Street Championing, and TKW is leading the way

One by one, we have rescued 50 children from the streets in April. With the help of the community volunteers in different Counties opportunities continues to emerge.

In Nairobi where movement in and out of the County is ceased, many affected street families are facing uncertain times with their inability to effectively self-isolate, get food and other basic. Children in Nairobi County streets who come from other counties around the country cannot be repatriated. We have seen an opportunity to offer psychosocial counseling, informal schooling and also feeding where possible.

Joel*, a teenager on the streets of Nairobi and comes from Eldoret, shared. “We get food when there are many people opening businesses here but nowadays most people stay home …We have no stock for ourselves and it is even hard that going back home is not possible… For a survivor like me on the street your store is your stomach…

We have chosen not to focus on the challenge right now of accessing the streets of Nairobi so that we can continue to operate. The window of opportunity to reach out children on the street is NOT shrinking.

Mwangi* a young boy in Nyeri County was rescued last week by a community volunteer after being on the streets for 2 week abandoned by his mother. The parents separated and the mother had nothing to feed her children on. She left him on the streets. He was reunited with his family and family supported…

***

Adults can persevere hunger for a day, but for a little child like this, he can’t. We have opportunities not to watch them stay hungry on the streets and whatever it takes, return them to safe habitation in their families.

WHAT NEXT?

As you can see, TKW team are busier than ever, and it will take more than a lock down to keep them from giving support to the children and their families who are relying on them at this frightening time. That said,

We are so grateful to all those who have so generously contributed toward TKW work!!!

Being there in Such a time as this…

Children on the streets and families are part of vulnerable groups right now. We are prioritizing children who want to go back home. Larger Numbers are being rescued and repatriated back to their families.

Children’s homes and government rehab centers are overwhelmed and looking for TKW team help in reintegration of children since there is no school, no government support and no funding from private companies.

There are also new cases of mothers and children flocking the streets to look for food since small businesses and casual jobs are unavailable.

Many families are sleeping hungry. For every season, God is working and in TKW we succeed in what we do – redirecting the destiny of hopeless child, restoring them into God’s order. 

Our work around the Counties

WE are making every effort within our means to help when children need us most while taking greatest precaution. We continue to work with community volunteers in the counties.  We have cut down all local travel. 

Communication is mainly on phone to update ourselves on what is happening with children that we have reunited with families.  Those in need of basic provisions are assisted through mobile money.

Whether children are at risk due to current crisis or not we make sure we aim to provide all we can to ease their suffering and help them to recover.

How can you help children and families now?

There are so many ways you can support TKW. You could donate to this specific appeal – to repatriate children in larger numbers to their home counties/ and families.

You could also choose to support a family with basic needs like food, as a one-off gift, several months or longer.

We are grateful for the work we have done in the counties restoring families, but also recognize we have a long way to go...

TUMAINI NEWS- February 2020

HOPE- For Every Child, a Journey of Faith…

Removing children from the streets it is everyone’s responsibility to make it successful. No child should ever be harmed by those who have the duty to protect them.

While children should not be forcibly removed from the only home they know (streets), Tumaini Kwa Watoto serves everyday not to leave a child exposed to danger with no protection or recourse to justice by tracing their families and reuniting them. We also work together with their families toward their stability no matter the crisis that befell them.

Working with families and the community volunteers especially well known to the children has helped in preventing their return to street life.

This only means that as children living on the street come from different regions of the country, we have to work hard to raise a supportive system for them once reintegrated back into their communities.

A Journey of HOPE- Nyandarua County

Tumaini Kwa Watoto team works in all 47 Counties in Kenya But current focus is strengthening the work of Community volunteers in 5 counties namely- Nakuru, Kiambu, Nyeri, Embu and Nyandarua. This does not mean that a child on the streets from other Counties is left unattended, we rescue them. Tumaini Kwa Watoto defends children rights and helps them fulfill their potential from childhood through adulthood

In February our Meet, Greet, Share and Pray Initiative happened in Nyandarua County- the Journey of Hope. We met with our friends in the county, main agenda being to bring prayers together through prayer walks around the main town concerning the needs of children and families. We reaffirmed our commitment in children protection, healthy and education hence working together to give children a fair chance to fulfill their potential.

We later took a break to visit Thomson’s Falls – a breathtaking tourist site.

 We are Tumaini- Hope for every child. And we never give up.

