Adamu

It’s 7am in Nairobi and 21-year-old Adamu’s day has already begun. He’s about to head out and start his day working as a porter in the city’s Central Business District (CBD). He’s got his trusty trolley, which he's also called Adamu, with him, without which, he would still be living the totally different life he had just six months ago.

a childhood to forget

Adamu’s life began in a city to the northwest of Nairobi. After leaving school at 15, he started supporting his mum and his sister after his mum lost her job, by carrying bags for customers at a local supermarket. Life at home was tricky because the family didn’t have access to some of the most basic needs and before long, friends he met on the street had convinced him to move to Nairobi to earn more money for his work. However, life in the city was more difficult than he imagined and before he knew it, the streets were home.

Like many other children on the streets in Nairobi, Adamu was subjected to lots of abuse, not only from police interventions to stop them begging, but also from general members of the public.

“The police used to harass us when they found us begging in the CBD which makes us feel sad and unsafe. I also feel sad when there are fights and bullying within our group and about the mistreatment we get from community members – they see us as thieves. I used to feel very lonely because I had no one to share my challenges with.”

“I wanted to do something better than selling drugs but I didn’t know where to start.” Adamu

In July 2021, Adamu became aware of Toybox’s partner, Pendekezo Letu, and their activities with other young people living on the streets. He soon got involved, playing football, and later seeking support from the project worker, Kamande, to turn his life around.

“Now I attend the project, I feel loved and cared for. I know I can talk to the project workers whenever I have life challenges. It makes me and my friends feel happy when they come to mingle and listen to us at the base.”

Transformation on the streets

In the short time PKL has been working with Adamu, the transformation has been clear. Not long after he started attending activities, he had asked for mentorship on how to start his own business so that he could earn an honest living instead of surviving on selling drugs. Now he has set up his business and can see the change in his life.

“My business is carrying luggage for people using my trolley. Now I’ve got my trolley and business, I feel that my standard of living has improved a little bit to a higher class. You can even note that I seem different from the others because I am somehow now able to provide for myself and even buy food for my friends at the base who cannot afford it. Sometimes, I even lend my trolley to my friends who want to earn their own money too. I’ve also learned from the project how to manage my business by being kind to customers and not misusing my profits."

“I’m so proud of myself for buying my trolley and for being self-employed.” Adamu

Changes now, for the future

"The most significant change for me is that I will be able to provide for myself. I’m now able to buy clothes for myself. Before, I used to wear dirty clothes but now, I am cleaner as I can buy clothes for myself. Before, I used to beg for food in the CBD but nowadays, I buy my own through the proceeds earned from my luggage carriage business.

My life has totally changed, especially when it comes to making good decisions about life issues. Playing football helps me get physical exercise as well as creating bonds with other base members because we play as a team. I also don’t beg or borrow on the streets – I can honestly say my life is better now compared to before I started my business, I don’t sell drugs now.

I’m so proud of myself for buying my trolley and for being self-employed. My trolley is the most important thing in my life because it is my means of earning an income here on the streets, it makes working easier than carrying luggage on my shoulders and it acts as a security from police harassment – when they see me with it, they know that I am working and not engaging in other illegal business.

I want to be successful in life. My dream is to become a successful businessman. I want to work hard and have money. When I get enough money, I will rent a house and move out of the streets. I am good at doing business and I love respecting others. I want to start a family and show other street children they can come out of the streets and live like other people."

“If I were the President, I’d take all children from the streets back to their homes where they will be provided for, and I’d end corruption in the country. Then street children could access the funds they need to be supported – no street child loves being on the streets. We all want to succeed and move off the streets.” Adamu