KOINON IA NEWS

Volume 1, Issue 2 December 2010 KOINONIA Marching for Children's Rights We belong to each other Lihanda did not leave it at that. H e s u g g e s t e d s o m e Inside this issue interventions that were to be implemented as follows; there be Marching for a sensitization programme on Children's Rights 1 children's rights at school level, Letter from kizito 1 organizing forums with media Homeward Bound 2 and the community, analyzing

Aiming to Excel 3 the challenges and problems of Nuba Wrestling drug and alcohol sale and use, In 4 developing family life orientation The Koinonia Children programmes and embracing a Team Tour in Italy 4 conducive learning environment Taking Lead in Rehabilitating for all regardless of the 5 background and disability. From the Low Streets to High Fashion 6 The march came hot on the heels 15 Boys from Tone la Maji . of an intensive six months Graduate in Computer Studies 7 process of creating awareness New Sport Shoes for on the state of children's rights in Tone la Maji Football Team 7 December 11 marked a unique entry puppeteers led the way to the our local communities. It was To South By Matatu 7 of marching for children's rights at terminus, attracting huge crowd on the a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h Children the heart of Kibera slums in Nairobi road side in addition to putting at Ndugu Mdogo Rescue . The peaceful procession w o r k s h o p s / t r a i n i n g s a n d Learn from Danish Artistes 8 business on a standstill. . was organised by Koinonia Action meetings targeting people in the Free Physiotherapy Provides south of Nairobi. A major Hope to Disabled Destitute 9 for Peace (KAP) in collaboration Entertainment of all categories was conference was also held in with youth united for peace in Kenya staged at the arena, as children and Nairobi on December 4 that ( Y U P K ) . . public took a back seat to enjoy the deliberated on the Children's Koinonia Newsletter 2010. rest of the day. Quite a few short The day began on a chilly morning rights issues. . Published by the Koinonia speeches sprinkled here and there as Media Centre. with thousands of enthusiastic the day got warmer. . children, civil rights activists, KAP is a new initiative of Koinonia launched mid this year. parents and the public adjusting to Children's representative Victor Its mission is to promote start off the short journey aimed at Lihanda said in his speech,” In Kenya, Koinonia is a lay Christian sustainable peace in informal Community with a proclaiming the rights of children. most of us are exploited and lured into s e t t l e m e n t s a n d l o c a l commitment to the plight of The mood of the day could be read forced labour under poor conditions. communities in Kenya. The marginalized members of the from the majority, who proudly came Some of us live in deplorable initiative was conceived with the society, especially street in white t-shirts and blue caps conditions, with little or no water and children, women and young aim of reducing levels of conflict carrying banners with a catchy food, with no sanitary service people from deprived in the marginalized areas of the message: “All rights for all children”. whatsoever. Many are denied the backgrounds. country caused by socio- The march kicked off at Nairobi's rights to an education, just to mention Our initiatives are found in economic, political and cultural Kibera, Kamukunji grounds, ending but a few.” . Kenya, and the Nuba at Kibera DC grounds. Bands and barriers. Mountains of .

Koinonia Community Letter from Fr. Kizito Shalom House It is the end of a year that was still difficult for us in Nairobi, but marked by hope and the resumption of St Daniel Comboni Road, normal life in our homes, together with the boys and girls with whom we have chosen to share a part of P. O. Box 21255, 00505 our life journey. It was a big step forward from the very difficult moments of 2009. Nairobi, Kenya. www.koinoniakenya.org I want to thank all those who have remained close to us and supported us with their friendship. Finally, after more than a year of investigation, the Kenya Attorney General has instructed the Police to close the file because not a shred of evidence has been found to support any of the accusations.

