By Betty Luke
Tens of children living in the streets of Isiolo town have benefitted from a feeding program, by a local cleric, aimed at sharing with the less fortunate during the Christmas holiday.
The children were issued with clothes and ready food, an intervention that they termed timely especially in the wake of the harsh economic times.
“Almost every one of us has just a single pair of clothes that are worn out. The help is a testament that there are people who love and care about us,” said Kelvin Munene.
Jesus Foundation Glorious Center’s (JFGC) Pastor Timothy Koome said the idea to support the children was borne out of his experience living in the streets of Nanyuki and Timau town years ago, when things had gone south.
“I developed the desire to support street children on an annual basis because having previously lived in the streets, I clearly relate to the challenges they face. Some would love to be home but they’ve nowhere to go,”he said.
He said instead of despising street children, it would be prudent for people to first find out why they (street children) moved to the streets before judging them.
“The majority of the street children have sad stories that if one listens to would never despise them. There are some who have lost their parents while others ran away from mistreatment by step parents or other family members,” he said.
While calling for an urgent intervention, the cleric noted that drug and substance abuse was among the key drivers of the surge in the number of street families.
“Many of them abuse all types of drugs because they are readily available to them. If the duty bearers would play their role to ensure there are no drugs available, it would be easier to reintegrate them back into their families,” he noted.
Businessman Gerald Ntari called on the residents to show compassion to the needy during the festive season as many people were suffering owing to the high cost of living.
“I urge everyone not to eat alone. If you have something please share with your neighbour. There is no joy in having excess when your neighbour is sleeping on an empty stomach,” he said.
