Kenneth Gitari reflects on how his father’s story of overcoming child poverty inspired him to dedicate his life to supporting vulnerable children. In this blogpost piece, he shares the transformative journey of young Chris and his family in Kisumu, Kenya, as they strive for a brighter future amidst the challenges of poverty. To learn more about Kenneth’s drive to make a difference in his community, keep reading:
A Father’s Legacy: The Spark That Ignited My Passion
The story of my father kept ringing in my ears, shaping how I viewed the world. He once saw a street child and said, “I see myself in that boy.” He shared how his mother had died, leaving him partially orphaned in a polygamous marriage. Eventually, he and his two siblings were kicked out onto the streets. He described the harsh reality of child poverty. However, he was fortunate to escape the cycle of poverty after securing a spot at a government college and later finding employment as a civil servant. My father’s story inspired me to support vulnerable children in our society.
From Theory to Practice: My Journey as a Social Worker
In 2013, two years after completing my Social Work studies, I got a job with a child welfare organization and began working in Kisumu, Kenya, as a Social Worker. It was an exciting opportunity, as I had already spent two years working in Nairobi’s informal settlements, empowering and supporting the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of street-connected children. During this time, I met a chief from a neighbouring county in Siaya who referred me to a case involving a vulnerable child.
Chris’s Story: A Glimpse into a Life of Struggle
His name was Chris (name changed), then 10 years old. He was not at home when I arrived but had gone to graze two cattle in the fields. It was a Tuesday, a school day. Chris was the third-born of six siblings. His older sister, who was 18, had already dropped out of school and left home to work as a domestic child caretaker. The second-born sister was living with a paternal aunt in Nairobi’s sprawling Mathare slums.
A Home of Challenges: The Harsh Realities of Rural Poverty
Chris’s family lived in two tiny mud-walled, grass-thatched houses that seemed relatively new, along with a kitchen that also served as Chris’s room. As I waited for Chris to return from the grazing fields, I inquired about his parents’ background. Chris’s father, Mr. Dennis A. Orwenyo, had been born into a peasant family in the same village where they lived. He completed primary school but couldn’t continue his education due to a lack of school fees. He possessed cobbling skills and worked as a shoe repairer on the roadsides in the Mathare slums. He was also involved in subsistence farming, growing cassavas and maize. Chris’s mother, Jackline Atieno, was born in a neighbouring district and barely finished primary school.
Dreams and Frustrations: A Boy’s Desire for a Better Future
Chris finally returned home slightly before sunset. He expressed frustration with life at home and his desire for a better future. He spoke well and shared his strong desire to attend school, feeling that his parents did not value education. Chris had spent much of his life in Nairobi and had reached grade five in primary school. However, his father told me that Chris was undisciplined, often changing out of his school uniform and into “street children’s clothes” to scavenge for scrap metal, which he sold to dealers.
A Family in Crisis: The Struggles of Adapting to Rural Life
According to Chris, his father was harsh and didn’t allow him to express himself freely, though his mother was more empathetic. After his father took him back to their rural home, Chris rarely attended school, preferring to hide in maize fields and only return home in the evening. He felt he couldn’t attend school on an empty stomach and without a proper uniform.
The family had moved back to the rural home due to growing financial needs and the limitations of their small, single-room temporary house in Nairobi, which could no longer accommodate them as the children grew older. Chris’s upbringing in Nairobi’s informal settlements, combined with his parents’ poverty and lack of time to closely monitor their children, likely contributed to his behavior. He struggled to adapt to life in a remote rural area, and the family’s extreme poverty only worsened the situation.
Turning the Tide: Hope and Transformation
Their home was sparsely furnished, with three plastic chairs, one table, one bed, a paraffin lamp, and an outdoor three-stone wood-fuelled cooking fireplace. After meeting with Chris, we agreed to support his education and empower his parents through economic livelihood programs.
Empowerment and New Beginnings: A Family’s Journey to Self-Sufficiency
Chris eventually returned to school, and his self-esteem significantly improved. He aspired to become an electrician and work in the rapidly growing construction sector in the country. His mother started a thriving fish vending business, while his father sold groundnuts in a small shop in a nearby trading center. They greatly improved their parenting skills after attending positive parenting training sessions and became much more attentive to their children’s education. There was hope for the family and, ultimately, for the children as the primary beneficiaries.
The Broader Picture: Combating Child Poverty on a Global Scale
Child poverty around the world remains one of the most pressing issues we face as a global society. 1 in 3 children worldwide live in poverty (UNICEF 2023). The Sustainable Development Goals call for multidimensional child poverty to be halved by 2030, building a world where all children need to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential. Child poverty is a complex and multifaceted issue with various underlying causes.
RICCA: Building Brighter Futures for Vulnerable Children
With our organization, Rising Capacities for Children Africa (RICCA), we aim to enhance educational environments for children, reducing dropout rates and improving academic and social outcomes through better infrastructure, resources, and support.
Kenneth is a 2024 kanthari participant.
Learn more about the kanthari course at: www.kanthari.org