Your friendship has been for me and for all boys and girls of Koinonia, a source of strength. The Baby Jesus that we are getting ready to receive in our hearts will bind us together even more, And renew our determination to always stay close to Him. Have a nice Christmas, Fr. Renato Kizito Sesana,mccj. Homeward Bound

This new approach was adopted The small house was a new approach was a success in its female neighbour, who gave her after the Koinonia social workers beehive of activity, unusual first year. . shelter for the night and brought for a Sunday afternoon in realized that almost every child her to Ndugu Mdogo Rescue roaming the streets of Nairobi has Kibera. A group of adults and “We were able to reintegrate 27 out Centre the following morning. a parent, an aunt, a grandmother children bustled about in the of the 30 children we admitted a year . or guardian somewhere. In most kitchen, preparing steamed ago,” Jack said. “Only three children cases, they have simply adopted rice, beef stew and cabbage could not be reintegrated.” “We usually admit only boys, but sauté. A short while later they the drifter's lifestyle as a recourse we felt we had to address her from an unbearable home sat down to share lunch in the Jack said the three children came case too,” Matika said . environment. . living room, chatting and from families with deep-seated sipping soda as they enjoyed problems that would certainly The social workers were Previously, a child would go their platefuls. . impede their reintegration, mostly fortunate enough to find her through a one-year preparatory issues around extreme deprivation, mother in another part of Kibera. phase at the Rescue Centre This simple meal was the violence and abuse of alcohol. The The girl moved into her mother's before being transferred to one of centre point of a small three will be referred to Koinonia's tiny shack and began attending the main Koinonia children's celebration. The children main children's homes. . counselling sessions at the homes for more comprehensive were all former street boys Rescue Centre. Her formation f o r m a t i o n . . rescued from the streets of Back at the Rescue Centre, a few was also successful and she is Nairobi last year, and on this parents shed tears as they regarded The rehabilitation process now now a Grade Six pupil at a local day, their parents and their little boys, little angels who had starts right on streets. The social s c h o o l . guardians had come to take previously vanished into the streets, workers identify the children and them home after one year of now seated calmly in their brand create friendship with them. They Jack and his fellow social rehabilitation at the Ndugu new uniforms, ready to accompany engage the children in sporting workers will continue to follow the Mdogo Rescue Centre. Each them home and resume their activities and welcome them to progress of the children after boy was equipped with a schooling. Three Muslim boys made drop by the Rescue Centre, schoolbag, schoolbooks and their parents very proud; they had their reintegration. Ever y whenever they can, for a hot meal uniforms, and the Centre had faithfully progressed through their Saturday they will all assemble at and a bath. . already arranged for their Madrasa (religious classes) at the the Rescue Centre to share their placement in local schools. local mosque without prodding from experiences. The social workers With time, the children open up, anyone. . will pay regular visits to each and the social workers get a This group of children was child's home and school to chance to understand the the first to graduate from a There was one girl among the 27 ensure everything is going well, situation that drove them take to n e w a c c e l e r a t e d children, a unique case. The girl, the streets. This information helps a n d t h e y h a v e a l r e a d y r e h a b i l i t a t i o n m e t h o d aged about 11, was not rescued from the social workers trace each discussed the temptation to run adopted at the Centre. The the streets. She was brought to the child's closest relative or away from home and back to new approach aims to take Centre by a neighbour to protect her guardian, with whose approval the freewheeling streets. children off the streets and from her father. The girl's mother had they admit the child into the reunite them with their abandoned the family, leaving her Rescue Centre. The next step is “We have tried our best to impart parents or immediate under the care of the father. then to tackle the immediate guardians within one year by Unfortunately, the father had slipped in them that running away does problem facing the child, often a first tracing each child's into depression and alcoholism, and not solve anything,” Jack said. drug addiction or the haunting immediate relatives and then on one night he arrived home “Instead, we encouraged them effects of an abusive past. isolating the reason behind extremely inebriated and tried to the child's sojourn on the take advantage of his own daughter. T h e R e s c u e C e n t r e ' s street. . Panicking, the girl escaped though Coordinator, Jack Matika, said the the window and ran screaming to a Aiming to Excel