HOPE– Calling into being things that are not…

Already 100 children from the streets and vulnerable situations around our Counties have been reunited with their families.

Working in the Counties involving the Community Volunteers to see children settled into transformed families and into Gods order has been our best decision. This year you will see more of this.

Tumaini Kwa Watoto commitment to seeing every child on the streets restored and back into their families started well this year 2020. And …As our Busia County Director of Children’s Services said recently…“If people stop giving alms to street children they will be discouraged from living in the streets.”

Out of the children who completed primary education in 2019, 12 boys and girls were admitted into secondary school through Tumaini Kwa Watoto sponsorship program.

From our 2019 Secondary school candidates, 9 were invited for a one week life skills training to prepare them for colleges/universities toward their career path.

Our first Meet, Greet, Share and Pray initiative with County volunteers also began in Nakuru where we had a day of prayer for the children and families. There was also sharing time and prayers walks around the major town.

We are excited of what 2020 has in store for us and we invite you friends to be part of this. Would you join us in helping these children get off the streets and back with their families? Your donations will go a long way in helping us change the life of the more than 1000 children living on the streets of Kenya that we plan to reintegrate in 2020.

• We are grateful to our friends and partners around the world for their generous support and walking with us in 2019- 403 children were removed from the streets.
• Because of your giving we have been able to expand our work in the counties by training and equipping community caregivers who are helping in rescuing children in their counties and walking with them and their families because they are on the ground.
• Because of your generous giving and support 114 children sat for their primary school education, 23 sat for their final secondary school education and end of 2019, 33 students are being supported through high school by end of 2019 meaning this No may increase in January.
• We have had many opportunities to make a real difference to the lives of children and families because you prayed and supported us in 2019. Thank you and May God refresh you!!

A sustainable way to rescue children from the street is through re-integrating them back into their family and community. And Tumaini Kwa Watoto ultimate goal is to rescue and reintegrate children into their families and communities.

It has often been said that it takes a village to raise a child. Children need a chance to grow to their full potential in life, and it is our job to help raise children and give them the ability to rise to their true prospective. For every child removed from the streets, there is always a need to raise a volunteer care giver who walks with the family in supporting the child.

We have Volunteers who are categorized into two categories: Primary who include biological parents, children in the family and relatives; Secondary volunteers who include teachers, spiritual leaders’, health workers, law enforcement officers, children officers, Voluntary community workers and social workers in children homes/institutions, organization among others. The categorization is thus, not rigid. It only helps us note that biological parents have the basic bigger role in raising the child which they should not assume someone else will play.

Our team accompanies the children to reunite them with their families and communities and support them if difficulties arise. The parents receive assistance to cope with family-related problems and child-rearing skills. In addition to helping parents, our team paves the way for children and young people to receive education and/or vocational training.

***

Partnership in the Counties

NAKURU COUNTY

Nakuru County became a main focus due to the influx of children in the streets of Nairobi from Nakuru County. This was also due to post election violence in 2007 which scattered many families and children were greatly affected. This brought in the idea of training the community and churches on the plight of children especially those scattered in the streets. They could receive care from the community once rescued and prevented from joining the streets again.
In June 2013, the training Community Volunteers in Kenyan counties begun in Nakuru County; One pastor who heard about rescued children by Tumaini Kwa Watoto invited the team to train the congregants on how to restore children from the streets into their families. For this first training, 22 parents and pastors attended.

After 2013 training, we took time because the outcome was not as we were expected because we needed to raise people who could work with us but the first training turn out to be an awareness meeting. Second meeting January 2015 with a new strategy was conducted, this time community workers, pastors and volunteers from Nakuru were invited. A total of 57 participants took part in the training. Ten of these people were really interested and willing to work with Tumaini Kwa Watoto in streets of Nakuru. 7 children were rescued and reunited with their family that year.
From 2016, to November 2019, 47 children have been rescued and over 60 follow up of the reintegrated children done by the Tumaini Team and the Community Volunteers in Nakuru County. One key person in coordinating the work in Nakuru County amongst 4 other volunteers is Mr. Hillary who has remained consistent and committed to Tumaini work in this County.

NYANDARUA COUNTY

Tumaini Kwa Watoto goal is to continue making a difference in the lives of children, families and communities.  Tumaini Kwa Watoto cannot achieve this goal alone; we have therefore incorporated others on the ground to support the children and families when we are not there. In Nyandarua County we have been actively engaging Children Officers and Volunteers. One specific care giving volunteer is called Eunice. For the past three months through training and practical work in the county, 26 children were rescued, 17 went back to school and 9 will be joining in January. Through Eunice, counseling, spiritual guidance and family empowerment has been offered.

