President Kenyatta's declaration of an all-out war against drug peddling and abuse comes as a ray of hope in Country that has seen an upsurge in substance abuse in recent years. NACADA reports 5.5% of Kenyans are addicted to alcohol(could be much more),0.1% are injecting drug users and 1.2% use marijuana/bhang.
While the government comes in at a time when situation is a national disaster,communities have been using limited skills and resources to address the same and set their communities free from its disastrous effects.Here is one such story from Taveta-Kenya.
Nancy*
started smoking bhang at the tender age of 10.By the time she was 17, she could
have more than 6 sticks of the illegal drug a day.
She belonged to a feared gang of idlers who
roamed the streets of Taveta –getting high all day and partied all night moving
from one club to another in Kenya and Tanzania-across the border.
On several occasions she got into brutal fights with other
gangs and people who dared challenge them, they were untouchables. At times,
she had to prostitute to get money to buy drugs and alcohol.
Looking back
now, Nancy dreads the life she lived. At 19,a reformed addict and a
tailoring student in a boutique in Taveta, she realizes she could have easily
have either contracted HIV, ended up in prison or even died from the effects of
that risky life.
When
her father died, her unemployed mother could not afford to school her and five younger
siblings, let alone feed and clothe them .As a result of idleness, Nancy made
the wrong friends and ended up in a gang.
“I joined
the gang because I knew no other life. I loved them as they offered me free
food, bhang and friendship which I lacked at home,” said Nancy.
Her turning
point came in 2010 at an event in the town’s main square. After watching a play
by KULOSHA, a local youth group educating the audience on positive behavior change,
she was not only impressed by their positive message but also the impact her
age-mates were making such impact in the society and their good conduct. Two
months later, she left her gang and joined the group, a decision she is yet to
regret.
Meaning
‘teaching’ in Taveta language, KULOSHA is a CBO formed in 2007 by local youth.
Through donor funding, the group has successfully championed Behavior change initiatives through Magnet theatre and small
group discussion sessions to encourage in-and-out of school youth to desist
from drug abuse, illegal good trafficking across the border and prostitution,
vices common place in the border town and whose quick money lures many youth
out of school.
With
proceeds from their account , the group
sponsored Nancy to a six month tailoring course and still intend to buy her a sewing machine to kick
start a business after completion.
“We decided to sponsor the training to enable
Nancy earn an income instead of depending on the group. That way she will have
no reason to go back to the gang” Explained the group chairman.
Similarly,
the group is now a key stakeholder in the community working closely with the
Ministry of health, local administration, NGOs and is recognized key decision
makers in their community. They have started profitable income generating activities
enabling them give loans to not only group members but also other parties. Due to
their positive influence, like minded youth CBO’s have been formed and are
slowly helping young people find direction in their lives.
“I look
forward to a better future now, KULOSHA has really changed me. I am glad I
decided to change as seeing my transition many of my former peers have left the
gang and are rebuilding their lives”, Said an optimistic Nancy.
Names changed to protect identities
No comments:
Post a Comment