Koinonia's Domus Marie Judging from the speeches at the As if to prove their level of discipline, School seeks excellence as it meeting, it is clear Domus Mariae is the students were remarkably neat in holds its 2010 Annual raring to build a strong tradition their white shirts, maroon pullovers General Meeting. This year, founded on academic excellence, and well pressed navy blue trousers, the two-year-old school has keen discipline, community service and all of them were shod in gleaming presented its pioneer and the provision of opportunity to black shoes. . candidates for the Kenya b r i g h t s t u d e n t s f r o m p o o r Certificate of Secondary backgrounds. . The principal was full of praise for Education. School's PTA and the teachers. He Elizabeth Owiso strode The school's PTA chairwoman, Ms. also paid tribute to the Koinonia confidently towards the Amina Karama, informed the Community and its founder, Fr. lectern amid clapping from gathering at the AGM that the Renato Kizito Sesana, for building her fellow students, teachers candidate class would spend two and continuing to support the school. and parents. She stood extra weeks in school during the briefly, her hands clasped April holidays so that the teachers “Domus Mariae is a young school,” together, before shaking can accelerate the syllabus towards Mr. Apiyo summed up. “We started out hands with the man behind completion, freeing more time for in January 2008 and we keep the microphone . revision later in the year. improving. Our donors have already constructed the facilities; it is now “This is the student who will Ms. Karama also announced plans upon us to build a strong tradition that emerge tops in the national to reprise a volunteer community is unique to Domus Mariae.” examinations next year,” Mr. service programme that the school Bernard Muthengi, the Dean h a d i n i t i a t e d l a s t y e a r . Koinonia's Administrator, Esther of Studies at the Domus Kabugi, confirmed the organization's Mariae Secondary School, “Last year's community service dedication the school's development. predicted as Elizabeth initiative was very successful, and received her prize for best we received impressive feedback “Our commitment is to ensure the student in the school's senior from the places where our students youth are well educated and well c l a s s . volunteered. We will do it again this groomed to face the future,” Ms. y e a r, ” M s . K a r a m a s a i d . K a b u g i a s s u r e d t h e s c h o o l Elizabeth and several other community. s t u d e n t s w e r e b e i n g School principal Peter Apiyo awarded at the school's 2010 commended the parents and Annual General Meeting guardians for their cooperation and (AGM) for being the best in for allowing the teachers to infuse academics, sports, personal discipline without interference. He improvement, discipline and however urged them to prevent their exemplary leadership. children from carrying mobile phones to school because they This year will be a turning have been used in other schools to point for Domus Mariae. For cheat in examinations and to access the first time, the two-year-old negative aspects of the internet, school will have its Form Four especially violent and pornographic class sitting for the Kenya material. . Certificate of Secondary E d u c a t i o n ( K C S E ) “We deal with discipline very examinations, and the school decisively, and we thank the parents community has begun for allowing us to instill discipline preparing early for good using our trained hands,” Mr. Apiyo r e s u l t s . said. . Nuba wrestlers won Koinonia's i n a u g u r a l A f r i c a n w r e s t l i n g Nuba Wrestling In Nairobi tournament in Nairobi. On Saturday 20 March, Koinonia's sports association, SYDI, organized an African wrestling tournament in Nairobi, modelling on the 3,000 year- old tradition of the sport in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. .

The contest involved three teams. The Kivuli Bull Wresters represented Nairobi, there was a team from Kakamega (Western Kenya) and the toast of the day a team from the Nuba Mountains. .

Unlike the stunt-laden wrestling matches common on television, the simple aim of each African traditional wrestler is to slam his opponent down on his back. The Nuba team won the tournament with nine points out of ten, followed by Kivuli with five points and Kakamega with two points.

