“In my community children and youth face abuse. The youths are harassed and arrested for idling, because of lack of employment. Most of the youth and children are exposed to harsh environment at the dump site, like injuries from broken metals and breathing problems because of strong smells. There are also many fights because of competition at the dumpsite, our base leader was beaten and his hand broken. People also engage in criminal activities.” Simba
In 2021, Toybox’s partner in Kenya, Pendekezo Letu met Simba, a then 13 year old boy, who was living on the streets, struggling with drug addiction and stealing to survive. Through their street outreach activities aimed at giving children and young people on the streets of Nairobi spaces in which they can learn about their rights, they got to know Simba and have been supporting him on his journey through life since. Recently, Simba shared his story with us.
“My name is Simba. I’m 15 years old and I live in Nairobi. I have three siblings but I don’t really know their names and ages because we don’t live together. They live in our rural home with my father. My mother left us…
I live with my other grandmother. In my community, there are many different tribes who speak different languages. Most of the people there scavenge at the dumping site to earn a living. Most children are in and out of school due to lack of school fees. It’s good because there are schools, markets and hospitals, but there are also so many thieves, with people who take drugs – and there’s violence.
I collect plastics, cartons and waste paper to sell to earn a living. Most days, my morning starts at 7am when I wake up and go to the streets to scavenge for plastics and waste papers for sale. On Wednesdays, I wake up at 6am to catch a garbage collection lorry that comes specifically on Wednesdays. From 11am until 1pm I proceed to the selling point to sell my finds. After that, I hang out with my friends at the base to relax and then at 3pm I go back to scavenging until about 6pm when I sell my final finds. Normally then I go home to my grandmother and go to sleep."
“I don’t go to school because I dropped out in Class 6 in 2018 after my grandmother died when I lived in our village. I would like to go back to school. Before, my life was full of hardships as I was living and sleeping on the streets. I used drugs a lot and engaged in stealing. I was hopeless as my father was a drunkard and my aunt didn’t support me.” Simba
New beginnings
"Now I know Pendekezo Letu, I have changed my behaviours and no longer use drugs. I stopped stealing and I also go to church. I’ve moved away from the streets and now live with my grandmother. I’m hoping to go back to school next January to complete my education and become a teacher in the future so I can teach other children about their rights. We also have sessions at our street base where I’ve learned that I have my rights and responsibilities and that it’s my duty as a child to know about my rights. I’m always motivated by these sessions people they enlighten me about lots of things.
I feel more confident in life since I’ve learned how to deal with day to day problems at home and at the base. I love having a chance to express myself – I’m good at dancing, rapping and acrobatics. These are my talents, and they motivate me to keep busy and healthy.”
“I would like people to know that I was living and working on the streets, using drugs and other substance, stealing but now I have changed and want to go back to school. Yes, I have a talent of rapping and my dream is to become a rapper or a dancer.” Simba
A best friend on the street
For many street children, companionship is a key part to them maintaining positive mental health. For some children, this comes through remaining family ties and others form bonds with other children on the streets as they work or play together. However, pets and animals can also fill that space for some children and for Simba, his dog, Pablo, is a great friend to him. Not only does he bring happiness to Simba’s life, but he’s also taught him some important life skills.
“Pablo is my dog and I’ve had him for two years. I like having a pet because I love caring for animals. He makes me feel happy and secure – and he’s made me be a kinder and more caring person.
I care for him by scavenging for food for him, bones… anything. I’ve also constructed a small shelter for him to sleep in and sometimes I deworm him too. Pets should be taken care of, provided with food, a clean shelter and dewormed regularly. People should love their pets as they love themselves.”