“I was begging in the streets, and it was hard. I couldn’t see any future.” Zera
Growing up in rural village, about 250km north-west of Nairobi, Zera’s life started in a way not dissimilar from any other child growing up in the Kenyan countryside. She lived with her parents, her two younger brothers and her grandmother, with the family getting by selling vegetables in a local open-air market. One day however, tragedy befell the family when both Zera’s parents died, leaving her and her little brothers in the care of their grandmother.
Onto the streets
Unable to take care of three children on her own, Zera’s grandmother encouraged her to drop out of school when she was only in Year 2, before sending her, as the oldest child, to live with her uncle in a densely populated, low-income suburb of Nairobi.
Over time, Zera’s presence in the house began to create tension. Her aunt felt the pressure of having to look after her as well as her own children. Eventually, the conflict between her aunt and uncle became so great that Zera ran away and found herself in one of Nairobi’s most notorious slums. There, she met another girl in a similar situation, who offered her shelter, but before long, her new friend also began complaining of the financial strains of hosting Zera. Just a few weeks later, she found herself on the streets again, relying on begging to earn enough money to survive.
“Life was so difficult, I felt hopeless and miserable, I had no motivation to live. I was begging in the streets, and it was hard. I couldn’t see any future. I started using bhang (marijuana), miraa (a leaf with stimulant properties) and glue just to cope with the street.” Zera
A new life on the streets
It was during this time that Zera fell pregnant with her daughter, Xolani, who is now 5 years old. When Xolani was born, the challenges Zera faced only increased. She experienced lack of food, income, and shelter – one time, she even remembers a terrible day when she and Xolani had to sleep outside in the pouring rain because they could not find anywhere dry.
“I felt so sad and wasted. The environment around here is not clean, the river is dirty and children play nearby. There was a lot of insecurity, people getting mugged and so many people using drugs.”
Having Xolani to look after made Zera look for ways she could get support and advice on how to cope with her daily challenges and take better care of her baby. This was when she became aware of PKL, Toybox’s partner in Kenya. Before long, Zera was taking part in life skills workshops, sessions offering mentorship and business support and support to improve her mental health. She’s also learned about children’s rights so now she can support Xolani to access hers as she grows up.
“The most significant change is that I’ve learned positive ways to deal with the streets and how taking better care of myself means I can take better care of my child.” Zera
Building a business
Through the workshops with PKL, Zera learned vital skills that have helped her set up her own business.
“I sell ice pops. They are affordable and the weather is almost always favourable. The business often makes 100% profit, for example, I buy stock worth 150 shillings (approximately £1) and easily make a profit of 150 shillings when I sell. I feel happy and proud. Now I’m able to provide for my own needs through income from the business. My child can get food and go to school. I’m not idle and depressed like I used to be.
Having my own business has made me learn to spend my money wisely since I earn it from hard work as compared to before, where I used to get money from begging. I misused it because I knew I would receive more money from begging afterwards.”
Zera’s life has changed in other ways too by attending project activities.
“I have found new friends who impact my life positively and are supporting my business by buying the ice pops. The sessions we attend teach you to become a better and stronger person and how to take good care of your child. People feel happy when they are treated well and have people who understand and support them. Togetherness is good for whenever there are life challenges or like when grief occurs. I have now also been able to rent a small room where I’m staying with my daughter. Sometimes I’m short on rent, but it’s better than the street. These days, I’m not as idle as before when I spent a lot of time with bad friends, using drugs. I’ve also stopped sniffing glue as most of the time I’m busy with my business!”
Building a future
With her business going well, Zera’s future is looking bright and she’s determined to break the bias against young women in her situation with her big dreams for what she wants to achieve next.
“I wish to expand my business to have my own boutique to sell babies and ladies clothes – I’d love to import clothes from Dubai to sell.”
“I’m proud to have my business. I’m proud to be a mother to a beautiful daughter. Even though I’ve been through a lot, I take good care of her. I feel good. I feel hopeful.” Zera