SUNSHINE CENTRE
Transforming the lives of street boys in Naivasha, Kenya
WHY STREET BOYS?
They are driven to the street because of poverty, hunger, and abuse and neglect at home.
Street boys lack a stable home, regular food and education. They are also isolated from the community by their behaviour and often get into trouble with the police.
Street boys often die of disease and in fights, or may be lynched by mobs if caught stealing.
TRANSFORMING LIVES
At the Sunshine Centre we provide for the immediate and long-term needs of over 140 street boys, through:
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Safe shelter with regular, nutritious food;
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Restarting their education at an appropriate level;
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Providing counselling and spiritual support;
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Reconnecting them to their family (or extended family) during the school holidays;
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Reconnecting them to the community through activities such as football matches against local teams;
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Helping them find work when they finish their education.
SUCCESSES
James was a street boy. We cared for him for 10 years, providing him with a home, education, love and encouragement.
After a difficult start, he did well at school and became an athletic champion. These skills served him well when he applied to be a ranger with Kenya Wildlife Service.
Once a nuisance on the streets, James went on to play a vital role protecting Kenya's wildlife heritage.
If you would like to help...
James is just one of thousands who need to be helped off the streets. A monthly donation will help give a street boy a hope and a future.
Street boy success story...
My name is Edward Makori.
My mother was very poor and couldn’t care for me so I went to live on the streets. I was bullied by older boys and became addicted to drugs. At night I slept in drains or shop verandas – it was very cold. To survive, I started to steal. It was very risky because if you were caught you could be stoned to death.
In 2004 I was offered a place at the Sunshine Centre where I was very happy to find a new home with plenty of food which I didn’t have to work or beg for. It was also a clean food not like the leftovers in the streets. There was also a good place to sleep at Sunshine - a bed with blankets, not like the cold streets. And I could sleep without fear.
I did well at school and went to Masai Mara University where I graduated with a BA degree in Economics.
I thank God for His grace and Sunshine for giving me a chance to prove myself. I also thank everyone who has partnered with Sunshine in supporting me to get where I am today. May God bless them and reward them abundantly.
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How the Sunshine Centre started...
Julius was a street boy. He asked for help and we said we would build him a home. His reply was,
"But I am hungry today"
We gave him what little we had with us, and went back to the UK to start fund-raising to build him a home.
He was killed on the streets before the Sunshine Centre was completed. Our conversation with this boy who died too young is one of the reasons we do what we do.