The EmpowerWave Mentorship Program Busia Edition: Why Children in the Villages Need You

I dare you not to smile back at a child who smiles at you. I dare you not to throw your head back in laughter at a child with a wicked sense of news humor. I dare you not to get on your feet and dance alongside primary school kids as they perform a traditional African dance, Scottish dance and modern, local dance. I dare you not to admire their fluctuating voices as they deliver lines from compelling poetry, their faces masked with fearless, animated expressions. I dare you not to swell with pride when you hear a rugby team from Kenya traveled abroad to play foreign teams and win.?

I dare you not to hear the sound of your heart break when you learn that there is a huge portion of students not in school because they cannot afford sh100 for their examination fee, 4 gorogoros of maize and 3 gorogoros of beans to fill their bellies during lunch period, to repair a worn out piece of school uniform much less buy a new one, buy sanitary towels, to miss work and fail to accrue enough money to cater to their families’ primary needs. I dare anger not to bubble in your chest when you hear that parents simply abandon their children in the villages to fend for themselves; leaving their children’s care to senile grandparents who themselves need care or to themselves. Imagine that, a primary school kid assumes the role of a parent, won’t they wind up being actual parents themselves in a matter of weeks??Imagine a parent who unabashedly says that their child should stay hungry all day and still learn because they did the same while they were in school?

A week ago, Kosi Africa visited 16 schools across Busia County; 4 secondary schools and 12 primary schools for our EmpowerWave Mentorship Program. Partnering with Momo Pencils, we visited each school, with the sole purpose of changing their mindset, introducing them to the concept of entrepreneurship and societal impact, elevating their environmental consciousness and letting them know that someone, somewhere cares. We managed to impact over 2500 students and engage approximately 600 teachers. The students- intelligent and talented- were receptive, enthralled with speakers who were telling them that their pasts were not mirrors of their futures, that education and talent could free them from their shackles of poverty, abuse, mental health issues and degraded environments. It was quite sad to meet students who did not believe they were beautiful and worthy, to meet those with no dreams, to meet those with ambitious dreams but no bridge to reach them. These students, students who knew the capital city of New Zealand (do you know?), students who brought art to life with their pencils, students whose bodies could move effortlessly and beautifully to the sound of traditional drums, modern and classical music, students who want to solve societal problems such as finding a green way to dispose of used diapers and sanitary towels, students who plant and nurture indigenous seedlings, students who can win in the field and in class too…students whose potentials have the potential to remain stunted because they lack the support to thrive. No proper platform to showcase their gifts. No finances to fund their education. No parental support.?

It’s like planting a seed and abandoning it. No water, no sunlight, no cover, no manure. All you can expect is a stunted plant or a wilted one. If by some miracle one seed does manage to sprout and produce a thriving plant, it’s just that one out of hundreds and thousands.?

In this one school, the principal decided to help three sisters after their mother abandoned them to fend for themselves. The firstborn in the family, twelve years then, was left in charge of her younger sisters. Today, the principal has managed to get the firstborn on a high school scholarship program at a local day school. As neat as this is, the girls still struggle with food at home, primary school fees and basic hygiene products. How many more children across Busia County and Kenya at large are suffering from the same? How many more principals and teachers have to dip their hands in their pockets (of already little income) to cater to the needs of needy students in their schools??

The hard truth is, this is unsustainable. If a teacher or principal moves, the student (s) are once again left to fend for themselves. It’s the same thing as giving a street kid food today. Yes, this kind gesture caters to today’s rumbling stomach but what about tomorrow? And the next day? And the next day?

The CBC system has equipped these students with practical skills. They can weave, crochet, do woodwork/carpentry, paint, draw, do beadwork, farm and so forth. These same kids can dance, sing, perform poetry, play indoor and outdoor sports, do journalism and so forth. These skills can be nurtured and showcased such that they educate these children and once educated, these children can solve problems in their societies.?

This is what Kosi Africa is all about; sustainable projects that offer sustainable solutions to perpetual societal problems. Through projects such as EduGreen and Cords of Change, we aim to help students formulate long-term ways to fund their education and even cater to their primary needs.?

Honestly, we have the power to change these kids’ lives. Kids’ whose school fees range from 1500sh to 2000sh per year (20 USD). Kids who can’t afford 200sh examination fee per term. Kids who feel ashamed and isolated because they lack sanitary towels and wear torn uniforms. Kids who cannot repeat the words, “I am beautiful.”?

The anthem for the EmpowerWave Mentorship Program as led by our mentorship lead was;?

I know I can, I know I can?

Be what I wanna be

If I work hard at it

I will be where I wanna be

We want these children, children of Kenya to actually believe that they can, that hard work actually pays.?

Join the movement; KOSI AFRICA.?