Fanfare as Mathare street children get early Christmas

A youth living on the streets (centre) receives food from Mamma Africa Mathare Centre’s Project Manager Mary Njeru (left) and founder Merinda D’ambrosio at the centre on Sunday. [PHOTO: NANJINIA WAMUSWA]

Christmas came early for more than 350 orphaned children from Mamma Africa Mathare Centre and approximately 200 others living and working on the streets of Nairobi and its environs who had a fun-filled day as they celebrated at the centre along Juja Road last Sunday.

The event dubbed 'Catalyze a Better Life' saw children participate in various activities such as acrobatics, drama, decorations, dances, bouncing castles, magic shows and face painting.

The children were also treated to entertainment by artistes and groups including Frenchboy historian, African yoga project, Room for giants and Green rangers.

Besides sumptuous meals that included servings of pilau, soda, chapati, juices, bread, yoghurt, fresh milk, sweets and meat cake, they also received take-home gift hampers.

Those in school got exercise books, pens and pencils.

Mamma Africa Mathare Centre founder Merinda D'ambrosio said it was a big day for children on the streets who are often overlooked, exploited and their rights denied.

 "I am privileged to help the less fortunate. Most of these children are talented in various fields but lack opportunities to realise their dreams," said Ms D'ambrosio.

 She urged the Government and other stakeholders to work together and address the issue of street children.

Good day

 Roseline Muthoni, a 24-year-old mother of one who lives on the streets praised the organisers of the party.

"This is a good day for us. We have received a lot of food, danced and got some presents," she said.

 Muthoni says she was born in Kiambu County and came to Nairobi seven years ago seeking employment as house help.

She claims the person who had promised her a job failed to pick her from the bus station when she arrived in Nairobi as earlier agreed.

She is one of hundreds of children on the streets.

Smiling faces

Nasreen Ali, the managing director of Glitterz, one of the main sponsors of the Christmas party, praised the event saying it was a big success and children had a good day.

 "After the party, we are looking to find sustainable solutions to assist these needy children," said Ms Ali.

She said they are happy to partner with Mamma Africa because of the impact its programmes and activities have on changing lives in Mathare.

Father David Kamau Mbugua of Capuchin Church in Nairobi's Westlands estate praised the efforts to put a smile on orphaned and street children's faces.

 "Everyone is planning to celebrate Christmas but few are thinking about street children. Most of them are just on the streets and will not have any celebration. This was a good day for them," said Father Kamau, who is also a professor at Catholic University of East Africa and Tangaza College.

Father Kamau says he and others are trying to address the street children problem through provision of basic education.

He says: "Mamma Africa Centre currently provides education to 350 children from Standard 1 to 8. This year, we launched the secondary school section and the first batch joins Form Two next year in this centre."

They also have a dress-making project for more than 50 women from Mathare slums, and clinics caring for minor illnesses in the slums.

 Among the sponsors of the event were Chandaria Industries, Glitterz, Pontifical Missionary Society Kenya Auto cars, Roy Transporters Ltd and Cake City.