How does KITO impact the lives of our youth?
“KITO has given me renewed hope and I feel encouraged to build a future for my son.” Milly.
KITO’s work is dedicated to one belief: we must keep OUR youth off the streets. For populations like street youth, a job signifies a bridge to social reintegration. For those who have never been employed, a job is a source of pride and security. A job provides an opportunity for a healthy livelihood. A job is ultimately about dignity and freedom.When youth are economically independent, they are more likely to contribute and to engage in the economic, social and political affairs of their community and country.
Youth who work for KITO save up to 25% of their income, and invest money on their health and families. And, dedicated to the street youth movement, our youth mentor their friends still on the streets, while some have started savings groups at street youth bases (where street youth congregate) in Nairobi.
The Story of Alex Govinda.
My name is Alex and I am 22 years old. I am an orphan. I lost my parents when I was very young. I was in school, but had started going to the street to hustle for money to be able to support myself. Life was so hard since I had no money and no one to support me. I would collect metal scraps and sell them to earn money for food.
When I joined the street, I was living with my cousin who was later shot dead because he was an armed robber. I was rescued from the streets by Kivuli Centre for Rehabilitation and was taken back to school. I finished two years of high school, before I had to drop out. There was no more funding and I had to return to the streets. During that time, some of my friends on the street were shot dead. I was also engaged in crime, but I was lucky to not have been shot.
In 2009, a guy named Wiclif came to our base and share with us his dreams and vision for street youth since he was a former street boy. Initially we were apprehensive about him because other people had come to us before, promised to help, took pictures and disappeared.
Wiclif organized discussions at his workshop where we talked about our challenges and resolutions, and from there, we basically designed KITO with him. We were really encouraged by Wiclif and he really inspired us. We also wanted to be like him, or even better. In 2010, during the selection from the thirty street youths from different bases, I was one of the seven selected.
Since I started working for KITO, my life has really changed. I now earn a regular income to pay my own rent and meet my needs, and I also save five hundred [shillings] every month. I have a safe place to save my money and also to live.
In KITO, I have gone through training and acquired skills that I will also pass on to my comrades who are still on the streets. KITO gave me an opportunity to better my life and think about my dreams.
[*NOTE: This story was told by Alex to a KITO staff member. The photos of Alex on the streets were taken under his direction. At Kito, we ensure that our clients and employees are represented as they would like.]
To read more about how and why we measure our impact, click here