Dagoretti Child in Need Project, Kenya
In a small kitchen at the Dagoretti Child in Need Centre, Amos Ndung’u carefully puts finishing touches to a white and orange cake. The cake will be shared among the centre’s 180 children as a pre-Christmas treat. As he waits for the icing to set, we ask Amos what problems children at the centre face.
He replies saying: ‘Many of the children are orphans who live on their own or with foster parents. Others come from very poor homes. Many children in this situation choose to fend for themselves. They drop out of school to go and look for work, or leave home altogether to make a living on the street. Then there are children who come from abusive homes. In many cases, children have to work to increase the family’s income’.
Amos’ story
Former street child Amos Ndungu has received support and training from AMREF. he is now helping other street children. ‘My mother brought me and my six siblings to Nairobi after my parents separated. She did odd jobs like washing clothes to raise money to feed us. I too herded cattle and worked on farms to earn money. There was never enough to eat. Life was hard.
Then in 2005, my sister found her way to the centre. She would tell us about the games they played. She was being trained in theatre, dancing and videography. I came to the Centre in 2005. I was advised to come every day and take part in the activities. After a year, if I showed a willingness to improve my life, I would be supported to learn a trade of my choice.
Every morning we had discussion sessions. We were taught life skills, and encouraged to have enough self-love and respect. There were sessions on drug abuse, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and STDs. I played football and volleyball. I also learnt tae kwon do and videography.
After a year at the centre, I was sponsored by AMREF to learn cooking and bakery at the Maria Restaurant and Training Centre in Kawangware. One day, I got home to find my mother and siblings gone. I was alone. The AMREF centre helped me to get a place to stay at Dagoretti for Kids, a shelter for destitute children. I still live there.
At night, I speak to the children and tell them to keep away from drugs as they will only spoil their chances of making it in life. I talk to them about HIV/AIDS and how to avoid it. Often I go to the Dagoretti Centre and when the children there see how things are looking up for me, they are impressed. They ask me many questions about the work I do and what it takes to get there. I do my best to encourage them.
I have become a better person. I have hope that I will make it in life. I have a vision of where I want to go and who I want to be. The training has helped me to have confidence in myself. I want to pass this hope and vision to other children in the same situation as I was in’.