According to the census that was conducted in 2009 the population of Kenya has crossed the 40 million mark. What this means is that the government of the East African country is faced with a huge task of ensuring that each of its citizen has access to basic human needs. With a big chunk of this population surviving on less than a dollar a day, it will take a very long time and good leadership to realize this dream. Most of the hardest hit persons are children. Kenyan kids living in slums found in the outskirts of Nairobi and other cities have to overcome numerous challenges to make it in life.
Perhaps the biggest assistance that the children can get is to provide them with an education. Such a step will not only make them self-reliant but will also transform them into a huge asset for their communities. The Kenya government launched free primary education about 10 years ago but there are many children who are still outside the classroom for one reason or another. It is important that they are followed up until they complete their O levels and their university education.
Unhygienic conditions of the slums highly favour a continued high level of disease prevalence and incidence. Many children are exposed to these diseases early in life and are thus at risk of suffering mental and physical disability even as they grow older. There should be proper strategies in place to ensure that primary prevention of these diseases is done.
There is a huge number of kids in Kenya that have been affected either directly or indirectly by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A number of them have been born by parents who were infected by the virus and are themselves infected. Such children need proper medical treatment and psychological support to help them lead a normal life. Several others have been orphaned as a result of the same and require children homes or adoption.
Sports are a big thing in Kenya. Kenyan athletes have excelled in major competitions in the world. Rugby has also been rising steadily. A good number of the world renowned athletes grew up in the slums. This is proof that there is so much untapped talent in these areas. There is need to reach out to the kids and to encourage them to participate in sports so that they can secure a future for themselves.
Talents are evident in the performing arts as well. There are many kids that are good at acting and a few of them have been lucky to be contracted by local entertainment companies. Many others are gifted in music and dance. If the right environment is created, all these will nurtured for the good of the community and the country at large.
Drug abuse is a big challenge in the slums. Hard drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin are easily available and at some point frequently end up in the hands of children. Many slum children have turned to drugs as they look for a place of comfort. They often are tempted to get into criminal activities so as to satisfy their addictions. For this reason, there is need to set up rehabilitation centres.
The kind of challenges that have been mentioned here are by no means unique to Kenyan kids. On the contrary, they are what is expected of any third world country. Although the numbers are in the millions, all that is needed is to make a difference in the life of one kid. This is a challenge to the Kenyan citizens and well-wishers from other countries.
Perhaps the biggest assistance that the children can get is to provide them with an education. Such a step will not only make them self-reliant but will also transform them into a huge asset for their communities. The Kenya government launched free primary education about 10 years ago but there are many children who are still outside the classroom for one reason or another. It is important that they are followed up until they complete their O levels and their university education.
Unhygienic conditions of the slums highly favour a continued high level of disease prevalence and incidence. Many children are exposed to these diseases early in life and are thus at risk of suffering mental and physical disability even as they grow older. There should be proper strategies in place to ensure that primary prevention of these diseases is done.
There is a huge number of kids in Kenya that have been affected either directly or indirectly by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A number of them have been born by parents who were infected by the virus and are themselves infected. Such children need proper medical treatment and psychological support to help them lead a normal life. Several others have been orphaned as a result of the same and require children homes or adoption.
Sports are a big thing in Kenya. Kenyan athletes have excelled in major competitions in the world. Rugby has also been rising steadily. A good number of the world renowned athletes grew up in the slums. This is proof that there is so much untapped talent in these areas. There is need to reach out to the kids and to encourage them to participate in sports so that they can secure a future for themselves.
Talents are evident in the performing arts as well. There are many kids that are good at acting and a few of them have been lucky to be contracted by local entertainment companies. Many others are gifted in music and dance. If the right environment is created, all these will nurtured for the good of the community and the country at large.
Drug abuse is a big challenge in the slums. Hard drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin are easily available and at some point frequently end up in the hands of children. Many slum children have turned to drugs as they look for a place of comfort. They often are tempted to get into criminal activities so as to satisfy their addictions. For this reason, there is need to set up rehabilitation centres.
The kind of challenges that have been mentioned here are by no means unique to Kenyan kids. On the contrary, they are what is expected of any third world country. Although the numbers are in the millions, all that is needed is to make a difference in the life of one kid. This is a challenge to the Kenyan citizens and well-wishers from other countries.
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