Christian Mission Aid

A slum in Nairobi

Imagine this: From the moment you get out of your bed; a heap of rugs on a cold earthen floor , a heavy blanket of urine stench welcomes you. This is because of the broken sewer running outside your 6×6 square foot home. Your stomach growls for some food, since dinner was not available last night. To use a bathroom costs you at least Kshs.2, an amount you could use to buy a slice of bread or two; posing tough choices. And home; home is nothing like where the other kids, in an estate only a mile away, live. Home is a cardboard shanty, and if lucky, maybe a tin roof to shelter you from the rain. School is the place to look forward to as people of goodwill in the neighborhood take you in to teach and feed you on porridge and lunch.

While this is merely your imagination, it is the reality for Sam Muthonga; the life he lives.

Sam Muthonga

Sam, 12 years old, joined school late because his parents could not afford to pay for his education. He is currently in third grade and enjoys school. School is a source of joy to him because, apart from getting an education, and having at least a meal a day, and some delicious porridge, he is assured of attending youth camp whenever school breaks for holiday.

We caught up with Sam, during his ‘quiet time’ at the Lukenya Camp this August. The scenery was obviously different from what he is used to in the slum. Here, he wakes up every morning, from a comfortable bed shared with no one, to birds’ chirping, fresh air and a clean bathroom to use free of charge. He is assured of breakfast and lunch, just like the delicious dinner he had last evening, and plenty of water to bathe and drink. There is plenty of food and water here. That is not all; the serene environment is adorned with wild life, living only a stone’s throw away. “I have seen giraffes in the morning. It is so amazing,” says Sam.

“I love camp,” he continues with a wide smile. “Apart from the food and comfort, we learn so much. There are fun quizzes we do using the big computer, and plenty of fun games too.”

Sam and hundreds of children coming from Nairobi slums like Mitumba, Sinai, Mathare, and Kangemi attend youth camp every school break, that is, three times a year. The Children’s Ministry program of Christian Mission Aid facilitates all that is required to enable children living in slums to attend youth camp. Each camp visit inspires hope in the children for a brighter future. Thanks to our friends and partners, each child sponsored to attend youth camp returns home having learnt a lot about God and His amazing love for them.  With wonderful counselors and Lukenya Camp director, Paul Weaver, every child goes through mentoring, guidance and counseling.

Lukenya Camp management trains the counselors to be able to mould the characters of the youth in to all rounded people, irrespective of their social and religious status. This August, nearly a hundred youth, including two Muslims, Shaaban Mureithi and Salma Hussein, gave their lives to Christ at the camp. About 400 youth attended the camp on separate schedules.

The bible study focus at the camp was on David and Daniel. “The teachings were awesome, and I couldn’t help yearning to know this God who lived in great men like David and Daniel,” says Shaaban.

Youth playing at the camp

The camp is result oriented, and through it, youth are able to step back from their daily routine and just be youth. The camp serves as an avenue not only of spiritual growth, but also social growth since the interactive games and physical exercises the youth engage in allow them to bond and make possible lasting relationships. They are encouraged to embrace team work as opposed to an individualistic approach to activities, to break the negative competitiveness that can ruin youth.

Bernard Mbuku

For Bernard Mbuku, a form four student from Kuwinda Slum in Nairobi, getting a clearer focus of his career of choice was the greatest achievement from the camp. “My counselor helped me understand what my future career really entails,” says Bernard who wants to become a lawyer in order to fight for the rights of children living in slums. “I also learnt to overcome anger and choose good friends. I thank CMA for giving me this chance,” he adds.

“Some of the youth come really hardened by life in the slum, but leave as some of the best leaders by the time camp ends in just one week. We intentionally reach out to the hardened and most influential ones in the camp to become a positive influence to the rest of the youth. By the third day, you can already see change in the youth. We see great leaders out of these kids,” Paul says.

Youth camp is always worth the three months’ wait for these youth. They work hard in school hoping for another wonderful opportunity to go for a week of youth camp when school breaks. This would not be possible without your kind support for these children to experience a life of hope in God. Your faithful giving is making a difference in the life of many destitute children here in Africa.

Thank you for supporting Youth Camp.