Yesterday was a beautiful Saturday. I spent my day at a charity event trying to raise awareness about women and girls in prisons country wide. The sun was out and being that it has rained for several days, we were lucky. The scenery adorned with tones of gorgeous artwork and warm faces. Some selling, others buying and some like me and team members from Clean Start Kenya raising awareness on different worthy causes.
Among those present were Riding For The Disabled Association (more details here http://rdakenya.org) whose cause touch the lives of many disabled people in Kenya. The amazing East African Women's League (see more http://eawl.org) who are interested in making women's lives easier and better in the East African region. Also Eboo (http://ebooinkenia.nl) who try to keep Kibera young children in school. Kibera is the largest urban slum in Africa.
Present Clean Start Team Members. From right Joss Carruthers (who is also the co founder), Njoki (our newest team member... this was her second day out :), Mumbi (She is the one mainly involved in dealing with the 300 children in prisons! Such a beautiful soul) followed by Teresa Njoroge (She's the brains behind starting Clean Start Kenya. We all fell in love with it starting with Joss) Then Celine follows (writing her story soon... you will be moved) Then Irene in the final red tee (She is everything. From our main counsellor to organizer) The gorgeous orange haired lady standing next to me is Helen. (She is usually the one making sure everything is in place and everyone is comfortable) Lastly me :)
We took turns hourly on a small platform as each of us tried to enlighten our audience on our cause. I must say none of us didn't deserve that chance. Each and every word made sense to people. I was encouraged though by how people made pledges and commitments to help those in need. I watched as women listened to us (Clean Start team) in shock as we explained how fellow women lack even sanitary towels. Some cried when they heard children being raised in prisons lack proper meals.
We have 20,000 women behind bars in Kenya. Around 300 young children all below five who have accompanied their mothers to serve their sentences. Plus young girls scattered all over rehabilitation centers and less than 50 in Kamae; the only female juvenile institution in Kenya. Most of them are not allocated any funds to cater for their feminine needs by the government. They go for days without baths or good food. Survive on cutting their old mattresses or blankets through their menstrual cycles. It's irritating and heavily sad.
My turn to speak... Our two founders looking on :)
People donated clothes especially for the young ones; made pledges to do something this Christmas; commitments to donate sanitary towels and much more. I felt overwhelmed. Like I was among those in prisons. My task of lending my voice paid off. And that also got me endless warm hugs and beautiful smiles who really supported our cause. It is always an amazing feeling! Lets keep spreading love as much as we can and advocate for helpless as we would for ourselves :)
Thanks for coming by.
^^ Black Queen.