The youth in the slum areas face many challenges, one of them being that their parents, most of whom are single mothers, are not able to educate them due to lack of funds. The options that remain for the youth to earn a livelihood are running errands for Chang’aa brewers, brewing Chang’aa, distribution of the same, crimes and other vices. Sadly, it is also here that the politicians get an easy target, gangs for hire to cause chaos during election campaigns.
So far the Maji Mazuri Training Center has trained over 100 youth from Mathare Valley, equipping them with computer and entrepreneurship skills. This empowers them and boosts their self esteem. Most of them feel trapped in this cycle of poverty and the community has lost many in their attempt to get out of the cycle through wrongful means. Most of them have dreams and are looking out for opportunities to start the journey towards those dreams. This group of young people who showed up that morning had taken that first step.
As the sun set on the valley that day, 30 more young people had a chance at extricating themselves from the fate that befalls many who have not had such an opportunity. Maji Mazuri is making a difference.
