For Children by Children to the Scieaty

Kengele Children Magazine

September 2012

Every child is entitled to be given shelter, clothes and food

which are the basic needs. They should be given rights to medical care. They have to be secure from any harm whatsoever from the environment. They are also entitled to be given the right to proper education. This is important for every child today as education is free. Moreover they are entitled to the right of socializing with their peers and friends. They have a right to play and not work like donkeys like some parents, teachers and guardians do. The issue of locking up a child and not allowing them to play with other children has been passed by time and is against the law. Every child must also have a place that is safe from rain. Today we have many street children which is a big mistake from the people and

the government particularly because they dont look after these children at all. Every child must be protected from child labour and abuse. They should be protected from drug peddlers and change sellers. They should be protected from early marriages and exploitation. However, all these rights come with responsibilities. A child should be careful when in school and make sure they go for the sole purpose of learning. They should enjoy their rights without interfering with others. They should listen keenly to the parents and teachers. Being rude by not doing basic chores at home is not enjoying your rights, but it is just running from its responsibilities. Susan Nekesa, 13 years , Mathare,

Cleaner Environment, better environment Ptotect Children, protect the future Talent the Secret Weapon Is sanitation Important Choosing a Role Model My Experience with a herbalist Poetry Corner Talking for the Girl Child

PG2 PG3 PG4 PG5 PG6 PG7 PG9 PG10

What is Child Abuse Child Labour Water and Sanitation in Mathare Changes with a Difference, Day of an African Child Take us to the hospital Talents in the Slums

CONTENTS

PG11 PG12 PG13 PG14 PG15 PG16 PG16

Cleaner environment is a better environment

people sell their food which get contaminated by the rubbish. This leads to outbreaks of many diseases which there easily spread from one person to the other. The diseases are spread through drinking contaminated water and foods hence many people are affected but a large number of the affected are children and women. Our parents, due to poverty they buy cheap food from the street which is contaminated. Even though some families are able to treat drinking water a large number of families cannot afford to treat the water. The sewage lines are everywhere in the streets and sometimes they overflow mostly during the rainy seasons. The sewage water enters in the houses and sometimes the houses are carried away by the sewage and rain water leaving many people displaced. The water pipes also pass along the sewage lines and when they have some leakage and the water gets contaminated. When people use the water from these pipes without treating it they fall sick. Kibera people are really suffering because of this unhealthy environment. When the governments assign some youths to clean the streets, they still the people throw litter in the streets. We therefore ask the government to try educating people on how to keep the environment clean because Kenya losses about 800 patriots every year and this really affect the population of Kenya.
James Mbugua Mwangi, 13 years, Dandora .

The environment around us should be clean. Clean environment gives us good health. The environment is the life. How you keep it is how you live in it. The cleaner, the better. Our lives are what matters and therefore we should desist from making the environment dirty. Some people pollute the environment by throwing rubbish everywhere. A Lot of smoke from the vehicles damages the ozone layer, lungs of the people inhaling it and therefore is harmful to the environment. Perhaps we have heard about global warming? One of the causes of global warming is the destruction of the ozone layer which prevents direct sunlight onto the surface of the earth. The environment in Kibera is very dirty. This is due to lack of a dump site; as a result many people dispose their rubbish everywhere in the streets. In the same environment

Check the insecurity in the Slums

ch to situations su is is mainly due . Th dwellers others. Slum ms in the slum gs and many iggest proble hs and dru ne of the b en face the Insecurity is o employed yout d unable wom end. rpopulation, un e girls, old an nly th rought to an as poverty, ove attacked. Mai d should be b ar of being to them an live with the fe le act done un raped. It is a vi ng danger of bei y. The armed robber snatching and in It should these youths. ildren engage rms. Young ch employment to d. This d ith many fo , are well traine d create jobs an This comes w the policemen re society shoul ould be that d the enti e efficient and ill programs sh government an rity systems ar Talents and sk s. enhance at the secu in all the area h a platform to also ensure th security issues yed youths wit lo me, it will prove the ote the unemp At the same ti will entirely im s. This will prom or any other. all the slum ng, football e criminals. introduced to singing, danci ake them to b nts, whether in r skills/tale tivities that m ac thei m engaging in s, Kibera divert then fro utanu, 11year
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Rita M

Protect children, protect the future

A child is a boy or a girl under the age of 18 , literally. Protection is the situation where one is given maximum shield from any harm. Child protection is therefore the situation whereby a child is given shield from harm both physically and mentally. There are many ways in which a child is protected: Taking them to school instead of giving them work Give them shelter Give them food Give them clothes

Give them medical care when sick. Guiding them when they intend to do something bad However, in most cases, the children are denied all their rights. This also denies them protection and therefore, the child is prone to diseases, illiteracy, ill health and may also be indulging in drug business that belong to their parents. This is a bad act and should cease. Adults should report such cases to the police.

