(ANS – Nairobi) – A group of children from Bosco Boys, Nairobi Kenya left for England on 17 June to perform different Traditional African dances for various audiences. They are primary school children who study at the Bosco Boys, children of the project and children from various slums around Nairobi who study at Bosco Boys.

They will also attend workshops organised by various primary schools in England. The group is sponsored by Anger Charity, England whose aim is to eradicate poverty through music. The money raised through these performances will be used to meet the expenses of the trip and the balance for the education of the poor youngsters at Bosco Boys. The highlight of their trip will be at the prestigious education exhibition where many famous groups come to perform.

Bosco Boys is a project started for children in need in 1990, mostly for former street children of Nairobi. This project has grown in these few years with the help received from the generous people. Today within the project over 600 boys and girls are given primary, secondary and university education. Technical skills trainings are offered for those who do not make it to Secondary. Most of the beneficiaries are boys who were roaming the streets of Nairobi. At Don Bosco Primary School there are boarders and day scholars who come from the slums around Kuwinda. Within the project there are two nursery schools in the slums of Kariua and Kuwinda.

There are thousands of street boys in Nairobi and it is impossible to assist all. Hence Bosco Boys Project decided to assist those boys who are between the age of 8 and 15 who express the desire to better their life through education. The boys who come are first of all interviewed by the social worker and then a committee decides about the nature of assistance and then finally the chosen ones are sent to a reception and rehabilitation center Bosco Boys-Langata. At this centre a boy may stay for 6 months to one year and during his stay there he is expected to give up the bad habits of sniffing glue, smoking bhang etc. The well behaved ones are moved to the main center of Bosco Boys-Kuwinda which is also the coordination centre of the entire project. Primary education or non-formal technical training is given to those who come from Langata to Kuwinda. Boys who are still roaming around the streets of Nairobi are free to come to Bosco Boys-Kariua for a wash and classes.

Those who complete the primary education are assisted to go on with their secondary education or are advised to choose technical training in the sister institutions of Bosco Boys: Don Bosco Boys’ Town, Karen, Don Bosco Training Centre, Makuyu and Embu. The secondary education is given at Don Bosco Technical Secondary School, Embu or any other schools close to their own homes and in schools where they can be followed easily. The boys are assisted through professional counseling to accept their families and the society and to overcome the difficulties they face in their life.

A good number of boys are now reunited with their families. The centre is a home and a school for the children based on the educational system of Don Bosco called preventive system. Bosco Boys closely network with other projects which deal with children at risk. The brass band, acrobats and choir of Bosco Boys are able to give professional shows. In the past three years the students of Bosco Boys brought home a trophy in the Kenya National Music Festival. In sports too the young people excel.

Published 20/06/2012