Since I've been back, what I've noticed I talk about most of my experience in East Africa is what I saw on the streets.
Now I know, my experience was a much better one than most people. I didn't get robbed, I was lucky enough to have family to meet up with the entire time, and I had all the advantages of being a tourist along with living there. But I still saw things and had my eyes opened to what problems occur in the third world.
I don't think people realize how lucky they are to live in the West. And I also don't think telling people from here how lucky they are will change things.
When I was volunteering at the National Library, the driver would take me through one of the bad parts of town. Every morning and every afternoon we would go down the same street. And each day, the sights never ceased to stop amazing me.
I will try my best to describe the scene but I don't know if it will do any justice.
We would turn onto a side street cluttered with shacks and people. Music would be blasting, people would be doing their daily business and then to my right, there was a huge sewer ditch. On the edge of the concrete were kids. All along the side. Just laying there.
They were all high. One of the big problems in Kenya and Tanzania is glue. These kids sniff it to get high and remain addicted.
Every time I passed them the same thought would go through my mind; No one cares. They pass by these kids and act as if it is nothing. Those kids are born on the streets, die on the streets and no one cares or knows.
When I talked to people about it, they viewed it as a nuisance. Like a weed in a flower garden.
No one wants to do anything because it isn't "their problem", the governement doesn't have the means or the money to set up programs for these kids (unlike the United States and most of the Western world).
I learned, from a friend Brian, that there is a way for these kids to get out. But they are brainwashed by a "street father" - basically a pimp who keeps them high and asking for money. At night the police will do a sweep to try and catch these kids if they have no where to sleep. If these kids are caught they will get sent to an orphanage where they will be disciplined and sent to school. They have a chance to change, but the discipline is what keeps them away.
I see all these news stories about helping our homeless and new programs and I just think to myself, the homeless in the West are lucky. They have options. Lots of options. They can turn their lives around. People here care about them and want to help.
When I was volunteering at the National Library, the driver would take me through one of the bad parts of town. Every morning and every afternoon we would go down the same street. And each day, the sights never ceased to stop amazing me.
I will try my best to describe the scene but I don't know if it will do any justice.
We would turn onto a side street cluttered with shacks and people. Music would be blasting, people would be doing their daily business and then to my right, there was a huge sewer ditch. On the edge of the concrete were kids. All along the side. Just laying there.
They were all high. One of the big problems in Kenya and Tanzania is glue. These kids sniff it to get high and remain addicted.
Every time I passed them the same thought would go through my mind; No one cares. They pass by these kids and act as if it is nothing. Those kids are born on the streets, die on the streets and no one cares or knows.
When I talked to people about it, they viewed it as a nuisance. Like a weed in a flower garden.
No one wants to do anything because it isn't "their problem", the governement doesn't have the means or the money to set up programs for these kids (unlike the United States and most of the Western world).
I learned, from a friend Brian, that there is a way for these kids to get out. But they are brainwashed by a "street father" - basically a pimp who keeps them high and asking for money. At night the police will do a sweep to try and catch these kids if they have no where to sleep. If these kids are caught they will get sent to an orphanage where they will be disciplined and sent to school. They have a chance to change, but the discipline is what keeps them away.
I see all these news stories about helping our homeless and new programs and I just think to myself, the homeless in the West are lucky. They have options. Lots of options. They can turn their lives around. People here care about them and want to help.
No comments:
Post a Comment