Once the tour of the elephant orphanage was complete we grabbed a bite to eat, we were off to another slum. We visited a children’s home called Shangilia that is located within this slum.
We took a look at the classes, the office and play area. The kids all knew who Paul was. Their faces light up when they saw him. They were so excited. We played with them for a while. I enjoyed every moment spent with the children. It was priceless.
The director, Jappheth Njena told me a bit about Shangilia. These children are either, orphaned, abused or have been living on the streets within the slums. They are in rough shape when they arrive. They are used to being verbally or physically abused living in a world of hate and distress. Psychologically they are in poor condition. Their behavior is poor at first. However, as time goes on and the children figure out they are in a safe place with individuals that care about their wellbeing, their behavior starts to improve.
We took a look at the classes, the office and play area. The kids all knew who Paul was. Their faces light up when they saw him. They were so excited. We played with them for a while. I enjoyed every moment spent with the children. It was priceless.
The director, Jappheth Njena told me a bit about Shangilia. These children are either, orphaned, abused or have been living on the streets within the slums. They are in rough shape when they arrive. They are used to being verbally or physically abused living in a world of hate and distress. Psychologically they are in poor condition. Their behavior is poor at first. However, as time goes on and the children figure out they are in a safe place with individuals that care about their wellbeing, their behavior starts to improve.
The school has over 100 children residing there. These children are a testimony to potential that exists within the world of poverty. Many of them are trained in acrobatics. The website states, “Twenty-three children gave their first public performance before a capacity audience in Nairobi's National Theatre on the eve of 12th July 1994. The occasion was on the visit to Kenya of Four members of the United Nation's Commitee of Ten (established to monitor the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child). The children's exuberant performance culminated in the building of a human pyramid from the top of which Kamau, wearing filthy tattered clothing, proclaiming the Rights of the Child. Shangilia was born with a standing ovation and the children went on to perform in schools and churches all over Kenya under the tutelage of Kenya's late popular actress, Anne Wanjugu. The children have since taken their show to Germany, Thailand, China, Zanzibar, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mayote, Greece and the USA.” http://www.shangilia.org/
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