THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDCARE TRUST - KENYA

STREET LIVES

March 2000 - page 3

Christmas for Street Kids

As many of LVCP's resident kids had at least gone home for a few days over Christmas, others for the whole holidays, we decided to give some of the estimated 350 kids currently on the streets of Kitale a day to remember. The idea being to introduce a different way of life to the younger ones before they become 'hard core', we organised a party for 70 invited children. Local businesses and individuals were invited to contribute anything they could to the occasion to which the response was overwhelming; from sheep to decorations, biscuits to soft drinks. In the end over 100 children between 3 and 14 years of age came and, luckily, there was still ample provision for everyone. All were given new clothes, a chance to get washed and be treated by our nurse, have lunch and dinner, snacks and to be entertained by the 'Flex' acrobats from Mombasa. The day was enjoyed by one and all. To end it all the kids boarded the bus (donated for the day) for the 7 km drive back from LVCP to Kitale.

Some argue that such occasions are tempting more children onto the streets, an argument one could use against any intervention that is not actually unpleasant for the children, and pre-supposes that many of these children are actually there by choice. The fact is that there is a culture of children growing up on the streets with little direction, no eduction and for many a very short life expectancy. For those who survive to adulthood they are illiterate denying them any democratic participation, they will have none of the skills required to survive in rural environments and only the most violent and destructive means to survive in an urban setting.

For intervention to be successful one must gain the trust of not only the child involved but of his peer group and his guardian or family, occasiones like this give us that opportunity. For the younger children removal from the streets and integration into other environments is fairly simple and straightforward. For the older 'hard core' this is less easy and often the only option is to offer a minimal education and health care through drop-in centres on the streets. This at least enables the child to make some of the choices we take for granted.

Mama Dear

by Karima Davids-Jacobs
Streets Publications (SA)

forgive me mother
i could not bear
the burden on my shoulders bare
those blows which ruined
your loving face
madness reigning on
papa's face

i know you only did your best
with what was left after
alcohol's fest
few were the crusts
we had to share
many the whippings
we could not bear

then i heard about this place
where streets were lined
with silver piece
the people realy cared
and hunger knew no name
grand living could be found
on every other street

these city lights they called to me
like bees to honey around a tree
and then the fires came
i saw a necklace
not of gold
it broke inside of me
i was ashamed to be

the fires raged that angry night
and deep inside i knew
not even the love deep in you
could keep me from the cold
i chanced a crust
from your sparce fuel
and ran towards the untold

what i found there 
were hearts so bare
only the biting cold
and on many a day not even a share
of those crust which you
so caringly shared
i was desouled

to guard against cruel hands at night
i had to learn about street fights
i stole and ran to who knows where
and then one night as i lay bare
you were not there to care
the tears that flowed formed
silver streets
and took away the cold

and then i saw amidst the ice
big wings that took away
my fear
they warmed and comforted as
they drew near
and took away my earthly life
mama ---------------
i still love you from up here

If you would like to help or require more information, contact us:
ICT-K, PO Box 1745, Kitale Kenya.
Tel: +254 54 31323
Fax: +254 325 30246
e-mail: ictk@africaonline.co.ke

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