Education for all children

Education is w here children le arn different th development in of skills and ta lents and etique gs like, reading and writing, and contribute tte. They beco positively to th me popular pe e society .It he of things. It is tr ople lps us to succee ue that educat d and learn a lo ion starts at th had no school t e time we are s but we have born. In the pa the greatest pe up to date. Peop st, we ople that ever le like Albert Ei lived who we ch nstein, Michael inventions help erish Faraday, and m us today.suc any more who cessful they w they can be lik se ere. When child e this great pe ren get educat ople and so m ion, uch more. Education is th e key to succes s, but we have This is because many failures they were not that are educat paying attentio Some engage ed! n while they w in bad activities ere being taug like drugs, whi concentration. ht. ch cause them Concentration to lose focus an is the most im therefore whe d portant thing n lost, it becom in a student an es the first step parents have a d to failure. Often bad influence also, certain on their childre money, which n. They give th buys them thes em excess pock e drugs. There lazy and do no et are also studen t think of the fu ts who are igno ture. rant,
Cynthia Kem unto, 12 years, Kibera

Something for the stomach.

Food is an essential thing in our lives. Without food, we would not be able to work efficiently and even participate in our day to day activities. There are certain types of food to be eaten. In order to have a better health, we have to eat the correct the types of food. We ought to eat food that is clean and free from germs.

Because the food situation in Kenya is deteriorating, we should try to participate in agricultural practices in order to have enough food for everyone. Children who are hungry can do anything to get food , and that is why some go to the dumpsite . Some girls are cheated by men who give them some money , because of lack of food at home. Brian Obiri ,17 years, Fuata Nyayo.

ecret weapon Talent, the s

Most of us are always talented in many ways. Most of us have confidence in ourselves because we know that is our secret weapon, and therefore we cant allow anyone to look down upon us! Slum brings out people who are highly talented especially in soccer, music and art. Big stars like Denis Oliech, who plays for a European football club and his fellow national teammate, MacDonald Mariga and Mike Baraza were brought up in slums. Due to their persistent determination to succeed, they all excelled . They are all shining stars among the constellation. In order for you to enhance your talents, you have to believe in yourself. You also need to identify a good role model Determination is also the key to success.
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Derick Ochieng

Q: IF YOU WERE THE PRESIDENT OF KENYA,, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF THE COUNTRY?

Ibrahim, 17yrs
I would reduce the oil price since we have found our own oil in Turkana!

I would decrease the budget to the tax that people can afford . Poor people suffer so much under heavy taxes.

Nuru, 13 yrs,

Barbara, 14yrs
I would decrease the amount of cash poor pay, and increase it on the rich people. The poor people are very poor and they should be considered.

Mary, 15yrs
Reduce the charges, mostly of food to where everyone can manage to buy. Food is an basic need and children eat just a meal a day,because parents dont have have money.

Important???/? Is Sanitation

e items re there is som k is a place whe ea many bloc toilets. In our ar ess. Sanitation , trash bins and l about cleanlin ns ey feel like. Sanitation is al ple, sanitary bi h wherever th nliness, for exam n blocks. They put their tras mainly for clea tatio care about sani walk a people do not te is that if you e a dumping si ok lik ace for outside the pl akes the area lo you cant seat e thing that m en Th useflies find sewage. Ev wonder how ho steps you will . Sometimes I few l over lack houseflies e it is smelly al elly you wont fresh air becaus en if, is that sm cause ev survive there be nd there. buzzing arou t find sanitary r area you mus coming into ou onder how ing from or the ground. I w If you are mov t have used already on ve been that they don towels which ha being. I know their excuse is r bag. have wrap in a pape the girls must gh they should . But, even thou sanitary bins t toilets. Many y places withou there are man g is that y children. The worst thin eir toilets mainl ganize and e ground as th area should or people use th people in our ne who e above, llow and anyo To improve th ople should fo ey should les that pe ot only that, th make some ru be punished. N nitary bins, s should e; trash bins, sa breaks the rule d buy items lik blocks an build sanitary ry towels on water taps. and used sanita toilets and s on the ground plots, trashe elly toilets near ograph the sm I would phot Peris Wangechi 11 years the ground.
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Difficulties girls face in life