Please click on the video link below to catch a glimpse of what went down at the tournament.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- tEDglg34vk&feature=player_embed ded

The Koinonia Children Team Tour in Italy

13 children, a trainer and a social worker - have toured Italy from April 7 to May 18. Everywhere they performed a show entitled Simba na Mende (the Lion and the Cockroach) a traditional African tale about the importance of water for life, and a variety of mimes, songs, dances, acrobatics.

An enthusiastic public applauded them in Bari, Putignano, Matera, Potenza, Numana (Ancona), Riccione, Bologna, Santarcangelo di R o m a g n a , C a v a l l i n o (Venice), Brugherio, Lodi, Milan, Lecco, Verbania, Turin, Perugia, Assisi and Rome.

It was also a time of learning, visiting historical places and museums, praying, doing new experiences. In Turin the group prayed in front of the Holy Shroud, in Assisi, on May 16, participated to the Perugia-Assisi Peace March (25 km), that attracted more that 100,000 people, mostly youth, in front of them at the arrival. .

In Rome they had the honor of having among their public a delegation of the Kenya Embassy. ceremony is organized for the Taking Lead in Rehabilitating Street Children children ready for reintegration with their families. Celebrating their life and times at the center, The children share their thought with their remaining comrade's, social workers and parents as they share a common meal .

A follow up mechanism is put in place. This enable the children adopt to the family realities with assurance of a continuous educational support through a c o m p r e h e n s i v e o u t r e a c h program.

“One challenge experienced during this process is the stigmatization of the children by the society who view them as criminals due to their street past and this is felt also at family level,” stresses Buluma.

Friday 3 December 2010 marked a memorable moment for Ndugu Mdogo Center located in Kerarapon in the outskirts of Nairobi. 10 children were reintegrated to their families. Through an initiative known as family to family, a group of "The taste of street life is bitter, rescue center personnel spends 3 when possible a network of family families in Italy have devoted and only those who have months of intensive scouting at members is involved. This process themselves to support Kenyan experienced it have the right to street level to understand and share takes about one year. After that, if families in a transformative speak about it" say Duncan, a life experience with the children. possible, the children are reunited process which enables them to twenty years old boy who is Through this experience the with their parents. On its side the care for the reintegrated children now in technical training and personnel are able to identify the program staff makes a pledge to who have had street life hopes to be self-employe most vulnerable children. A decision continue educational support. experience and prevent those within the next six months. He is then made together with the within the families from being adds "I do not know I was able children, with some being taken to It is to be noted that not all the children lured to the streets. to stand what happened to me. the centers while others are placed are able to reunify with their families. Now, when I think about it, I in an outreach program. This could be as a result of the feel like crying. At that time I as unstable state of the child or the very careful not to shed tears, Bokada Buluma, a Koinonia unfavorable conditions that exist tears are a sign of weakness, Community's street mediator, says,” within the family relational networks. and in the streets you cannot We do street visits to participate and The children are therefore referred to show weakness". Yet it is share with the children the hustles secondary rehabilitation level, estimated that the children and bustles of street life. They have sending them to residential homes going each day and night to test us, otherwise nothing can run by Koinonia Community. through such desperate life happen. In the meantime we can are over 60,000 in the streets offer a smile where none exists.” In these homes they are offered an of the Nairobi. opportunity to enjoy all their rights At the center the children are placed through an individualized approach Koinonia is among the NGos in simple academic, educational that aims at resolving their relational based in Nairobi Kenya that and rehabilitation programs which challenges and those of their families make a special effort to gradually help them to regain a 'Building consensuses'. address this issue by rescuing sense of future and direction in life. the little children left in The process takes few months and The children are again prepared for vulnerable situations. The after the children have adjusted to family reunification through a session number of children under their new context at the center, they t h a t a d d r e s s e s t h e i r f e a r s , rehabilitation and the length of start a methodology of rehabilitation uncertainties, interests and they are it experience - Koinonia stared that addresses their traumatic equipped with life skills. Their family this work in 1995 - makes it one experiences through group therapy networks are at that moment of the most effective agencies and individual counseling sessions. engaged in responding to the in this area. The NGO has six “The children are introduced to concerns of the children through a centers situated in different different aspects of social well being process dubbed family group localities within and in the with emphasis on behavior change decision making. outskirts of Nairobi. and socialization, education, health With the participation of the child, the care and talent development. We do strength and weakness of the families Ndugu Mdogo Rescue center not leave out spiritual formation, are evaluated and a realistic plan is is one of Koinonia's model according to the different faith developed for each family to be able programs. It is operating from traditions, as chosen by the to transform the family environment. a small house located in the children" says Buluma. Buluma affirmes, “The intervention heart of Kibera - often referred r a n g e s f r o m e c o n o m i c to as the biggest slum in Africa During their time at the center the empowerment, dealing with drug and - and it rescues children relationship between the children alcohol addiction, family health care directly from the streets. and their families is regenerated and family traditions”. Before accepting the street with a focus on resolving the kids into the house, even as a problem that led them to the streets, With the plans in place, a short temporary measure, the From the Low Streets to High Fashion