NYERI COUNTY

Meeting Phyllis was not a coincidence, she was already known as a volunteer, counseling and praying with children in the streets of Nyeri town. She had tried to rescue several children on her own but had no knowledge on how to go about it. Tumaini team connected with her and introduced her to their vision. They walked the street of Nyeri town together relating with children and for the willing, a rescue was planned. In the family, the children were reintegrated. And Phyllis was introduced as one to follow up on the cases. It has been journey of 4 months, and 28 children have been rescued, 21 went back to school and 7 will be joining in January. 1 family was also empowered and several others needing help. Phyllis has followed up most of these children through Tumaini Kwa Watoto facilitation.

KIAMBU COUNTY

Kiambu County is a town itself and has several other towns in it.  For it to be our key focus was because there are other major towns linked to it. A number of children from the neighboring towns have come to the streets. There are slums like Kiandutu which is a home to children who visit the street and return to their families at night.
TKW entry to Kiambu County town was to create support systems for the children rescued in that county and a care giver from the community was required. Through networking Mr. Njuki was found to be the best community caregiver volunteer. Tumaini Team trained him practically on how to relate with children on the streets, how to prepare them for reintegration, tracing the families, bringing reconciliation and follow-ups. Together with Mr. Njuki- caregiver in Kiambu County, 15 children have been reintegrated back into their families and 10 have already gone back to school.

EMBU COUNTY

A year ago, a team member from Tumaini Kwa Watoto rescued a child from the streets of Nairobi and the children family was from Embu. During reintegration of the child, the team member met with a Sunday school teacher called Susan who the child family forwarded to know the child. Susan work in the church and church school was known in the locality and her passion was her testimony. She inquired how she could get involved with Tumaini and it was a perfect way to train and practically taken to the streets of Embu town, related, prayed with the children.

Some of those who wanted to go home, reintegration was facilitated and over time of building trust in the families, Susan was introduced as our community volunteer who the families could reach out to first in case of a follow up, guidance and support.

The team works hand in hand with the families and the community care givers to make sure the child have a community around them. So far 12 children have been removed from the streets and back into their families. 8 went back to school and 4 waiting to join in January.

***

Community Volunteers are a vital link in Tumaini Kwa Watoto 4Rs Reintegration model. (Relate, Rescue, Reintegrate and Restore). The well-being of these Community Volunteers who are supporting children and their families is important and Tumaini Kwa Watoto is committed to equipping them. They are helped to remain healthy for effective service delivery since this is a challenging work that requires a lot of support.
Many life changing and restoration stories of children in the community are made possible by people like Hillary, Phyllis, Eunice, Njuki and Susan who are volunteering their time and energy with Tumaini Kwa Watoto. They believe it is time to bring hope to the darkest places in their Counties. Every child who passes through our hands has a story. You can learn more about this work, these children and the people we serve by visiting:
www.kenyachildrenofhope.org

In Tumaini, we have over 70 students sitting for their final exams this week and into November. It is through the empowerment of an education that these children will grow up and bring a positive change in their communities and the nation at large.

The month of October has been a success. We have had very many activities take place; from rescues, working in the Counties, children in schools and now having our students that we have walked with for days, months and years, both primary and secondary schools do their final exams.
Education empowerment provides hope for countless generations and for every child removed from the streets by Tumaini Kwa Watoto, must get an education.
The end of primary and secondary school marks an important point in the academic years of many Kenyan students. And this means that the end of the school year, students take the pivotal Kenya Certificate of Primary/secondary Education exam.  

Like many children removed from the streets by Tumaini Kwa Watoto team… John* still recalls with a shudder how he narrowly escaped death on the streets. He narrates:

“I became a Chokora (street boy) and started eating from dustbins and sleeping in ditches. It was better being on my own than seeing mum suffer,” He says, adding that street life gave him insight into human meanness.
“I thought about the best way to end my life when life got tough. I entertained the thought of  hanging myself or climbing a nearby high-voltage electric post and getting electrocuted. But then I imagined myself dying…. I eventually realized I did not have the courage to go through with such self-inflicted pain,”
“My tears rolled down my cheeks many time, but a day came, I don’t know how to explain this, but God used good people to rescue me. I completed my secondary education, went for training and now I work with the youths. I use my story to inspire them”…

