The Life of the Kenyan Youth

THE LIFE OF KENYAN YOUTH
 
I trust 2019 is going to be a great year here at MTI (Marianist Technical Institute). My hope is to get to know some of the students on a more personal level. Unexpectedly I was given the papers the students wrote of their personal histories in Communications class. I spent most of that weekend  in awe of what I was absorbing as I read them. Their struggles, perseverance, and faith left me emotionally drained and numb. I could not thank God enough for all that I was experiencing. I hope I will be able to express to these students how much they have bestowed in me.
 
“I felt like the world has rejected me, I felt like I should commit suicide, but because I had feard God….I am still alive today."
 
The students range from 18-27 years old. Some of the fortunate ones are entering college at what we would refer to as the normal age of 18, not without hardships though, as many others had interruptions in the flow of their secondary education due to life’s everyday circumstances here in Kenya. Maisha, they call it, ‘state of life’. The amount of parents lost, kids being shuffled here and there, up and down to aunties, uncles, cousins, sisters, whoever could care for them, mostly for only short lengths of time. Living under the stress of if and when you will be attending school, knowing that you may be sent home at any time because school fees are not able to be paid and knowing that there are times the food will be sparse, if there is any at all. They start the day at a very early hour to enable enough time to walk the miles needed to reach school on an empty stomach. They are fed a lunch consisting of the Kenyan staple Ugali (cooked flour and water), Githeri (maize and  beans) or rice and beans which sustains them until the next day’s school lunch. After a long school day and return walk home, they begin their daily chores of fetching water, washing clothes, and studies. Then to bed in a small, hot room shared with others, sometimes on the cement or dirt floor among the disease carrying mosquitos, insects, and rodents.
 
“I kept on the Faith and would fast and pray to the Most High to open doors for me.”
 
It is no wonder why so many of these youth have ulcers at this very young age. They endure a lot and usually just keep it inside where it festers.
 
“I have never stayed with my real parents even for a single day. I don’t know or understand the meaning of the word Father. I always pray that he should never even one day show up.”
 
Weekends are consumed with hustling to look for odd jobs, boys may play football (soccer), and if lucky can go to the beach and wade in the water. Odd jobs consist of fetching water at 10 shillings per 20 liter jugs, being a house helper for cleaning and laundry, and if lucky assisting a mason with the heavy work of hand mixing cement, hauling sand, and carrying large cement blocks. A day's labor may pay 200-300 shillings ($2-3 dollars).  Sundays begin with a few hours attending church services.  Church is an integral part of growing up in Kenya. The services are very lively with about 10 songs, several traditional dances up and down the aisles and lots of hand clapping and arms swaying praising God.
 
“1994 Dad passed, 2000 Mom passed….in the bible God tells us that he is the Father of all creations and father of all orphans and widows.” 
 
One thing is for sure, extended families remain responsible and committed to it's well-being as best they can provide, and Church is paramount.  God and Family.