Labels are much more than bad names. When you call a child ‘garbage’ or a ‘rat’ it allows you to treat them as such, as less than human. It legitimises abuse too. In Nairobi the labels, abuse and violence push children on to the streets. Many are born into poverty and labelled from birth, living in slums, forced to work on rubbish dumps to survive.
How we're helpingWhen a neighbour began abusing Catherine, she thought it was her fault. He told her she was nothing. That no one would believe her if she ‘told’. Shy and withdrawn and with no self-esteem, Catherine thought her only escape was to the streets. A place where rape and assault can be even more commonplace.
How we helped CatherineDaniel and his friends were seen as little more than rats by Nairobi police. They’d swoop on them in the night, literally whipping them out of the city centre. Daniel was trying to get an injured friend to hospital but was arrested. In Kenya, street connected children are already considered to be ‘illegal’, so Daniel was detained at a juvenile remand centre.
How we helped DanielMake a donation today and you’ll help us tackle the problem head on. Not just with practical support, but by getting right to the heart of why there is stigmatisation in the first place. We’ve teamed up with like-minded organisations to work with hundreds of children, their families, the community and the wider society.
It’s an approach that’s already proving successful. We’ve helped Catherine to safely reintegrate into her family and school. We’ve given Daniel legal assistance and he’s now at a centre where he is learning new skills. One day we hope they will be able to give something back to their communities too – ripping up those labels once and for all.
Mzito is Swahili for ‘important person’. When you send a message of support, we will send one of these badges to a child in Nairobi – so they can wear it with pride, knowing that you are helping them to escape the labels of the street.
Send a messagePlease wear your badge with pride - you are a very important person.
Becky | 15 Mar 2018
You were made perfect. Walk with dignity. The only label you need is "loved by the Father"
Colin | 25 Mar 2018
You are precious in Gods eyes and so important! Lots of love
Hannah | 22 Mar 2018
You are important and you can achieve anything you want to.
Abi | 16 Mar 2018
You are such a blessing in this world
Christine Everitt | 30 May 2018
Jesus knows what it is like - your not alone- tune in to his voice of love and praise for who he made you to be- that us who you are-
Pauline Haughney | 31 Mar 2018
my dear child you are worth a great lot to Jesus Christ your father who love you has his child he is watching over you ,YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN A LABEL WALK WITH PRIDE LOVE YOU .
Catherine Degiovanni | 20 Mar 2018
You are precious and valued in God's sight. He watches over you and guards you. He gives you a hope and a future. He loves you
Helen | 26 Mar 2018
Jesus knows what it is like - your not alone- tune in to his voice of love and praise for who he made you to be- that us who you are-
Pauline Haughney | 31 Mar 2018
my dear child you are worth a great lot to Jesus Christ your father who love you has his child he is watching over you ,YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN A LABEL WALK WITH PRIDE LOVE YOU .
Catherine Degiovanni | 20 Mar 2018
Mzito! You are a very important person. You ARE loved by many in my local church where we pray for you. Don't forget Jesus will always love you and care for you for ever. My best wishes for your future.
Michael | 20 Mar 2018
You are such a blessing to us and You have so many gifts you have yet to discover! We are so thankful you are here and we have the opportunity to say You are Wonderful! :)
Celia Whitehouse | 08 Apr 2018
all children deserve to be loved. God bless you all.
Anonymous | 25 Mar 2018
God planned you, He has a purpose for your life. You are a child of the One True Living God. You are loved. You are desired. You are His.
Teeny | 30 Mar 2018
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