NGO Amani to enable young when Pinky Ghelani introduced Italians to volunteer in Africa. Amani the G2G Collection as the implements the work camp every creation of former street girls. year in partnership with the J u s t i n t i m e w i t h t h i s Koinonia Community, a non-profit introduction, the first G2G model organization that runs Anita's Home emerged in African print trousers and several other projects in and a loose Western-style Kenya, Zambia and Sudan. maroon top. Cameras flashed as The time Grazia spent at Anita's the next model strutted her way Home had a profound effect on her. out in a brown African kitenge Most of the girls at the Home were blouse and European-style either rescued from the streets or trousers, drawing applause from were born to single parents without the sizable crowd ringing the the proper means to take care of catwalk. them. The centre met their basic Grazia says the originality of the needs and provided an education, G2G designs has already drawn but Grazia felt there was a need to considerable attention. A few assist those who were not l o c a l c o m p a n i e s h a v e guaranteed of a future through expressed interest in stocking formal education. She felt it was products from the collection and necessary to equip them with some the group has also received practical skill that would earn them some orders from Italy through a living. their website. Grazia shared this idea with her Grazia wants to ensure G2G friend, Italian stylist Roberta gains a firm footing on the Vincenzi, and six years later in Kenyan market before she February this year, they travelled returns to Italy, from where she together to Anita's Home to launch will work to introduce the G2G. collection onto the European They identified a pioneer group of and American fashion markets. “ eight girls, and for two weeks My motivation is to assist the Roberta, taught them the basics of girls get employment; that is why the craft. They learned how to I am volunteering. I could always handle a sewing machine, how go back home to Italy and get a develop designs, work with good job,” she explains. patterns and how to sew straight without weaving off course. “My dream is to achieve a fashion centre, a sort of complex “They learned very fast even where production, training and though most of them had never selling all go on, hopefully along even touched a sewing machine Ngong Road,” Grazia muses before,” Grazia says proudly. when asked about the future of A social enterprise at Anita's Monica was devastated. Widowed The group operates from a small G2G. “I hope the girls will have Home helps former street before the age of eighteen and her room at Anita's Home with just eight the skills to run everything on girls earn a living by making future suddenly a thick cloud of mist, sewing machines: four of them their own when this time comes, fashionable clothes for she had no idea how she would manual and four electric. They work including administration and women. support herself and her unborn six hours a day, starting at nine in marketing. We will introduce the morning and punching out at One year ago at the age of 17, child. some management training for three in the afternoon, Monday Monica Nzembi dropped out Her hope was rekindled last them in the future.” through Friday. of high school to marry her February when two Italian ladies The G2G project does not have slightly older boyfriend. founded Get Together Girls (G2G), The G2G products are all any external funding and Grazia handmade. Their couture covers all A former street girl, Monica a fashion project for former street sustains it from her own body sizes, and they target both the h a d g r o w n u p a t a girls at Anita's Home. The project personal savings. She gives Kenyan and international markets. each girl a $4 daily allowance, a rehabilitation centre for targets former street girls who are “In Africa, our target is the middle former street girls on the unable to continue with their m o d e s t a m o u n t t h a t class,” Grazia explains. “We make nevertheless makes an impact outskirts of Nairobi. She had education and especially single classy garments for them using found a family and an mothers like Monica who have no considering the high levels of African materials such as the poverty and unemployment in education at Anita's Home, income. Its objective is to help these kitenge.” and the following year she girls achieve self-reliance. Kenya. On July 3, the G2G Collection was scheduled to sit for her Despite having existed for just The project is run by Grazia participated at a premier fashion secondary school certificate about half a year, the project is Orsolato, an Italian lady who first and beauty expo held at the when she chose marriage already touching lives. It has for came to Anita's Home in the Westgate Mall in Nairobi. The three over everything else. instance become Monica's sole summer of 2004. day event hosted by former Miss A few months afterwards A professional in administration, hope for her future and that of India-Kenya Pinky Ghelani her little baby girl. while she was heavily Grazia worked in Milan for 13 years featured the crème de la crème of “From my earnings I have my pregnant, her husband left for as a customer administration East Africa's fashion industry. own place, I can afford a the city centre and simply manager with Pirelli. In 2004 she Prominent design houses, fashion babysitter, and G2G has never returned. A frantic chose to spend her vacation as a magazines, indie creators and reunited me with so many search for him began when volunteer in Africa instead of taking franchise owners were all present, friends I had left behind at Anita's he did not show up for three the traditional Western holiday at including Sylvia Owori, the eminent Home. I feel less lonely because days, and it was two long the seaside or some other exotic Ugandan designer whose creations we lean on each other”, Monica weeks before his mangled getaway. Aged 32 at the time, have been modelled in Milan and says with a sigh. body was found at a public Grazia had won a place in a “work Paris. morgue, the cause of death camp” sponsored by the Italian The crowd's interest was roused unclear. 15 Boys from Tone la Maji Graduate in Computer Studies

