Kenyan youths call for new ways of fighting poverty

The youth in Kenya are now calling for new ways of fighting poverty saying the old ways are outdated and clearly not working.

Sharing their views during Amazing Potential Ltd’s community conversation visit to Mukuru Kwa Njenga on Friday last week, they have expressed frustrations arising out of the continuous failure by organizations and government to elevate people’s lives.

One of the youth, MJ, who is a Community Champion, shared relatable insights with regards to previous efforts by organizations to elevate people out of poverty.

“Personally I have seen the lives of some of the people I have mentored transform and I remember we did not give them money, instead we addressed what they needed first” Said MJ

MJ continued to reiterate that by giving people money, their needs jump out first and whatever the money was supposed to do, does not happen.

According to her, this explains why many individuals remain the same or even worse after interventions involving giving cash.

In her view and that of her peers, this conversation is timely especially since we are moving into an election period where promises and handouts are expected.

The disheartening part according to her is the challenges that continue to smash the people in her community will not end soon as a result of the failure to address the core needs of the young people.

Some of the challenges they mentioned are the high rate of (daylight) crime, drugs and substance abuse, abortions, the youth denied fair opportunities in projects like Kazi Mtaani, serious water shortage and the rising cases of suicide.

Additionally, the privatization of local community spaces continues to deny the youth an opportunity to gather and share ideas and even create opportunities with their talents.

From this visit, it was clear that the youth need to be understood before given solutions because clearly they know what they need.

“For us who want to start businesses, do not give us money, buy the materials I need for me to get going” Said MJ.

With this approach, they said it would accommodate many young people who feel lost when it comes to matters of empowerment

Amazing Potential Ltd continues with its efforts to understand the people in our communities and their needs and what elevating human capacity looks like for them.