Play:
In Kenya a child is very often seen as an extra pair of hands,
and most children have to 'grow up' and become responsible members of society
well before they are teenagers. We give children the opportunity to rediscover
their childhood through play, and encourage participation in organised group
games, dancing and singing. The latter recognise the importance and diversity of
the children's heritage, and a wide range of tribal dances and songs are
taught.
After School Clubs:
All children have dreams, and for many Kenyans it's to be a
football star. TPFC, our football club, provides an opportunity for boys and
girls to come together after school, and on Saturday's too, to train and hone
their skills. Every now and then we are able to enter our teams into local
tournaments, which cause much excitement amongst all those taking part. It is
acknowledged locally that TPFC gets the best support at its matches, as all the
children from the project go along to cheer them on.
We also run an after
school Drama Club, where there is an opportunity for children to explore and
enjoy their acting ability, and included in this club are activities such as
poetry reading and scripture recital. Through this club we are able to put on
performances for those in the community, and through these performances we are
able to educate the community in such areas as AIDS and corruption - both very
big issues here.
Both clubs provide an opportunity for Moses, the Club
Co-ordinator, to disciple some of the older young people, so encouraging them to
make good choices for themselves as they grow up.
Another benefit of the
clubs is that they provide the older children and young people with a viable and
popular alternative to going to the streets. Without them, many would naturally
drift down towards the city in search of food or a good time. But since TPFC and
the Drama Club were started, we have seen a marked decrease in those going to
the streets.