15 boys from Tone la Maji aged between 16 18 years graduated with Certificates in Computers Foundation Course on Tuesday, August 17. The Training was conducted for 3 month at Shalom IT center, an affiliate of Koinonia Community. The certificates award ceremony was officially graced by Antony kamau- Tone la Maji Project Manager, Fr. Kizito and Work campers after the Tuesday evening Mass

Referendum Vote in Kivuli Centre, Nairobi New Sport Shoes for Tone la Maji Football Team

4 August 2010 marked the first ever voting Tone la Maji football team got a boost processes to be held in in its sports kit with a donation of new one of our centers. From sports shoes by its sister center five o'clock in the Ndugu Mdogo Rescue in June. morning people were The Rescue Center donated in waiting patiently to vote support of bringing the centers the for the draft together and improving the social well Constitution. The queues being of the children at the centers. were long but the The shoes will help the tone la Maji determination was high. football team improve in their quality Results will be out in two o f p l a y i n g f o o t b a l l . days time. Fr. Kizito, Projects heads from both side and well wishers were among A video report by the people who witnessed he Arianna azzolini occasion. http://vimeo.com/138806 21

To South Africa By Matatu

Two Italian NGOs - namely primary school, Tubalange, and L'Altropallone and Karibu the following day they organized Africa - , have organized a a tournament in Kanyama, one of "Matatu" trip from Nairobi to the most populous compounds in South Africa.(“Matatu” is what L u s a k a . public transport minibuses are called in Kenya). The aim of We, the Mthunzi football team, the trip is to promote football won in the under 17 category. as a game that brings people Their matatu developed some together across race and tribe, mechanical problems in the and of course as an enjoyable meantime but our mechanic, physical activity . C h a v u , f i x e d i t .

