Reflection

Kangemi is an informal settlement located in Nairobi, Kenya. It is estimated to have a population of approximately 100,000 residents, most of whom live in poverty. The population continues to fluctuate due to rural-to-urban migration. This has resulted in overcrowding and a range of social issues, including poor sanitation, prostitution, high HIV/AIDS prevalence, ethnic tensions, child abuse, criminal gangs influenced by delinquent youths, substance abuse, and alcoholism fuelled by the availability of illicit brew. In addition, child labour and gender-based violence are common.

In response to these challenges, the Jesuit Fathers and brothers from the Eastern Africa Province established St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Kangemi in May 1985. This parish remains the only Catholic presence in the area, serving over 10,000 people. The Jesuit Fathers and brothers in Kangemi have significantly impacted the impoverished and marginalised individuals in the community. Their dedicated work is rooted in promoting justice for all, and they run several programs to support this mission.

One of the programmes is the St. Joseph Upendo Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Education Programme. This program provides holistic support to orphaned and vulnerable children in the Kangemi slum of Nairobi. It was initiated in 1995 to offer love and care to those in need. The program targets explicitly orphaned, abandoned, sexually exploited, marginalised, and vulnerable children from the slums.

Another initiative is the St. Joseph Technical Secondary School, established in 2015. It aims to provide quality secondary education to the most vulnerable adolescents living in Kangemi slum. Additionally, this program offers vocational skills training in areas such as Hairdressing and Beauty, Electrical Installations, Fashion and design to empower youth from needy families with livelihood opportunities.

The third program implemented is the Uzima Programme, which focuses on empowerment. “Uzima,” meaning “life” in Swahili, represents their commitment to improving lives affected by various challenges such as HIV/AIDS. The programme provides psychosocial support through counselling services, nutritional assistance through food subsidies for families affected/infected with HIV/AIDS, medical support through referrals for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), livelihood empowerment for vulnerable women and youth, as well as transportation aid for SGBV victims seeking justice.

Through these initiatives, the Jesuits make a real difference in Kangemi by providing essential support and empowering individuals often overlooked or forgotten by society. The situation in Kangemi before the programme was dire. Young boys and girls faced constant threats of abuse, both physical and sexual, within their homes, schools, and public spaces. The effects of such abuses were devastating, destroying the futures of these innocent children and perpetuating a cycle of violence and despair. Something needed to change, which came in the form of the Upendo and Uzima’s Interventions.

Enhancing Community Safety: The Vital Role of Boda-Boda Riders and Parents in Protection Work

To address these complex issues, the programme adopted a comprehensive approach. One primary strategy was to engage with boda-boda (motorbike) riders. Unfortunately, some of them were involved in perpetrating sexual abuse against young girls. The objective was to transform these individuals into allies by providing them with training on preventing abuse and safeguarding vulnerable children in Kangemi.

It is disheartening that these groups would exploit the socio-economic circumstances of young women for their own gain. However, the transformation that has taken place within this group is truly remarkable. Through informative discussions and awareness-raising events, the boda-boda riders have been enlightened about how their actions profoundly affected the lives of children in their community. They realised that instead of being perpetrators, they could become protectors. Gradually but surely, these riders began to change their mindset and actively contribute towards putting an end to abuse.

Through our programmes, we have significantly impacted the community by providing parents and guardians with vital training on safeguarding and child protection. We have worked closely with paralegals and community health volunteers to increase awareness of child rights. As a result, cases of abuse are being identified and referred to the Uzima Program. This not only ensures that survivors receive the necessary support and medical treatment, but it also initiates legal action against the perpetrators. Our dedicated paralegals have been instrumental in accompanying survivors throughout the legal process, ensuring that justice is served bringing closure to those affected.

From Darkness to Light: Stories of Community and Personal Transformation

Another story of our programmes’ impact is the story of a young lady named “Jane.” Jane came from a family of four and tragically lost her mother, leaving her father as the sole provider and caregiver. He was struggling to make ends meet and ensure the well-being of his family. Jane’s father was overwhelmed, resulting in neglect and abandoning his parental roles that he simply couldn’t handle. Thankfully, someone who wanted the best for Jane referred her to Upendo.

When our team visited Jane’s home, we discovered a heartbreaking situation. Often, their house would be locked, and Jane and her siblings would go without food. The level of neglect was severe, and it became clear that immediate action was necessary. We enrolled Jane and her two brothers in our programme to provide them with educational opportunities and support. Additionally, we placed them with loving foster families who could offer them the care they needed.

Since then, our program has been there for Jane every step of the way. We supported her from primary school through secondary education, ensuring she had all the resources necessary to succeed academically. And now, in September of this year, we are thrilled to share that she has successfully joined college.

Jane’s story is just one example among many of how our program makes a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children like her. Through education opportunities and loving care, we aim to break cycles of neglect and empower these young individuals toward brighter futures.

These stories are a testament to the transformative power of the Upendo and Uzima Programme. By engaging the boda-boda riders and empowering the community through awareness, the programme has successfully created a sense of hope and resilience within Kangemi. The community is now aware of the importance of safeguarding children and has stepped up in reporting cases of abuse, leading to swift interventions and justice for the survivors.

Current Priorities in Safeguarding and Dreams for the Future

At St. Joseph’s Development Programmes, our top priority is ensuring the safety and protection of all individuals within our organisation. To achieve this, we have implemented a comprehensive safeguarding program. This program includes appointing a designated Safeguarding officer and assistant safeguarding officer and forming a Safeguarding committee consisting of both males and females.

We believe in the importance of continuous training and education on safeguarding. Therefore, we provide annual training for our staff members to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills. Additionally, we hold sensitisation forums for children, youth, parents, and boda-boda riders to raise awareness about safeguarding.

To promote transparency and accessibility, copies of our safeguarding policy are readily available to all staff members. We prominently display policy statements throughout our premises, which contain contact information for designated officers in case of suspicion or actual abuse.

When it comes to recruitment, we take safeguarding seriously. Applicants are informed that a certificate of good conduct is required during the application process. Moreover, during interviews, we prioritise candidates who demonstrate an understanding of good safeguarding practices.

To fulfil our mission, we have established a clear vision for the future and have outlined several goals. Our first objective is to strengthen our training programs by offering comprehensive instruction to beneficiaries and students. Furthermore, we intend to secure additional funding to ensure thorough investigation and follow-up of abuse cases. In addition, we are committed to expanding educational opportunities for a diverse group of individuals, including boys, girls, young men, women, and youth. We firmly believe that education and awareness are powerful tools that empower individuals to safeguard themselves against potential perpetrators.

References:

InfoTrack. (2019, November 04). InfoTrack. Retrieved from infotrakresearch.com: http://countytrak.infotrakresearch.com/nairobi%20-county