Living in the slums outside Nairobi presents residents with a unique set of challenges. Crime, poverty, and drug abuse, even by children, continue to rise in these communities. These are in many ways, inevitable challenges that come with living in an insecure environment such as this. One challenge that we shouldn’t have to expect though, is insecurity brought about by government officials.
As many of you are aware, 2017 was an election year for us. The initial election was in August, yet disputes and accusations continue to drag the process out. Violence has once again marked this election, and many of those who have suffered this violence have been residents of these especially vulnerable slum communities.
Many of the children here had to take their siblings “upcountry,” back to the rural communities where their parents are from, in order to ensure their safety. These are not challenges that school-aged children should be having to face while trying to make a better life for themselves.
Please join with us as we continue to hope and pray for peace and stability in Kenya. Our children’s futures depend on it.