And as our Minister prayed to kick off this exercise, We in Tumaini wish all our children the best…

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Prayed for all exam candidates in Kenya

“…Of all things dear Father, we thank you for the wonderful gift of these children that you have given us. As they start their exams this morning, we pray for them, that you commit them to your careful and loving hands that you may grant them confidence that they may understand that exams are nothing but part of what they are doing in schools as they move on with their education. We pray that you will grant them success Father,”
AMEN

Together making a big difference

For a child who was once on the streets, rescued and reintegrated with his/her family, being in school is the best thing that can ever happen to them. But poverty makes this dream impossible. Children face tough challenges: But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Tumaini Kwa Watoto has been in existence for over 20 years, and we aim to expand our programs offered to the community in our mission to Set Lonely Children into Families, building a strong foundation for their future.

We make this a reality every day by seeing children out of the streets, every term by getting them to school and education needs relying on the generosity of individuals and partners for support. With your support we make a great difference in the lives of school going children.

Visualize a life without the ability to read or do basic math. For over 56% of elementary-aged children around the world who don’t meet minimum reading proficiency standards, the future can look depressing.
Together, we can do more than just getting children out of the streets in to school; we can empower them for a better future; Equipped with literacy, essential life skills, growing into adults who earn higher wages, educate their own children, and have a voice in their community.
Many children in our education program needs school fees and needs support. From January to July, 126 children were removed from the streets and reintegrated into their families. For every child removed from the streets, it is an opportunity for partnership and giving.

->For a child in primary school $25/£20/Kes2600 per month keeps 1 child off the streets, in the family and in school
->For a child in secondary school, $100/ £80/Kes10000 keeps them off the streets and in school
->For the child’s needy family, $100/£80/Kes10000 one time gift meets their basic needs

How to Partner…
You can make a difference in the life of a child through a one-time monetary gift or monthly gift to our education empowerment program or by sponsoring a child. Your partnership and gifts will help sponsor 50+ children to have access to life-changing benefits like educational support and life skills.

What you can to expect from us:
While your gifts are changing lives, you will get to see the power of your generosity through quarterly updates. You will receive a scanned thank you note from the child, their report card, recent photo and fee structure for next term!

“Every child counts...And this is a special day for us. We have 2000 children off the streets and making progress in their different lives.

Fifteen years old Dave is our No. 2000 and rescued off the streets last week. As a first born of his two siblings, Dave was forced to drop out of school due to lack of school fees. His only parent- the mother nobody know of her whereabouts and hence their grandparents being their guardian.  the grand parents are retired  and currently practicing subsistence farming.

David ended up on the streets after he was sent back home from school due to high fees balance that he had incurred in the school from previous term. David felt going home was adding more burden to his grandparents and with the small monies in his pocket that he had saved after selling charcoals came to Nairobi to look for casual jobs. But his plans backfired. He was stranded and walking aimlessly in school uniform, made a TKW social workers approach him. Dave was later  rescued, the team facilitated his going back home and to school by pleading his case to the headteacher. The school agreed to enroll Dave with hope that his school fees shall be paid.
The grand parents were glad to have their grandson back but knew sustaining him in school would take a miracle. They have no one else to fend for them and expressed how Dave does casual jobs in the village to buy food for the family. Dave also burns charcoal to sell for food despite the business declared illegal. In absence of the grandparents he is in charge of the family. He has more responsibility than he can carry.

How does your support help?

• Cost of relating with a child on the streets, rescuing them, and 3 home visits per year is Kes 30000 (£300)
• A child cannot go to school unless they have uniforms. It costs just Kes 6000 (£50) in Kenya to provide two uniforms and a few exercise books and pens for a child.
• It costs Kes 7000 (£60) to cover all school costs for a child in primary school for a year.
• For Kes 22000 (£200) a year a teenage boy/girl can be taught a skill – carpentry or dressmaking or even computer skills. They become self-sufficient and the whole community benefits.
• It cost Kes 15000 (£150) to help a family start a small business
• It costs Kes 12000 (£100) to help a mother buy a sewing machine so that she can run a small business and feed her family.

Pretty good value for money?  We welcome you to make Tumaini Kwa Watoto your charity of choice

HOPE: Restoration is a Journey…

Without support and encouragement they face danger that changes their lives for the worse. They want to be in school and in a family, growing like any other child.

