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On the streets of Mathare[/caption]

The Best Defense for Violence Against Children

Wanjiku appears to be a normal child, albeit emotionally subdued and small for her 13 years. After speaking to her for a short while, it is clear that she is wary of strangers; after hearing her story, it is easy to understand why. Wanjiku used to live and attend school in the Majengo slum, near Mathare. In an attempt to improve the financial situation of the family, her mother began to sell Wanjiku to men when she was 11 years-old. Although Wanjiku sensed this was wrong, she told no one; she was afraid of what they would think of her. After two years, Wanjiku worked up the courage to tell her story to a visiting art teacher, who together with her school, took action. She was removed from the dangerous situation and is now attending a boarding school outside of Nairobi, where she is safe, well fed, and learning to trust again.Many children in the Mathare slum are also victims of violence in the forms of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It is hard to comprehend how these children endure such treatment. Every day, many children are seen running the streets unsupervised. Upon questioning, they say that their parents do not care where or how they spend their day, nor whether they eat during their time on the street. There is no one to protect them from the many dangers lurking on the streets of Mathare.According to UNICEF, every year millions of children around the world, in every country, every culture and at every social level meet various forms of violence. The abuse takes place at home, in school, in institutions, at work, in the community, and because of armed conflict. The violence children face takes many forms, such as exploitation and abuse, trafficking, physical and humiliating punishment, harmful traditional practices (including early marriage and genital mutilation/cutting), and recruitment into armed forces and terrorist groups. Growing up with violence and abuse affects a child’s development, dignity, and physical and psychological integrity.Today, the world commemorates Universal Children’s Day with the theme, “Stop Violence Against Children!” We join the United Nations and Save the Children in the hope that through worldwide awareness and international togetherness, lives of children will be transformed. Ghandi once said, “Poverty is the worst kind of violence.” We at eduKenya believe the worst kind of poverty is that of heart and soul. The eduKenya team joins the worldwide voice to “stop violence against children,” and we lift our voices heavenward to our God who says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14.At Kwa Watoto School, children experience the kingdom of heaven through the compassionate, caring staff that treats them with kindness, gentleness and great concern. We are a place where the needs of children are a priority. We believe that the love of God demonstrated through trustworthy adults, along with a holistic education, will transform the lives of our children and give them an opportunity to grow into godly, loving adults. As such, they will become the world’s best defense against violence perpetrated on children.