While still pondering about the little Kevin, we saw two blind people and other disabled people too who also live with the homeless. They are also not linked to either Association of the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK) or the Kenya Society for the blind (KSB). There is a necessity of making the linkages for these and all the homeless if possible. It was deemed that Consolation, Salama and NAREC would create together a strategy of advocating on behalf of the homeless and also create for them appropriate linkages.