TKW work to help these children off the streets, away from risk, to a family and into school. We do not believe in children centers but work toward changing the lives of as many children as possible- one at a time. We spend time meeting and befriending children on the streets; through trust we build again the missing link in most street children’s lives.  We work to guard the children and prevent them from depending on the street in the first place.

Restoration is a progressive journey which for some children, takes long time to be achieved and for others the journey is shorter.  Every child has a reason why they ended up on the streets. They share this during relating, rescue and reintegration.

TKW vision of holistically transforming children formally living on the streets into productive and responsible persons in society, Children join schools and young people who cannot join formal education are enrolled into informal vocational education to attain skills and empowered to live a productive independent life.

Usually children in touch with street-life once re-integrated tend to look ahead with optimism. Once rescued, a child goes through a process of Rehabilitation and Restoration.

And in the recent weeks we sought to look back into children in their restoration journey and highlight just a few…

For Gaite, it has been a journey of 8 years since his rescue. Life was quite twisted as he has had to go through obstacles, hardships and limitations to life earlier in his childhood. BUT today, he is a settled young man in High school (Form 2).
 “I used to live on the streets, but Tumaini Team helped me out, back home, relocated us and now I am in school.”

Antony was on the streets as a result of a hard life involving lack of food and basic necessities at home to the extent of going without meals several days. He joined the streets to fend for himself. He could do all sorts of activities ranging from picking scrap, to selling of tomatoes for people to ensure that he gets what to eat. “Life on the streets was really harsh”
In 2017, TKW met with him and was rescued. His reintegration was rocky at first but the process was unstoppable. It is tough for a child to live on the streets because they have nobody to take care of them. All children should live in a safe place and go to school. Antony wanted to continue studying to help other children off the streets in future.
“I am lucky because I am now home where I eat well and go to school. I know many other children are not lucky and are still on the streets, suffering…”

Alex was abandoned by his mother after birth and his aunts took him in but none of them could live with him permanently. As a result Alex lived with different relatives at any given time. He felt rejected. In 2016, his mother came back and took Alex to live with her. Life with his mother was a misery. He was physically abused and bore marks from a knife cut inflicted by his mother. It was at this point that he joined the streets.

When TKW met Alex in 2017, he suggested that he could go to his Grandmother. And that’s where Alex restoration journey begun. Though it hasn’t been easy for him to catch up with his education as he was older for his class the teachers were supportive.
Three years down and Alex is in class 5 and leading performance in his class. He has needs like school fees arrears and a weak grandmother but always wears a smile on his face. To his grandmother: He is a complete joy for her and keeps saying what a blessing Alex has been since his rescue.

Cynthia “I had left home because of facing rejection from my step-father,”… TKW met her on the streets November 2017 when she resolved to go back home and quit street life. This had gone to the extent of being sent away from home after her step-siblings were born given that she wasn’t a blood child of this father. Her mother was unable to prevent this since her step husband was ruthless and the sole-bread winner. Cynthia ended up on the streets.

After her reintegration, Cynthia protection and acceptance was assured but the relationship with step father was never smooth. TKW team stepped in and facilitated their reconciliation, but Cynthia mother later felt the marriage was too painful for her daughter to settle in and hence had to give up and she separated with her husband. They had endured humiliation, conflicts and domestic violence. Through all this Cynthia remained optimistic and TKW supportive. Today she is progressing well in her education. She completed her primary education in 2018 and this year joined High school in Form one.

Naomi, the Doctor, an orphan, had taken the risk of traveling alone all the way from Mombasa (over 600 kilometers) to Nairobi to look for casual jobs. She had endured mistreatment on aunt’s hands after the mother’s burial; made to work and not going to school. Any effort to want to go to school was accompanied by yelling and this psychologically tortured her. She wanted to progress in her life, be in school like other children and live in peace but it almost felt like that peace went to the grave with her only parent.
Naomi ended up on the street and was later taken to a police children desk by a Good Samaritan where TKW team met with her in 2017. She could not talk calmly but every word was expressed in tears of pain she had gone through.
Another aunt- sister to the mother was traced and was overjoyed to receive her niece. Naomi got a new home, new family and life begun all over for her. In peace and love, Naomi is thriving. She was enrolled back to school in class three and after the first exam she got good marks that teachers promoted her to next class midyear!  Naomi is currently in class six and according to her teachers and guardian she is doing well. She is always the best in her class and aspires to be a doctor!!!