Girls face a lot of challenges both locally the community and nationwide. Today, the number of boys attending school in the slums areas is greater than those of the girls. In this communities, it is said that girls have to stay at home and do the domestic woks like cleaning and cooking. They believe that girls were meant to bring cattle and wealth to the family, the reason they were born apart from serving man. Physically, they are used as sexual commercial products just like a tissue: for use and disposal at own will. Men rape and abuse young girls. These men are not others than their sweet uncles, dads and brothers. Very close relatives indeed. Moreover, they are sent off to be married at an earlier stage of their lives, when they are supposed to start school is when they are actually meant to start family. Some undergo serious sexual harassments from men who are under drug influence is this right? To add a little bit of sugar to the salt, female genital mutilation is another major problem to the girls. They are put into harsh trials in the name of the custom and tradition, which they make us to believe, is a powerful ritual as it turns one into a real woman. Truth is that a good percentage of the girls who undergo such ritual die or have problems during birth. This should be up to stop immediately. The community ought to come together and put an end to this, without waiting for the help from government and God. Barbara Njiri Anyango

Choosing our role models

Role models are people who encourage our lives and our talents. When we choose role models we should choose models whose role are pleasing. Role models who have good morals are always encouraged because they make the childrens choose the write friends the kind of behavior they should have and the kind of talents that will benefit them. Children from ghetto are always encouraged to choose role models who will benefit their lives and talents. They should also choose role models who give them advice on how to perfect their careers . All children everywhere need good people as role models.

Protection against Diseases

e you w wher iron uld kno rs you sho ile othe nd then ut of mud wh o ses arou ed hou uses are made ongest me ho With c re, o slum! S astructu ks. are, in a d a few of bric oor infr mong de p a an ese inclu ygiene f the sheets lems. Th ls and poor h f prob ause o s bec al st full o uality hospita e to ste problem is almo A slum rtage, lack of q cause a lot of eople also com p o ho water s e outbreaks als he slum. Some rs. Fir es in t othe hous h the tion of mix wit r conges ch times. r might e d fo su the wat h is use r during aks and the taps whic es theres poo s le ter pipe ty water to hous en es wa ow ev of the ir Sometim us bringing d ic use. IN most posed of anyh es or any is t th s d as sewage ion and dome ges are being ter borne dise a a pt ad to w e kids lso garb consum n and a d this might le tually affect th ntilatio ve ven e an ids plac would e where k ailments that ad other b

Life in the slum

My Experience with a herbalist

There are many I was once very sick that i was taken to the hospital but the ill was no change. my mother decided to take me to a religious healer ,who prayed very hard for me. They was no change my grandmother decided to take me to a herbalist I was given medicine it was bitter but very strong. I almost choked as the bitter drink went through my throat. When I drunk I felt like jumping out of myself, for the next day I was healed. Then I was as happy as sand box. That made me believe that herbalist treat many and unknown diseases than professional doctors. Do you agree? Margaret Wamaitha , 13 yrs, Korogocho.

Diseases are caused by germs that attack our body defense systems. They are caused by germs like flukes, worms and bacteria. We have diseases like marasmus, kwashiorkor, scurvy and others which are caused by improper diet. Lack of nutrients like vitamin, protein and carbohydrates causes improper diet, leading to deficiency. Also lacking important minerals in the body like calcium, phosphorus and iron may lead to poor health. It is advisable to balance our diets it all these ingredients. Medicine is taken to restore this state of illness to restore your health. There are many medicines: preventive and curative . Curative cures a diseases, preventive stops illness from attacking the body. There are also vaccines and anti-retroviral medicine which prevents or lowers the virus from spreading faster. Anti-Retroviral are used against disease like HIV/AIDS. Being healthy means ones body function is restored t normalcy and therefore is free from falling sick. However the risks of falling sick are high due to several causes from the surrounding and therefore one gas to go and see a doctor from time to time. Be healthy always. Mary Mutile
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Colour the drawing

Help Joe get to the hospital for medication

Poetry Corner
OOH! Stop child labor, struggling to work, Dumped at work, Ooh! Stop child labor. I am eight years old, I fetch the water, I cook the food, ooh! Stop child abuse! No one to take care of me, No one to love me, Ooh! Stop child abuse!
Immaculate jemminah

to hear. In a si tuation where the liste ners are not attentive, the reader should have co nfidence to capture th e listeners attention

