By Rebecca Gichana
Serving humanity is what the Red Cross Society founder Henry Dunant had in mind when he founded the society.
And Kenya Red Cross Nairobi branch youth carried along this noble course when they celebrated Red Cross Day last weekend. They visited Kayole Street Children Rehabilitation Centre, started in 2003 to help reform and educate street children.
According to David Arika who is the manager of the home, rescuing street children is not only an difficult task, but convincing them to leave the life they were used to in the streets is even harder.
“It is not easy. However, we are motivated by the desire to see these children grow just like other normal children. We take the children through reforming classes when they get to the centre and this takes time,” says Arika.
The centre is currently home to 80 children, most of whom are girls. Apart from education, reformed children also take part in developing their sporting abilities such as football, which is facilitated by Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA).
The youth and Red Cross staff donated clothes and sanitary pads to the centre.
Nairobi branch Red Cross coordinator Winnie Kananu, said helping the needy went miles in giving the children a big smile.
“I thank all who gave towards making this day a success. Generosity is a good gesture especially for these children who need it more,” said Kananu.
The children underwent sensitisation sessions on sexual and reproductive health, safety and security.
Generation Next caught up with 11-year-old Cythia Nyambura who was forced off school and into the streets to beg because her parents were not able to provide for her.
“I left home because my parents were not able to take care of me. I decided to start begging and one day I was caught by City Council askaris who brought me here. They told me I was going to get anything I wanted at the centre,” says Nyambura.
The Class Three girl believes that her future will be bright after going back to school and plans to work hard to be a news anchor just like her favourite television newscaster Mwana Hamisi Hamadi.
“I want to work harder in education and hope that one day I will be able to inform Kenyans on what is happening through the news. I like Mwana Hamisi because she is beautiful and has a good voice,” adds Nyambura.
Apart from being a skilled midfielder, Nyambura has also joined a dance group at the AIC Kayole. The centre houses children between age seven and 18.
