Friday, August 26, 2011

MISS MOI ON THE STREETS

By Joey Omaita

When you think of a beauty queen, a lot of things come to mind – beauty, elegance, and stunning smiles; and of course charity, jiggers and anti-AIDS campaigns are some of the words that come to mind. Ever wondered what our very own Miss Moi has been up to? Well, it’s apparently a lot to do with street kids!

The reigning Miss Moi, Lencer Adhiambo, is an UTU ambassador. Utu is a rehabilitation centre that seeks to alleviate the suffering of our street children right here in Eldoret Town. Founded by Serah Flemmer, the organization aims to empower the ordinary street child academically and psychologically, giving them the power to be self-dependant.

We all know about the drama and trauma associated with street life. An estimated 3000 children are all over the town streets, running riot: begging, gambling, robbing, sometimes working, but the saddest scenario remains their tragic involvement in drugs. Hardly will you pass by two street kids without seeing a can of glue in hand. They sniff faithfully, their eyes casting a sad, hungry and pitiful, despondent look. You begin to wonder how they get by in these harsh times and these criminally harsh weather conditions. Injuries, parasites, diseases, extreme hunger. . .

And so Miss Moi has come out to appeal to the entire Moi University fraternity to assist in this humanitarian course. Through Utu, street children between the ages of 5 and 12 will get a chance and a platform to become better people. They’ll get another shot at a better life; a conducive surrounding for growth, by empowering them and their families to be responsible and not depend on help systems.

The children undergo a four-stage process that involves the initial contact with social workers, then an invitation to their Utu drop-in center where they are closely monitored for 10 weeks. A case history check of the child is then conducted, as well as an assessment of the situation at their home. The children undergo an educational program consisting of both formal education and informal lessons in farming, arts, sports and anti-aggression training.

They stay at the rehab center for up to two and a half years, by which time they’ll have been integrated back into their families and the community. Suitable children’s homes are found for those without family. The parents are also empowered by the Utu volunteers through counseling, entrepreneurship workshops and even micro-credits to aid them in providing for their kids.

If you would like to support Miss Moi through this worthy cause, you may contact them on phone through 0703811133 or reach them via email: uturehab@yahoo.com.


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