A good reader should be audible for the listener

Tips of a Good Reader

ongue twisters

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked? I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop. Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits. How can a clam cram in a clean cream can? The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday. Can you can a can as a canner can can a can? Six sick hicks nick six slick bricks with picks and sticks. I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish. There was a fisherman named Fisher Who fished for some fish in a fissure? Till a fish with a grin, Pulled the fisherman in. Now they're fishing the fissure for Fisher. There those thousand thinkers were thinking how the other three thieves went through. I was born on a pirate ship..(Hold your tongue while saying it.) Barbara A. Njiri 14 yrs

What makes children in Dandora Smile

reduced high death rate it has helped the people who are not able to pay for medicines. In Dandora there is the Dandora stadium which any activity needed can be conducted there like the schools annual sports day the Dandora football club the chief barazas meeting is also conducted there. The crusades and much more. Socialization people from other location also come and we interact with them of which brings peace. Maybe people who dont understand each other come in our location for sports competition and from there, they emberace each other with understanding.

Availability of schools of which has encouraged parents to take their children to be educated. In Dandora area there are public schools that dont pay school fees thanks to the government. There is not only public schools but also private schools. Private schools pay school fees. There are also sponsors who sponsor children to private schools. Hospitals in Dandora hospitals help immediately incase of an accident. They also offer free medical services of which has

The famous artist artist like juliani and ukoa Fulani came from Dandora. They were raised up in the Dandora slums. It is because of Dandora that they are shining like stars. Organizations like Aphia plus have helped the street children not only street children but also the unable children we mean the parent who are unable to provide for their laids needs facilities.

TALKING FOR THE GIRL CHILD

The lives of innocent children especially the girl-child in most developing countries have been shattered. The girls in some cases have not been at fertile soil and incubators of male seeds whereas women in general are referred to as domestic servants and breeding machines-a real cultural perception.

The girl child suffers discrimination and shame and in some communities, she is still a commodity of trade. In various countries, much has to be done in order to improve the status of the girl child. The dream of some girls have been thwarted through practice of early marriages which is usually organized by wealth-minded parents in some communities. Here the girls is seen as property in exchange of cattle and cash and once married off, she becomes a purchased property therefore has no say over anything. Rape is one of the inhuman acts affecting girl child. Such cases have been no the increase in our country and this has resulted into serious public outcry for stiff measurers and heavy penalties to be applied to anyone proved guilty of such unwanted or humiliating offence. Cases of rape are committed by recognized personalities, thugs and shockingly even close relatives such as brothers, uncles and even fathers. Those offended, the girls, suffers psychological trauma that sometimes last forever if proper guidance and counseling is not carried out. The victims are exposed to 10 dangers such as unwanted pregnancies. Apart from

pregnancies, those offended may contract sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and candidacies female genital mutilation is another problem affecting the girl child. They suffer common complications and the immediate physical problem that occur include severe, would infections damage to adjoined organs and bleeding. Other complications include painful or blocked menses and obstructed labour. The also suffer severe depression and increased risk of H.I.V infection. The girl child has the right to self esteem. She is the mother of future generation yet she has suffered untold discrimination, frustration and misery. Let us give the girl child the support, comfort and protection she deserves. Mary Katono, 14 years, Fuata Nyayo

UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES AND SCHOOL DROPOUTS

Sexual misuse can result in pregnancy. Young girls who get pregnant are not physically prepared to have a baby. They may have complications as they are giving birth which may lead to death.Young girls who get pregnant also suffer emotionally. Girls and boys who engage in sexual misuse may become parents when they are still too young and are unable to take care of themselves and their child. The young parents may be forced to drop out of school in order to work so that they can provide for the babys needs.We have been told unplanned pregnancies may force young girls to drop out of school.We can only plan

for a pregnancy when we are mature and settled in a marriage.When a young girl becomes pregnant,family members may feel that she is a burden because they have to take care of her and her baby.The boy and the girl involved in the pregnancy may be forced to get married when they are still young to ensure that their families are not embarrassed.

What is Child Abuse?