Wherever the travellers go, The presence of these matatu they stop and organize small travellers in Mthunzi was an tournaments with local occasion for a lot of drumming children. They arrived in and dances. Much to our regret, on June 5, in a team of they left for Kafue and Zimbabwe five people, and we organized t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y . to receive them. That same day we played together in our By Protazio Phiri, Children at Ndugu Mdogo Rescue Learn from Danish Artistes

Modern art is known as a child was issued with a black phases, where a chorographer will centre of attraction on the d-day. p o w e r f u l t o o l o f umbrella with instructions to paint take the children through a short “This will bring the Kenyan communication. One drawing inside and outside the cover of the dance piece with the painted children and those from Denmark can be interpreted in a million umbrella. . u m b r e l l a s ” , s a i d M u k a b i . together in their minds. The dimensions. With all this in western world tends to forget that mind Jan Lundum an art Inside the cover was to express the Being the facilitator of the day, children in need are like their own teacher at Silkeborg Højskole fears and troubling situations the Mukabi was comfortably throwing the children that they should protect”, in Denmark made it to Kenya children had gone through. On the shots of the day's programme. stated Lundum. . with a delegation of 10 of his outside the laid colours and Children excitement flew over the students. The mission was drawings were to send a message of serene environment. With great James Mweu, the chorographer clear, to make the vulnerable the expectation of the children, anticipation and palpability the had something unique for the children communicate their hopes and future aspiration to be children cracked their heads to recall children; teaching them how to fears and strength through specific. . their best and worst moments putting dance and perform some the medium of visual arts and all in a figurative painting. acrobatic spins with the umbrella address the need for shelter. “This exercise is also aimed at entirely delivered through exploring talents from children and On his perception about art, Mukabi juggling, facial expressions and Visual arts are art forms that their products to be sold at an art sated: “I focus on the positive part of body movements. . create works which are exhibition which means that they will life in my art work. No one wakes with primarily visual in nature. The not only be dependent on donations their problems written on their faces. “The children are getting the team's emphasis was on from well wishers and the donor No matter the situations one still experience of an umbrella which drawing and painting. Having community but use their skills to cracks jokes and moves on with life.” is one artistic displine to a prop in on black t-shirts labeled Ly- generate money to sustain their a performance”, said Mweu Danish for shelter and livelihoods”, said Lundum. 11 years old Tobia Muide, was keen to during the vigorous exercise. Makaazi Swahili for shelter, bring his fears out in a pictorial. As he the team landed in Kibera at Patrick Mukambi, a professional sat down to put the paint and brush to The majority of the street children Ndugu Mdogo on Saturday artist in Nairobi was part of the work, his undistorted vivid would not wish to continue with O c t o b e r 3 0 . P a i n t i n g exercise that saw over 25 street recollection emanated to a sketchy street life and need a better life if materials, colours and children holding their brushes for the house design. On its side, some given an opportunity. About 77 per umbrellas filled their bags weekend art practice session. He inferno pulling the house down. cent reported that they would not ready to make the children has been in the industry for 12 wish to continue with street life, drill their brains. . years. Although trained as a ” I drew the house burning in clear while only 23 per cent wished to graphics designer he found his memories of was happened during continue with street life. This is “The uniqueness of this strength on fine art which helps him the post election violence and that's according to The African Network exercise is for the children to express his ideas freely to earn him my greatest fear,”said Muide timidly for the Prevention and Protection tell an enticing or troubling a living. He has worked with many while scraping the paint brush with against Child Abuse and Neglect story that can be felt within a organizations on children projects his fingers. . (ANPPCANN) study. shelter which is symbolized teaching them on how to be creative by the umbrella,” said and expressing themselves using The art work will not remain at that, a Lundum. . the art of painting. . big exhibition this month in Denmark showcasing the art from Kenya on An emblematical umbrella “I have been working with this children rights issue is underway was used to signify protection Danish academy for 3 years through which will run for 2 to 3 months. All the through shelter and security. painting exercises and studio products including the umbrella that In a swanked ground each drawing. The project will run in two were done by the children will be the Special feature: Free Physiotherapy Provides Hope to Disabled Destitute

Paolo's Home is a ray of hope to the disabled children from poor backgrounds but its resources are dwindling.

