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.
There many things that can be done in a bid to help these children realize their full potential. The most important of these things is providing them with a decent education. If they are taken to school and helped to complete their O levels at the very least, then they will be in a position to chart their own way. While the Kenya government boasts of free primary education started about a decade ago, still many cannot enjoy this provision due to the other expenses not catered for.
The poor living conditions of slums favour high levels of disease prevalence and incidence. Water borne diseases are quite common in this part of the world and this has a negative impact on both the physical and mental health of growing kids. Primary prevention of these diseases will be a big step towards ensuring that the rate of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dysentery is reduced.
Millions of Kenyan children have been affected by HIV/AIDS in one way or another. There are many kids that have been born of infected mothers and are currently living with the virus. They require lifetime treatment. This treatment should comprise medical as well as psychological support. Many other children have been left behind as orphans after their parents succumbed to the illness. These can be helped through adoption or children homes.
Sport talent in Kenya is huge. Kenya is known worldwide for great performances in athletics and rugby. Football is also a big thing in this country. Interestingly some of the best athletes in these sports grew up in the slums. Tapping the talents early enough among the children will ensure that they do not go to waste. This will also be a good way of ensuring that the children secure careers for their future.
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 problems faced by Kenyan kids are more or less the same as those experienced in many other parts of the third world. While the number may seem really huge according to the available statistics, making a difference in the life of one child is indeed a very big difference in itself. Help should come from Kenyans themselves and other well-wishers from outside the country.
There many things that can be done in a bid to help these children realize their full potential. The most important of these things is providing them with a decent education. If they are taken to school and helped to complete their O levels at the very least, then they will be in a position to chart their own way. While the Kenya government boasts of free primary education started about a decade ago, still many cannot enjoy this provision due to the other expenses not catered for.
The poor living conditions of slums favour high levels of disease prevalence and incidence. Water borne diseases are quite common in this part of the world and this has a negative impact on both the physical and mental health of growing kids. Primary prevention of these diseases will be a big step towards ensuring that the rate of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dysentery is reduced.
Millions of Kenyan children have been affected by HIV/AIDS in one way or another. There are many kids that have been born of infected mothers and are currently living with the virus. They require lifetime treatment. This treatment should comprise medical as well as psychological support. Many other children have been left behind as orphans after their parents succumbed to the illness. These can be helped through adoption or children homes.
Sport talent in Kenya is huge. Kenya is known worldwide for great performances in athletics and rugby. Football is also a big thing in this country. Interestingly some of the best athletes in these sports grew up in the slums. Tapping the talents early enough among the children will ensure that they do not go to waste. This will also be a good way of ensuring that the children secure careers for their future.
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 problems faced by Kenyan kids are more or less the same as those experienced in many other parts of the third world. While the number may seem really huge according to the available statistics, making a difference in the life of one child is indeed a very big difference in itself. Help should come from Kenyans themselves and other well-wishers from outside the country.
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