"I want to give the homeless a decent shot in life"

Shamit Patel, 30, the man behind the now famous Homeless of Nairobi, has dedicated his life to making life different for street children. He also speaks of why marriage and children are two things missing on his to-do list.

Take us back to the moment just before the idea for homeless of Nairobi was born...

I used to attend a gym in Parklands. Every day, I would see two homeless guys on the sides: Daniel and Mbugua.

They were always there – outside – whether it was raining or shining hot. I thought I should listen to their story.

 I bought bread and milk and went over. They shared the food with me to my shock. I realized they were human in every way and could do a little better than live on the streets.

And then ...

Humans of New York creator Brandon Stanton was coming to Kenya around the same time. I met him for five minutes. He told me to seize the opportunity and go on with it.

Why didn’t you act on it earlier in life?

I am from the middle class. There is apathy among us.

You see these people every day and you imagine they know how to sort their own mess.

We ignore or fear them. I started Homeless of Nairobi on Facebook so that I can tell their stories through photos and videos for people to understand that they are just human.

Have you lived in Kenya?

I was born and bred in Nairobi. I only moved out briefly, for three years, when I moved to the UK to undertake my undergraduate at John Morris University. I studied English, Literature and Electronic Creative Technology.

Growing up in Nairobi what did you think of the homeless?

I was conditioned to believe they were homeless. You feel their trouble but you are not able to help.

I sort of turned a blind eye. I don’t want people to make the same mistakes.

How did you meet Morris, the ‘opportunity’ boy?

We were doing a feeding session in town and we just shot the video. We were amazed by his brilliance.

We are happy he got a lot of attention and now has been sponsored to study up to university.

Homeless of Nairobi looks like a brilliant idea from a wise grey haired man: how old are you?

Huh! I am not too young. I have been around the block. But I don’t like discussing my age.

Come on; you are the founder of Homeless of Nairobi. Give me a number... I am 30

I was expecting you to say 45...

No. The beard gives me age. It makes me look older.

What are you hiding in that beard and Bohemian look?

(Laughs) I like Vikings. And I like the way when I walk into an office people look at me and judge.

 When I start talking, they realize, ‘this guy has a little bit of intelligence’. But I have always been like that since childhood.

I don’t believe we should all look the same. We should not just fit into society and its definitions. We should be ourselves.

So, even with the Mohawk and the earrings, you are not trying to be more handsome?

Trust me: that is the least of my concern. I don’t care how I look. This is just me. If people laugh I don’t really care.

There are two things I don’t give a damn about: I don’t care how people perceive me and I don’t need or want to be liked. I don’t do things to be liked.

What should change so that no one has to resort to the streets?

Education for all would be a good start. You know, the uneducated are likely to have unplanned pregnancies.

These kids lack care at home and move to the streets. But also there is a general sense that families are no longer safe havens for children to grow.

I guess there aren’t so many children in your future.

I don’t even know if I want kids. I believe we live in a world with so many children who need a home.

Seriously, why not just adopt these children? Why not take in the children that are there already?

But you will eventually settle down?

I don’t know. Rarely do I have long term plans.  The farthest I have planned my life is five months.

Probably things will change but as at right now I am not planning anything like that.

 Remember I don’t conform to beliefs that life has to progress a certain way; I just live one day at a time.

Is there a lady in your life?

Yes.

She is fine with your penchant for street families?

She is very supportive about it.

Morris, the street boy who charmed his way into Kenyan hearts, is looking for opportunity. What are you looking for?

I want the homeless to have somewhere they call home. Somewhere they can develop their skills and work on their talents. To give them a chance to live like everyone else.

Have you ever pictured yourself homeless?

Yes. There was this time I bashed the door of the family car on the wall.

I ran away to the streets. As 9pm approached, it hit me I will be sleeping out here with no food and no shelter. I went back home immediately.