The Problem
Today in Kenya, an estimated 2,600,000 children under the age of 17 are orphaned or abandoned and forced to live in the streets.
1 in 5 Kenyans live on less than $1.25 per day. In OHMH’s region (the coast province) that is closer to 60c.
Women and children bear the worst of these statistics
A child born in Kenya has a 12% chance of dying before age 5.
Many children are sold into marriage, some younger than ten years old
In coastal Kenya, prostitution is a regular way of life and financial survival for many younger residents. An estimated 10,000 to 30,000 children have been caught up in the commercial sex trade. Mombasa is a major tourist destination and many of these tourists come for sex.
Fifteen years ago the town of Mtwapa was smaller than the neighboring town of Kilifi. Today it is many times bigger. This growth is built on prostitution, mostly teenagers or younger.
UNICEF estimates the rate of child labor to be 25%.
The average class size in a Kenyan government school is 120. Some schools have more than 300 students to one teacher.
Education is beyond the reach of most Kenyan children because they can’t afford it, they are orphans and the breadwinners for their younger siblings, their families are so poor they are needed to help find food and water.
Education is desirable, but day-to-day survival is essential.
Education is the solution because:
- Children in school marry later, have children later, and have fewer of them. And are able to provide for them. They will break the cycle.
- Educated people will have options beyond prostitution or hunger. They will break the cycle.
- Educated people start to ask intelligent questions e.g. “Why is our health system not working?” “Why is our government living so well while our people are starving?” And find answers. They will break the cycle.
See what Our Home is doing about it.
