The population of Kenya is estimated to be well over 40 million according to the latest statistics. Just as is the case with many countries of the African continent, a good proportion of this population is believed to survive on less than a dollar per day. Many Kenyan kids are talented in many aspects but the abject poverty that they have to overcome denies them the opportunity to bring out the best in them.
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.
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.
There are many children in Kenyan who either directly or indirectly have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Those that are affected directly are those that were born of infected mothers. They require both medical and psychological treatment to deal with the challenges associated with the condition. The indirectly affected are those that have been orphaned as a result of the illness.
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.
The other area where many slum kids are talented is in the performing arts. There are many children who can act in plays but simply do not have the opportunity. A few of them have been lucky enough to be identified by the local entertainment companies. Many more can sing and dance. Looking out for this young, raw talent will ensure that the children get something meaningful out of their lives.
One of the biggest challenges in the slums is drugs abuse. The ease of availability of the drugs makes it very accessible for almost anyone. Many children find themselves addicted to the drugs in a bid to find some comfort. As a consequence, the rates of crime are fairly high. Rehabilitation centres need to be put up so as to help this special group.
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.
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.
There are many children in Kenyan who either directly or indirectly have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Those that are affected directly are those that were born of infected mothers. They require both medical and psychological treatment to deal with the challenges associated with the condition. The indirectly affected are those that have been orphaned as a result of the illness.
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.
The other area where many slum kids are talented is in the performing arts. There are many children who can act in plays but simply do not have the opportunity. A few of them have been lucky enough to be identified by the local entertainment companies. Many more can sing and dance. Looking out for this young, raw talent will ensure that the children get something meaningful out of their lives.
One of the biggest challenges in the slums is drugs abuse. The ease of availability of the drugs makes it very accessible for almost anyone. Many children find themselves addicted to the drugs in a bid to find some comfort. As a consequence, the rates of crime are fairly high. Rehabilitation centres need to be put up so as to help this special group.
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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