By Gardy Chacha
Tucked away in the rugged alleys and streets of Nairobi’s Eastleigh is a youth centre where desolate young people are given a second chance in life.
On the verge of giving up, many young people’s hope in becoming something better has been revived at the Family Health Options Kenya Youth Centre in Eastleigh. Some have discovered their artistic talents while others now know they can actually take care of their bills instead of waiting for someone else to do it.
Angela Tatua, the centre’s director has the task of overseeing the process of transformation – from hopelessness to young men and women with big dreams.
She says the centre gives the young people an avenue to relinquish vices such as use of hard core drugs, thieving, gang memberships and dangerous sexual behaviour, among other irksome lifestyles that have driven many to death.
Moulded notable acts
Over many years, the centre has moulded many notable acts. One such success story is Eunice Wambui, the Vitimbi star, Nyasuguta. Nyasuguta joined the youth group right after high school in 2002, after realising that if she stayed at home without doing anything she could likely sink into despair.
She became part of a progressive group that set its eyes on achieving goals in the face of adversity.
“There was no prospects for me after finishing high school. When I heard about the youth centre in 2003, I knew that is where my opportunity was. I haven’t looked back since,” Nyasuguta told The Standard.
Tatua says: “Instead of wasting away in a life of crime and prostitution, drug peddling or idleness, here they have various ways they can engage in positive activities. The result is that they grow upright and with a better shot at success.”
Once they get the opportunities at the centre, the youth become active in many ways.
Some become peer educators after going through the centre’s health services programme. Others have acquired skills that have enabled them to employ many other young people.
Ashika Magdalene, who works at the centre, remembers living in an empty bubble with nothing to do and negative thoughts seeping into her mind.
She says: “Once enrolled, the youth engage in different productive projects; get exposed to skills that would help them know how to be in charge of their sexuality and have responsible sexual behaviour. It is really good when we convert what may look as a crumbled youth into a productive future.”
Nurture talents
Classes and technical learning units have been created to nurture different talents.
Those who choose tailoring are prepared to dress the mighty while computer lessons position them for the competitive digital world and salon skills ready them for the lucrative beauty business. Bead making offers a quick way of making money as they sell their beautiful products at exhibitions and other open markets.
Farhiya Dawood is a young woman who volunteers as a mentor to upcoming talent.
Dawood says: “Young people often chew and sell miraa to keep themselves busy. Culturally, girls around here rarely get educated, meaning that when they grow up they fall into vices like prostitution to earn a living. I have trained some of them and I am currently mentoring those we’ve opened businesses for. It’s satisfying to see them take up these opportunities instead of wandering the streets.”
Mary Mulwa’s life nearly sunk into the world of drug abuse and carefree lifestyle.
“When I was in Form Three, I abused drugs. Bhang was part of my diet which tethered my life on instant gratification and bliss,” she says.
Misery
Later she realised when she was not high, the misery she was trying to run away from was still present.
“I was ruining my life. When I realised where I was heading, I made a commitment to stop and decided to live a clean life; doing something positive,” says Mulwa.
Josephine Wanjiru, who mentors youths at the centre, says she uses her experience to encourage them to be self-reliant.
“There is nothing as good as living your life productively. Idleness and recklessness throws away everything.”
Dissipate energy
Those interested in pursuing a career in sports have a chance to do so and a vibrant drama team generates actors.
Drama provides budding thespians, poets, actors, musicians and choreographers with a stage to audaciously dream of a better future. “I have always wanted to produce commercials,” says Robert Kamau, a young man in the drama group.
“At home, I was locked in a world without possibilities, doing nothing and wasting away, but when I joined the drama club, I began another journey to realise my dreams.”
With the help of International Planned Parenthood Federation, Family Health Options Kenya is determined to change the lives of young people who knock its doors and give them a second chance.