Paolo's Home, the centre was to rehabilitate the children with group of Paolo's friends, who had The initiative has an Outreach established in response to a disabilities.” visited Nairobi and Kibera, pledged to P r o g r a m m e w h e r e t h e realization that there were People with disability are still support a project that would keep his p h y s i o t h e r a p i s t a n d t h e many physically disabled stigmatized in Kenya, and although memory alive and carry on with his counsellor visit the homes of children seeking assistance disabled children basically have the commitment to improve the lot of the registered children to follow up on at the next door children's same needs as any other children, disabled. They provided funding for their progress. Owing to resource home called Ndugu Mdogo their handicap makes it much more Paolo's Home, and continue to support limitations, this programme is Rescue Centre whose difficult to fulfill those needs, more so its operations. currently confined to the mandate is to promote street in situations of poverty and stigma. The centre's aim is to improve the precincts of the Kibera slums. interventions and youth Moreover, they are seldom included disabled children's muscle function The centre, however, hopes to empowerment programmes, i n o v e r a l l d e v e l o p m e n t a l and mobility, ease physical pain and expand its outreach into besides supporting child programmes, even the most basic improve their blood circulation. This is neighbouring areas, starting with r e s c u e i n i t i a t i v e s a n d ones like education. It is for this done using methods such as the west of Nairobi. providing in-house care, reason that Paolo's Home was massage, therapeutic stretches and support and rehabilitation of established to help such children exercise. The initiative also helps refer children in need. make the first step towards realizing extreme cases to orthopaedic Paolo's Home was officially their potential. specialists. Unfortunately, most opened on December 10, “Our vision is to start a day care families or guardians cannot afford the 2007. It then started its center which will help children to advanced orthopaedic services, and operations in March 2008, acquire simple Activities of Daily Paolo's Home is currently unable to with a full time physiotherapist Living (ADL) as well as improve on assist them meet the hefty costs. and a counsellor, who also speech therapy which will facilitate The centre hopes to be able to doubles as the initiative's the care givers' duty to provide for facilitate access to artificial limbs, coordinator. the rest of the siblings in the family,” crutches and other physical aids for Although the initiative had said Kiluu. the physically disabled. In this regard, o r i g i n a l l y a i m e d t o This initiative was inspired by Paolo, a closer relationship with the concentrate on 30 cases a a young man from Fabriano, Italy, Association for the Physically Disabled year, the need for the services who suffered from muscular in Kenya (APDK) and Kijabe Hospital h a s p r o v e d t o b e dystrophy. Paolo made a daily in Kenya is being pursued. APDK has overwhelming. This target commitment to fight for the rights of so far helped one child obtain a was quickly surpassed when, the sick and the disabled. In spite of walking aid. in the first week alone, 46 his physical condition, his courage, Many parents despair in the face of children with disability were smile and positive attitude was an their child's physical disability. Paolo's received at the centre. inspiration to many, and he radiated Home provides a free counselling In an interview with Janet joy and hope to all who approached service for such parents. The aim is to Kiluu the administrator of the him. give them faith that all is not lost for centre, she says, “The main Paolo died at the age of 36 in 2006. their children. The centre's group challenges that we are facing In his last years, he used the internet therapy programme especially helps is lack of funds to upgrade the as a means to support and these parents share their experiences centre to a fully packed facility encourage other disabled people. A and find strength in each other. Follow Our News Online Our websites are getting richer with news, pictures and short videos. You can always find out the latest activities and developments on our website.

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