Child abuse, AIDS and poverty are forcing at least three out of every five children to live or work on streets of urban centres in Kenya’s Western Province. These children and/or their families suffer from severe poverty and very few have access to education, secure housing, healthcare services and employment opportunities among other day to day needs.
WEAEP established Opportunities for Children in Western Kenya in 2006. This project offers a variety of developmental and protection services to vulnerable children with the aim of rehabilitating and reintegrating them back into society. Over 100 street children and 1,500 children at risk of moving to the streets directly benefit from support services offered by WEAEP’s 24-hour safe and secure shelters in Mumias and Kakamega. Their basic needs are met through provision of nutritious food, basic healthcare, washing facilities, clean clothes, formal and non-formal education and counselling. Life skills training at the centres enables the children to develop a core set of skills, helping them to make informed decisions about their own lives. Children who are 14+ have access to vocational training through apprentices and in-house skills development, such as tailoring, IT, welding and motor mechanics. These marketable skills give them an opportunity to find local employment, enabling them to become self-reliant.
The project provides training to local community members, local government officials and school officials in child protection and participation, putting in place the structures that will reduce the incidences of child abuse and establish support systems for children who are abused. The project also provides training for the children, which empowers them to prevent abuse and exploitation, helping them become active agents of change within their communities. |
Generously supported by:
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