Gachagua’s spouse launches initiative for street children

Street children across the country are set to benefit from a mentorship program launched by the second lady, Pastor Dr Dorcas Gachagua.

Consequently, she has appealed to stakeholders to register the children for rehabilitation and detoxification in various centres before joining Technical, Vocational, and Education Training Institutions (TVETs) to acquire skills for self-reliance.

She spoke at Kisii primary school in Kisii County during a free medical camp for the children, drivers and conductors in Kisii County. More than 1000 people were screened for various diseases and conditions.

Governor Simba Arati, Deputy, Dr Robert Monda, lawmakers- Zaheer Jhanda ( Nyaribari Chache) and Dorice Aburi ( Kisii county) accompanied her at the school.

“Our children have been wasted with drugs, alcohol and substance abuse. It is time we make a concerted effort to help them lead decent lives” she said, adding, the boy-child was more vulnerable to the abuse.

Commit crimes

Drug and substance abuse, noted the second Lady, has forced the children and youth to commit crimes, leading to prolonged jail terms which affect their lives and families.

She challenged community members to embrace the boy-child and the girl-child equally and support them to foster their growth and development.

“Some people brand the boy-child ‘crooks’ that should be restricted to risky jobs. The attitude is bad and demoralising” Dorcas noted.

The second Lady implored community members to know the agony the boy-child undergoes and give him a level playing ground like the girl-child to exploit his potential.

She said 200 street children in Nyandarua county are being trained at TVETs, noting, once they acquire the skills, the government will support them.

And, addressing Kisii School students during a sensitisation program against alcohol, drug and substance abuse, she challenged the learners to shun the vices, terming them destructive.

Social media

She implored the students to also avoid misusing social media, emphasising, bad information they leave will haunt them and ruin their future careers and lives.

Hosted by Chief Principal, Fred Mogaka and Board of Management chair, Patrick Nyagosia, she urged the students to keep off bad companies that will spoil their lives. “Look for people to inspire and mentor you. Work hard and do not let your poor background distract your focus” she urged the youth.

Donya challenged the students to avoid indulging in immoral activities that would derail their education and negatively affect their lives.

She urged the boy- child to respect the girl-child and shun activities which could lead unwanted pregnancies and affect the latter.

“ Once the girl-child gets pregnant, it will burden her parents to care for the children” Donya said.