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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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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