Daniel

Yesterday, my friend Austin (another volunteer) came to visit Sidai. Since he didn't know where to go, I took one of the little girls and met him along the main road. On the way back up to the children's home, we met a boy who was probably 10-12 years old. I didn't recognize him and asked him where he lived. Luckily, his English was fairly good, so we were able to talk to him. He told me that his parents were dead and that he lived on the streets in Ngong town. As he told us this, tears welled up in his eyes. I didn't know what to do, so I told him (Daniel) to come back to Sidai with us. He clearly wanted help and even offered Austin a pair of sunglasses as a gift (Austin didn't accept).

Back at Sidai, he told Lucy the same story. He said that his mom kicked him out and and then his mom's friend came and told him that his mom was dead. Lucy took Daniel to Ngong to verify his story (and make sure he didn't just run away) and talk to the chief (a government official). As it turns out, his mom is alive but is a drunk living in a village about 15 min from Ngong. She used to beat Daniel all the time and forced him to collect plastic, which would be sold for bar money. When he was very young, she made him go to the bar with her and would make him drink alcohol. Apparently, Daniel has 2 younger sisters that the mom also does not support. The neighbors even told Lucy that Daniel's mom told everyone that Daniel was dead in an attempt to get money from them! So sad!!! Lucy wasn't able to find the mom anywhere, but she assumes that she was drunk somewhere (according to neighbors, at least).

Daniel has been living on the streets of Ngong for awhile now. I can't even imagine, especially since it was raining earlier this week, and the slum was SO MUDDY. Since Daniel says he wants to go back to school, Lucy said he could stay at Sidai. He stayed there last night, but some things have to be worked out w/ the chief before it can be a permanent arrangement. I really hope it works out! He seems like a really nice boy, and I'm so happy that Austin and I ran into him yesterday. It's definitely a sad reminder of the problem Kenya has with respect to street children. I will definitely keep you all updated on what happens with him.