CHILD ABUSE IS THE exposi ng f children healthy devel to conditions opment. It is that do not al the subjecting In a nutshell ch low their natu of children to ild abuse is th ral responsibilities e misuse of ch defend themse meant for adul ildren due to lves. This evil ts. their inability practice appea be child labour to protect of rs in different , sexual molest forms in our so ation, child bat to men old en ciety. It could ter or even m ough to be th arrying of und eir guardians. economic pro erage girls Children have duction from and continue our homes to helps is quite being used fo our industries. rampant. r The use of ch ildren as hous e Many children are subjected to this throug ups.it is also co hout the coun mmon to find tr y, especially them in bars cash crop gro in urban set and at bus sto wing areas, ch ps. In rural ar ildren are forc They are treate eas especially ed to pick coff d harshly and ee, tea and pyr are not allowed molestation is ethrum. to bargain on also a widesp their own term read practice witness or read in our countr . Sexual from the pap y. More often ers that under years old have that not we age children , been raped o prostitution an some as youn r defiled. Girl d immoral g as two chidren have also been exp osed to death.Young girls who get pregnant also sexual misuse suffer emotio may become nally.Girls and parents when themselves an boys who eng they are still to d their child.T age in o young and he young to drop out of are unable to school in order take care of to work so that they ca parents may b n provide for e forced the babys needs.We have been told unp lanned pregnancies m ay force youn g girls to drop out of sc hool.We can o nly plan for a pregnancy w hen we are m ature and settled in a m arriage.When a young girl becomes pregnant,fam ily members may feel that she is a burden because they have to ta ke care of her and her baby.The boy and the girl in volved in the pregnanc y may be forc ed to get married when they are still yo ung to ensure that their families are not embarrassed.

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When you are unhealthy you cannot understand what you can be taught. When you are in class you can b e told that read the emergency you read your own words. I always thank God that I am very healthy and strong as strong as an Elephant and as fat as a pig. An idle mind is the devils workshop because why dont be like a human being clean things is a human being. Cleanliness different shape from human beings animals. You can imagine that a person cannot wash himself or herself because of fearing water. We should wash our young brothers and sisters and you parents please wash your young children as clean as possible you should wash your children time to time. They

HEALTH

should be clean always. When you are clean everybody likes you so that we prevent some diseases like measles, cholera and sweating a lot. When you wash your children at night they should get good nice and sweet dreams. When you are dirty you cannot have energy and strength. Dont clean up our bodys and forget to wash out clothes. When you are clean you are a rich person in this world. We always say cleanliness is second to Godliness. We should look the way we sleep, wear, live to drink clean water and treated, even to feed our domestic animals. We should always teach children to want cleanliness even they will not forget it when they become old.

Child Labor

Child labor is overworking underage children who are supposed to be in school. Child labor is mainly experienced in slum areas due to their lifestyle or even poverty. Child labor is also denying the child right to socialize or even play with other kids of his/her age group and instead overworking him/ her by assigning him/her the responsibility of selling groundnuts in bars, restaurants in odd hours. Some girls are even forced to go and work as house helps where they are unfortunate, mishandled and mistreated. Many children work as house-helps and some work with scrap metal dealers where they are forced to work in dirty conditions. Some kids are also forced to sell ground nuts in the streets. We urge the government of Kenya to the young boys and girls in slums whose parents have decided to overwork their children just for their pleasures or because of poverty, by educating the parents the advantages and disadvantages of child labor. We are also urging the NGOs who are willing to give a hand in this matter, to do so to help the underage kids because they are really suffering in silence. Those found putting kids in this unfair condition should be arrested. Above all we are also praying to our Almighty God to take care of underprivileged kids who are forced to work and denied their privileges as kids.

Tongue Twisters
by Dubin Kerubo Kentia can tie a tie and untie a tie why can't I tie a tie and untie a tie as kentia can tie a tie and tie a tie? If a mathematician can mathematice ten mathematics in ten seconds why cant

I mathematice ten mathematics in ten seconds? Betty bought some bitter butter so she made a piece of better butter to make her bitter butter better. Red lorry rolled along the long Limuru road. She sells sea shells at the sea shore.

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an? really cle ater we can Is our W n be sick. And ink water we ca t dr places in

le in most d if we do no d we drink an so to help peop ays we ater is the liqui ater is needed W e ways of the w aces w e following ar Most of the pl . Th d many stop to work. you need water oking food an u want to cook bathing, for co smart , for they life. If yo so we can look washing clothe oth to be clean r drinking, for r cl er for a use water fo to look for wat be clean and ou e so people go ed water so to er ldren ways. We ne ater was not th ey clothes. Chi last week the w ry dirty with th ve there in our village s. People were d for washing in the industrie er to drink an long distance do not go to was now wat ater. And there s dirty and they aying in dirty w with they hand pl stay ere hands they ildren stay clothes and th e year old. So ch . age of five to on rty places and in dirty water n at the school. pes at di inic for childre dirty e when the e the water pi that is now cl water is damag is damage wer d in the village they And the water e pipe and the ok to a clinic an week. fuse to put so t into th They are to me for a whole e water. They re dirty water ge e nts at ho ater guard to th pe damage th with there pare er? er when the pi advice to put w e get clean wat passing of wat hy people are that is w ed to ensure w And in that . And . Who is suppos the clean water es of all kinds water get into causes sickness er. This drink dirty wat ld iro, 12 Years O Teresa Nyaka

