Vulnerable children in Kisumu slums mentored against crime

More than 150 vulnerable children from Kisumu’s Manyatta slums have benefited from a mentorship programme against crime and drug abuse.

The children from Umoja Pamoja CBO were mentored by Parks Foundation.

The foundation, which has a special focus on the boy child also gave the children life skills lessons and sensitised them on the importance of education.

Founder Rachael Owuor said the foundation's main aim is to foster education and preserve the dignity of the less fortunate.

Owuor with her foundation members also donated food and non-food items as they ushered the new year.

"We wanted to ensure that these vulnerable children celebrate the new year just like everybody else,” she said.

“During festive season, people prepare various meals but there are those who cannot afford to put food on the table. That is why we are sharing meals with these children and mentoring them as well.”

The foundation also donated clothes, soccer balls, sports uniforms and sanitary pads to girls.

"I have noticed that a lot of focus has been put on the girl child making boys feel forgotten," Owuor said.

She said the foundation has sponsored two needy children, a boy and a girl to secondary school.

One of the beneficiaries, Haruna Rajab will join Form 3 at Butula Boys when schools open.

Owuor said she learnt of Rajab's school fees challenges on social media.

“I have realised that many children in the slums perform well in school but are denied the opportunity to pursue their education due to lack of school fees," she said.

Owuor said she started the foundation to address the high levels of poverty in Manyatta.

“The stark face of poverty dictated destinies of many people in the slums. It is an unfortunate circumstance that I encountered growing up," she said.

Owuor said many of her peers were forced to drop out of school due to lack of school fees while some fell pregnant.

“Within Manyatta, poverty went beyond empty stomachs—it stifled education and pushed many young people into premature responsibilities,” she said.

Businessman and Kenya Security Industry Association national chairman Erick Okeyo urged the beneficiaries to be disciplined and commit to their studies.

“You may not be privileged today but when you’re focused and committed in whatever you do then you will be the future leaders,” Okeyo said.

Foundation’s manager George Ogundoh said the children are also exposed to extra curricular activities to expose their talents.

“These children are the future generation so we have to transform their lives by giving them good education and preserving their dignity,” he said.

The young girls, he said, have been lured to sexual activities due to lack of sanitary pads.