Cheated at Birth: What happens when a street child in Nakuru turns 18?
A group of street families staying in Lions Garden. The group was displaced by matatus that re entered the CBD
Over the years, the streets of Nakuru City have seen a gradual increase in the number of street kids; but have you ever wondered what happens to those street children once they become adults?
One of the ladies who understands this all too well is Nancy*.
She shares,” Once I turned 18 year of age, I heeded to chairman’s advice and applied for a national ID. I was very happy since it meant I could get a job and advance myself in society.”
Armed to the teeth with her salon and beauty training and lots of enthusiasm, Nancy soon began applying at various beauty salons.
It wasn't long before she got a positive reply from one of the many salons she had asked for a job.
“I got a phone call and was told I could start working. I remember how happy I was to be able to wake up every day knowing I was going to work,” Nancy reminisces.
She had only worked at the salon for a few months before her employer told her that her services were no longer needed.
Nancy narrates, “I remember that day like it was yesterday. My employer told me she had done some digging and found out I am a street family member.”
While narrating her story, Nancy recalls she was fired since her old employer feared that Nancy would steal from her business.
“What people don't know is that as a member of the street family, we aren’t here by choice. Once we get a chance to better our lives, trust that most of us are willing to work really hard to get out of the streets,” Nancy shares.
Since losing her formal salon employment, Nancy hasn’t been able to get employment at another beauty salon and currently does house calls on top of helping her street family sisters keep their hair neatly plaited.
Speaking to Mtaa Wangu still on the same issue, Nakuru street Families chair lady, Judy Ndung'u shares, “Nancy's story is just one of many. Most of our street ladies aren't so lucky with formal employment once their employers run a background check on them.”
Ms Judy Wanjiru, chairlady of street families in Nakuru during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
Judy goes on to share that as much as the ladies have training in housekeeping and beauty, a great number of them can only afford to hawk with a few even having to go as far as being twilight girls.
“Being a member of the street family has so many challenges one of them being the lack of jobs. This is a really big challenge for street ladies that have decided to reform and better their lives,” Judy shares before adding, “Being the chair lady, I try my best to support these girls however I can.”
Judy highlights, “Most of the reformed street ladies here help me out in selling oranges, tomatoes, onions, socks and recently, we began making and selling liquid soap. It’s the least I can do to help these ladies. However, there’s only so much ladies I can help given the great number of girls that are on the street.”
As my conversation with Judy Ndung'u comes to a close she notes, “My biggest appeal to the public is to receive us with open arms. Tulijikuta street juu ya circumstance. All you can do to support us is give us the opportunity to work and better our lives. Give us a chance.”