In Mathare we have many problem of taking care of water and sanitation we should take care of water which we drink, bathing, cooking, washing utensils and clothes. To make sure we take care of sewage and those places where we fetch water. I always astonished when I see some parents leaving their childrens to play in dirty places and in dirty water. The problems we have in Mathare are digging beaches or holes near the door of our neighbors, throwing rubbish and dust in water, to make water to be dirty, throwing feaces and uraning in water, I always scared when I see somebody in a dirty place. When the place is not clean we dont breath in the good air.

Water and Sanitation in Mathare

Some people you find the sleeping in dirty places out that time they have drunk Changaa and alcohol when they have drunk it affect their lives and their minds. You can imagine when you make Changaa you be as black as a charcoalplease ! please ! please ! you want to tell me that when you are sitting in a dirty place you always feel comfortably. I always feel very bad and fear these place in Mathare and when it is dirty it always boar and be the poorest place and we always say that in Mathare we are not the poorest of the poor dont drink dirty water and play an these place of you have ears you have heard what I have said in this part. Dont sell things near dirty water and lets be the best in the whole world. Let Mathare be new Mathare not old Mathare when we drink clean water we many not be affected with diseases such as Choleva measles, Malaria and Bilharzia and many others dont be dirty couple and dont leave in dirty places as the way you think in your mind. Metrine Tamnai, Mathare Primary School

The parents take care of your children and give them or show them good places dont leave your children to play in dirty water because sometimes sewage they always burst but we dont cover them. Dirty water is very poison and very dangerous for our lives giving animals dirty water and in dirty places.

ed on her med Fridah. She liv ed a young girl na as twelve There once liv away when she w parents had passed scrimiown since her d so everybody di nts died of AIDS an en fought years. Her pare that even most m e was so beautiful ay with her. nated her. Sh could adopt and st other to see who against each with the she was mistreated r away and there e time she A man took he ked and most of th . She was overwor mans family are the did not sleep. op the house, prep an the utensils, m She would cle

A USES CHILDREN FROM eakfasBfor the family. t PROTECT THE e br for school and mak
mans children n to lose weight. ted and she bega d the r health deteriora He their neighbor calle maritan who was and misLuckily a good Sa jailed for abusing nce. The man was me and police for assista n to a childrens ho ho was then take children treating Fridah w people to protest life there. We urge she had a happy em. ke good care of th from abuses and ta Derrick Ochieng
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Tukuweni Wajanja, Tuwacheni Madre (Drugs)

Watoto wengi kwenye huu mtaa hutumia mbake (tumbako) na bangi sana. Unapotumia madawa kama mbake na tumbaku unapo muona mama yako unamuona kama sio ni mtu wa maana sana. Hata unapokuwa na fursa waweza kumdhuru mtoto. Kwa mfano kunaye kijana mmoja kwenye darasa letu anayeitwa Petro.Siku mmoja alikuwa ametumwa na mama yake dukani akakutanana wasee wakivuta bangi. Hiyo mbagi ika mwafect. Alipo enda nyumbani akaona ala, kila kitu iko poa .Katika mawazo yake alikuwa inafikiria hivyo. Mama yake akamwa mbia chunga motto, akasema Ni sawa. Mama yake akamwambia anaenda kazini. Akaona mtoto amedoze akamshika akamgonga chini kisha akafa. Sasa hiyo ndiyo result ya kutumia mbagi. Sasa tukiingia kwa ma-problem zingine kuna uwarubifu wa meno, kansa ya kifua na vitu zingine mob. Wakati mwingine watu wanaona wasichana wanaa za kuwaita ,tsss,tsss,tss ,ukikataa kuenda wanakutusi. lnafaa ujiadhari anayevuta sigara anakuambia siuonje unaonja kidogo kesho yake unasema si ni tamu hebu nionje tena kesho yake unaongezeka mingi ukifika hapo umeshaharibika na ukakuwa addicted. Sasa watu waki kuuliza iyo kitu ina kusaidia na nini, unasema Inatoa stress . Sasa, nauliza swali, ukitumia madrugs kama hizo halafu uende nyumbani kwenu uharibu vitu ,na ukisha kuwa sober, sasa si unaongeza stress nyingi sana ama unatoa stress? Alafu utahitaj madrugs zaidi ambazo zitaongeza mastress zaidi. Ama? Tukuweni wajanja ,tuwacheni madre. Anne Chitayi 13 years , Mathare.

