Psycho-social support in informal urban settlement Silanga - Kibera

1. Psycho-social support in informal urban settlementSilanga - Kibera • Presented by • Felix Oduor, Kilimanjaro Initiative Manager, • at the East Africa Psycho-Social Network Workshop • in Nairobi on 2 December 2014.

2. Kilimanjaro Initiative? • Founded by Tim Challen after he was shot during an armed robbery in Nairobi in 2003. • KI organizes leadership camps and Mount Kilimanjaro climbs for youth from disadvantaged communities. • Supports youth-based community activities. • KI Office is managed by youth from disadvantaged communities. • A platform for youth to play a part in the decision-making processes that affect their communities.

3. KI psycho-social support • January 2014 - created “my life” page on KI website, to encourage: • Self expression • Sharing of ideas • self-encouragement • Received stories from traumatized disenfranchised youth. • June 2014 – launch of KI PSS program in Silanga, Kibera.

4. Map of Kibera, Nairobi

5. Participants • 20 youth (18 – 25 yrs) selected from: • Kibera Running club • Umoja Youth Reform • Trinity Boxing Club • Psycho-social issues identified: • substance abuse • relationship issues • abortions • celebrity syndrome • crime

6. Half-way home concept • Social issues • Drug Addition • Rape • Unplanned pregnancy • Crime • Child abuse • Well-being • Regain self esteem • Hope • Self realization • Proper coping mechanism Psychosocial support and counseling Program design 48 sessions held over 6 months led by two trained councilors.

7. Personal stories (identities protected) • Benson raped at young age, this lead him to lose self- esteem, have a relationship with his cousin and later engage in substance abuse. • Philip fell into crime, caught and almost killed by mob justice. Although he now feels reformed, community don’t welcome him. • Juliet hates men - they raped her. Now she can have sex only for money tough she says she is not a prostitute. • Rachel who was in a national sports team, was influenced by coaches to abort so as to participate in all African games since she was a good player. • Mary married a drunkard at very young age, has children from different fathers , mother-in-law hates her, jobless, attempted committing suicide.

8. Findings • A high addiction to: alcohol, bhang, Cocaine, Heroine, Miraa Shisha, thinner, tab tab, gum and Jet fuel. • A HUGEinformation gap. • No established support / mentor groups in the area. • High cases of relapse both in drugs and crime due to stigma and lack of support groups. • The high dependence on drugs, crime and unprotected sex as way to cope with different social issues/situations. • Negative peer influence – having to fit into ‘status quo’ • Why project one’s self into the future if one is not even sure about tomorrow ?

9. Challenges • Getting youth to participate and open up – worried they would be stigmatized. • A number of potential participants expected to be payed to attend sessions, this made most of them drop out as they opted to go for casual jobs instead. • Finding the right time to conduct sessions, in terms of security and available space. • Job creation, provision of income.

10. Successes • KI is managed by Kibera youth – easier to build trust. • Marked reduction of substance abuse among group members. 8 members no longer take drugs, 4 have reduced consumption. • The group was cooperative and they showed positive change in behavior. • Group decided to start-up a savings cooperative but need support. • Were able to release frustrations to others and gain self-belief and understanding they are not alone.

11. Recommendations & Future plans • Creation of KI PSS network/group and follow-up of participants. • Establishment of resource centre, enhancement and upgrading of public recreational facility in informal settlements. • Establishment of a support network within the urban settlements. (expertise pool). • KI offers PSS entry point due to its close proximity and approach to youth.

12. Thank you www.kiworld.org