Kenya: Kids Alive Boys' Center

KENYA HOME

LOCATION

The Boys’ Center is located in the Central province of Kenya, in the Mt. Kenya area. It was established in 1996 as a home for orphans and former street boys.

In October 1998, one such young man, Paul, came to the home, referred to us by the local District Children’s Office. Following the death of his mother the year before, Paul, went looking for an older sister who had a family of her own, hoping that she could take care of him and his siblings. But their sister and her husband could not afford to take care of them.

Paul then left the family and joined some street boys who taught him about life on the streets. Before long he was arrested and taken to the Children’s Remand.  It was at this point that the Children’s Office approached the home and requested us to take Paul in.

The boy had never attended school, so when he came to the home he was home-schooled for a period of time. He caught up fast and was able to join the formal system at a public school, where he was thrilled to have a chance to prove what himself. Even early in his school years, Paul’s leadership abilities began to show, when he was made the school Head boy at his Primary school. He sat for his Kenya Certificate for Primary education examinations and joined High school.

Paul completed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary examinations in November 2007, which brings him to the end of his High School education, a dream that might have been impossible without the support of Kids Alive.

He is warm and friendly, and shows great responsibility at the home, Church and his school. He loves playing football and volley ball.  His leadership skills are visible everywhere - he was the assistant Head boy at his school, the Games Captain and the leader of the Life Skills Club. He also leads the other boys in church choir and leads the Church youth group at the home.

PROGRAMS

Donors and supporters of Kids Alive have helped the boys build a new and permanent home. The home provides residential care for children boys between 11-to-18 years of age, giving them opportunities to become productive members of society. The children attend the local Primary and High Schools around the home, and are actively involved in sports, music, Christian youth camps and such other extracurricular activities at the home, in their schools, and at a national level.