ALCOHOL ABUSE
Alcohol is a widely abused drug in our village this days. It is found in drinks such as Beer, Whisky, Wine , Brandy and Gin. It is also contained in traditionally made brews such as Busaa and Changaa. Alcohol makes people drunk. When taken often and in large qualities, alcohol leads to addiction. Alcohol has negative effects on the whole society. It affects the drinkers, their families, friend and relatives, alcohol can cause liver diseases, ulcers, mental disorders and even death to the drinker. Alcohol reduces a persons ability to make correct choices. People under the influence of alcohol are most likely to engage in immoral behavior such as sexual misuse . many road accident are caused by drunk drivers. Alcoholic spend must of their time and money on alcohol, ignoring other responsibilities at work and in the family. This results in poverty because the family is unable to take care of its basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, education and health care. If a woman is abusing drug like alcohol and she is pregnant and the other drugs like bhang, Khat the baby will be affected by the drugs. By which the baby will be born with same problems of the inner of the body. When the child is growing he or she will have same diseases that her mother does not now were they are coming from. All the diseases that are coming the baby have it he or she is not growing up very well like growing short or thin. And the baby does not want to eat the food that her mother give him to eat . when her mother take the child to the hospital the disease is now where to be see in the body of the child. So myself I think that I can help them by opening a counseling place in our village. And include the young youth go to tell them the harmful of alcohol in there bodies. Teresa Nyakaito 13Years,Fuata Nyayo Village

Changes with a Difference, A Ghetto With Meanings

Most people take ghetto as a place where poor people live but this is always wrong. As they take a good look inside it, they find a lot of talented people, people with courage and people with a willing hope to enlighten their future. NGOs are being formed with an aim of making ghetto perfect. They want to clear off the dumping sites in their areas to make the environment clean. They also form feeding programs to help to help with the problem of food shortage and they also help children to attain education. I would love to see people struggle for ghetto. bad environment problems with educating of children, problems with food and water shortage. A lot of these problems can be tackled and it indeed can bring a difference in the lives of its residents. This is because the children in these areas have amazing potential and can be great people. People can take the initiative and dispose all of their garbage properly. Can encourage their children to welcome education in their hearts and they will see how it will benefit them. Ibrahim Otieno , 17 years , Dandora.

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Most slums have lots of challenges. These are having

FRICAN CHILD Day OF THE A

First we went to the police station. We were mixed schools there in the police station. Our chief raised the flag and everyone of us stood still us we sang the national anthem. The scarts were tact what to do after we had finished recieting the national anthem. Second, the scouts led us everywhere we were going. They led us to dandora stadium ground because thats where we were supposed to meet with the other schools which had not yet arrived e.g. Neema Donholm School. Thirdly some schools recireted poems, shainis, sony songs:- English songs, Kiswahili songs, Luo song and the other songs. Before we had done all those things we prayed and told our God thank you for protecting us every where we had gone. After we had finished our chief, assistant chief, our V.L.O who was Vieima Ondech talked to all the children who

were in the stadium and told us how our parents should take care of us. Some of the children are mistreated, they go every where collecting metals, plastics and other risky things. Some of the children steal money from some houses or they snatch anything which passersby carry on their hands. The head of the the children. Said that we see any child who is abused, mistreated, given many work even they are not taken to school and the others when we take them to her/she will take care of them. All of the parents who does that to their children they are supposed to be arrests and the children to be give their rights : e.g rights to education be respected, be promoted to be given basic needs and the other. Pricilah Kabura Kamau, 12 years

