Young fathers receive guidance to better their lives and those around them

Paul Kariuki, an author and the founder of Africa Boy Child Foundation speaks to the young fathers

Photo: Gregory Barake

Young fathers from the Mukuru slums shoulder the responsibility of providing for their families when they can barely provide for themselves. The pressure thus pushes them into the murky waters of drug abuse, perpetrating Gender Based Violence and engaging in crime. In so doing, the teenage fathers become entangled in a web of physical, emotional and mental instability which affects them, their partners and relatives. 

It is for these reasons that the teenage fathers were engaged in an advocacy and outreach session by the Ruben Centre on 15 October 2020 inside Mukuru. The session involved the teenage fathers, Ruben Centre, young mothers, Wangu Kanja Foundation and Ruben FM community radio. Paul Kariuki, an author and the founder of Africa Boy Child Foundation, was also present to respond to most of the teenage fathers’ burning questions.

Forming constructive friendships, developing a self-identity and living a healthy nutritious life were discussed at great length as they all contribute to a purposeful life. However, living in a slum environment as the Mukuru settlement hinders the realization of these attributes in the lives of many teenage fathers. This is due to the lack of access to basic needs and services such as water, food and education.

Unemployment further contributes to the teenage fathers’ inability to develop income-earning skills and access opportunities that will enable them to meet their needs and those of their families. Moreover, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has amplified the hardships which the teenage fathers undergo as it robbed them of more than money and food; it robbed them of hope that one day things will go back to being normal.

Even so, the Ruben Centre continues to extend its support by providing the teenage fathers with the audience needed to enable them improve their lives. This includes offering mentorship programs, vocational training to develop income earning skills and volunteering opportunities at the Centre. As the Ruben Centre remains open to the Mukuru Community, there is great hope that the teenage fathers will be propelled to embracing their ambitions and eventually realizing their dreams and goals in life. This would be a step closer to achieving a just and empowered Mukuru Community.

By Stephen Tengo

Edits: GB