THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDCARE TRUST - KENYA

STREET LIVES

December 1999 - page 1

A Brief Background

Liyavo Village Community Project was first established in 1992 in response to the large numbers of displaced families and the resulting numbers of homeless children chased from their homes by the genocide of ethnic cleansing that swept through Kenya in the first half of this decade. ICT-K, the founding organisation, distributed food, shelter, blankets and other essentials to the thousands of refugees camped around Trans Nzoia, Uashin Gishu, West Pokot, and Baringo Districts. Liyavo became a haven for those with nowhere else to go. As the clashes subsided Women's Groups and Agricultural Co-ops were implemented. 'Trans Nzoia Children in Need' project was started in Kitale town during 1994. It was the first project to combine drop-in centre with residential care for the growing numbers of street children. Not only the clashes but HIV/AIDS, endemic poverty and insecurity had and was forcing an increasing number of children away from their homes and eventually onto the streets of Kitale. Life on the streets is enticing and exciting for a few, for most kids it becomes a living hell; hunger and cold soon take their toll. The child often turns to 'sniffing' solvents for solace, this, in turn, leads to antisocial behaviour which leads to confrontation with established society. The spiral has begun which will end in prison, hospital or the morgue. Trans Nzoia Children in Need has been particularly successful in getting kids off the streets and into formal education and skills training. Trans Nzoia Children in Need and Liyavo Village Community Project were combined in 1998 and continue to offer residential care for up to 200 children. Since their inception the projects have managed to keep over 400 children off the streets; many have been reunited with families while an increasing number are graduating from Skills Training and leaving to lead independent lives. Independent sponsorship has also been found for those who qualify to enter university or 'middle schools'. The continued success of the LVCP is a source of great pride for the staff, management and donors alike.

Focus on a Child.

Aswan Ambani joined ICT-K at our Kibos drop-in project in August 1997. His father had been arrested and was imprisoned for child abuse and negligence against Aswan. With no other relatives the Kitale police asked us to intervene and take Aswan from the police cells where he was living. Then 6 years old, Aswan was a sorry sight and quickly picked up the nickname of 'little old man' because of the deep lines of concern that had already scarred his young face. He was covered in scabies and with obvious signs of undernourishment and general neglect. Worms and jiggers compounded his problems. Asked if he would like to go home he replied he would rather stay in the cells at the police station.
Aswan, now a healthy 8 year old, lives at Liyavo Village Community Project Children's Centre along with 190 other children from a variety of backgrounds. Having passed through LVCP remedial classes at the project he is currently in form one at Liyavo Primary School and attains an average grade. He especially enjoys art.

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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Child's drawing