Base visits

Friday, as every other Friday, the team went into Eastleigh. We divided into groups then went out. We had visitors from Harding University with us. They had the chance of seeing street-life. As always the bases are always welcoming and never boring, full of jokes, laughter. We came to a base that had only guys of about 20 yrs plus. Though they were high on something (most likely jet fuel), one was willing to pray for the others. As he prayed we felt the warmth. His prayer lasted minutes, he mentioned almost all living things under heaven, including names of all his friends that he knew on the streets. He also said a prayer for the government, the Somalis, the police who keeps harassing them. He also mentioned the names of all team that were present there.

We went on to another base, only to find a security guard trying to beat a street boy, the boy had helped himself near the building where the guard was guarding. Our friend was so drunk that he was shaking from the drugs he had taken. We talked the guard down and helped remove the excrement that was near his building. Obviously the guard wanted to know more about us... on mentioning kulu (Charles' streets nickname), he said he was a former street boy and was helped some by Charles while he was still principal at KCITI, the guard used to come for the youth program, and remembered the sports and activities that were there then.

Next base, were so many boys that we did not know how to distribute the bread that we had, we knew that a fight would break out and decided to tell a story and the keen once who answered the questions would be ones getting the bread. The good thing was the younger ones were more keen than older ones... so the young ones who were our target, got bread.

At the base called Mlango Kubwa, the team found a girl who is positive. She was in such a pathetic state. We came back to the center to discuss what we could do. Evans, from Eastleigh was so worried that if we don't do anything, HIV/AIDS will spread in the bases. Because that girl, could be raped or sell her body to guys for protection. The lady (Kanini-rival to MITS and claims to protect the street youths) said she was taking care of her, but all she was doing was getting money form well wishers in the poor girls' name and spending it on her business of selling glue and other drugs to young street boys.

So, the team came to a common understanding that the girl be taken from the base and taken back to her mother, then her mother to work out a plan to get her help and support from her relatives. We helped by getting them funds to do all things that concerns finances.

Such events are all on the streets.