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS Mchongwano

1.Atinaskia wee ni mtoi hadi kwa simu yako kwa application kuna poti 2.Naskia manzi yako ni mkonda hadi mkiingia kwa gari makanga anasema acha miwa inje 3.Kuku yenu ni mzee hadi ina moinkles kwa staky 4. Msupa wako ni ugly mpaka mki enda kupanda ndai manambiwa mzigo juu 5. Shosho yako ni mzee badala ana bomoka 6. Ngombe zenu ni noma hadi zikimaliza kukula zinaitisha tooth pick 7. Wewe ni muagly mpaka kivuli yako ina kuambia huende itakufuata 8. Una macho red mpaka ukiaagalia mahindi zina iva
To me i can say that the worst side is the side of the children. because some of them reach to a stage where they cant hear the things what they are being told by their parents and also some of them tell that they are so being when they see that their bodies has start to change especially when they move from childhood to adulthood. Especially the girls when they see those changes they feel that they can do everything they want. some of them feel that they are at the top and nothing can be told to them. even most of them dont like to corrected by their parents. In many situations when they are being corrected they become very rude and seems as if she want to beat the parent.most of the girls when they reach at a stage they dont usually want to be told,the changes that usually take place in theirbodies and how to coop up with them. To some they feel very anxious and when they are told anything by friends which their friends do they usually like trying it so that they can be same with others.for example some are told things like lets say girl was told by her parent to help do a certain work but she refuses,she start talking rudely to their parents and abuses their parent and others beat their parents and throw hands to them. After that she ends up to be loosing and becomes a useless person in future because he/she did not hear what their parents were telling them.so they should respect their parents so that they end up their live well. MARGRET WANGARE AGE: 14 SCHOOL

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Take us to the hospital W

e should be healthy for us to live a better life by eating fresh food will keep our bodies healthy. But what do people do when they get sick. They have poor health but instead of going for medical checkup they believe in witchcrafts. They go to the witchdoctors, herbalists, medicine men. What do will give his medicine in the name it treats all diseases. After giving you the medicine to treated you it adds more problems to you. Naturally will had to the herbalists and the witchdoctor and the same thing will happen. So I advice when some is sick we should go to the hospital and be checked. The doctor will check you up and he will give you the right medicine. And therefore it will treat you very well. Finally to people who believe in cultural believes. These

people should stop that habit and anyone found doing that should strictly be punished why because they believe a child should not be immunized by not taking them hospital they ruin the child the child may be paralyzed and also may end up dying because of not being taken to hospital. Lastly to people who go to witchdoctors also should be stopped from going to them why because some people have bad intention may be he wants to murder his / her child for getting rich and have property so they should be stopped. When people go there they endanger other people so I advice people to go hospital instead of seeking evil people. Chrispine Ouma, 14 years, Mathare

EDITORS NOTE:
Finally, our seventh issue is out. We thank everyone who has contributed to this magazine and those who have made sure that it is out. This magazine has been a great help and source of inspiration to people living in slums especially children. We kindly appreciate our readers, writers and editors who have helped and given us courage and freedom to express our feelings. We have been through many months of researching and seeking information but we thank God for the success in this magazine. Children are very important to the society. Parents should educate children because they are the future leaders. These children should be given

freedom to learn, for clothing, to eat and for medical care. We should support children to do what their rights states, but not to forget their responsibility. We have chosen the theme of a life with freedom because we think that children are supposed to be free to do what is right and also be given their basic rights. In this magazine we have discussed children rights and also what they go through in their lives. We hope that one day all children will be free from all bad things that stop them from living a good life. Immaculate Temmy Aketch, 14 yrs, Dandora.

TALENTS IN T HE SLUMS

Contributors and Editorial Team

For more information, contact The Editor, Email: childpeaceinkenya@gmail.com Tel: 0723547747 or 0720553523
Sabina Nyambura (17 yrs), Margaret Wamaitha (13 yrs), Diana Wambui (12 yrs), Mary Kotono (15 yrs), Ann Wanjiiru (15 yrs), Consolata Waithera (12 yrs), Derrick Ochieng (17yrs), Susan Nekesa (12 yrs), Ritari Muranu (11 yrs), Chrispine Ouma (14 yrs), Emmaculate Temmy (11 yrs), Nuru Athman (14 yrs), Naitume Zitune (14yrs), Metrine Tamnai (14 yrs), Cynthia Musimbi (14yrs), Beatrice Imbalikha (14yrs), Lilian Nyangoge (18 yrs), Wesley Esalimba (12yrs), Berly Adhiambo (13 yrs), Teresia Nyakairo (14yrs), Cynthia Kemunto (11yrs), Ruth Kananu (11yrs), Ibrahim Otieno (17yrs), Barbara Njiri (15yrs).

Layout and Design by Linet Otieno

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This magazine is developed by Child Peace Kenya with Support from APHIAplus Nairobi-Coast