Bungoma
By Tony Wafula
Pastor Joseph Mukolwe of Restoration of Hope Ministries who is known for his dedication in interacting with street children (Chokoraa) has never shied in offering and helping hand or otherwise forgotten street children despite the brutality of police officers during curfew time.
Mukolwe has rescued over hundred street boys who are now staying a good life as well as learning, for those who cannot go back to school he has given them bicycles to be used as boda boda and trolleys in sourcing out for income.
He says that boy child in the society has been forgotten calling on church leaders, politicians and NGO’s to intervene and save the life of boy child.
‘’We have seen many parents and guardians fighting for girl child in society, even on the streets it’s rare to find girl child suffering, the community has given a deaf ear to girl child which is bad,’’ he said, adding that street boys have nobody to help them in getting food and even providing them with shelter.
However, he adds that when the community forgets about boy child it makes many of them give up in life and go on streets on busy markets and big town where they meet with others from different backgrounds which propels them to do bad things; drug abuse and stealing.
‘’People should not see street boys as a stupid and bad people you never know what forced him to join street life, so we should join hands us friends and Christians and help this boys,’’ he said.
The clergy said that he houses thirty boys at Sikata children’s home where they go to school and also takes care of over 320 boys on the street and provide them with breakfast, lunch and supper on a daily basis.
He said since the President announced the curfew which was aimed at containing the spread of corona virus many street boys have been brutally harmed by police officers.
‘’I plead to our good County Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan talk to our police officers not to harass street boys they don’t have where they can seek refuge it’s only on the street,’’ he pleaded.
He called on leaders, Chamber of Commerce Bungoma and County government to consider Sikata Children’s home and provide them with food stuffs and face masks.
‘’During this global pandemic we need much assistance in food donations and even clothing,’’ he said.
Mukolwe said at Sikata Children’s home they are strictly following the government’s directives to combat the spread of the Virus.
Ends.
