Early Morning in Kenya: Children Hiding from Sight

Every morning in Kenya brings a new challenge for many of the children living on the streets: the challenge of avoiding detection by authorities. As the sun rises, these children emerge from hidden culverts and storefronts to search for food, safety, and a place to spend the day. During my stay in Kenya, I experienced this reality firsthand and saw how these children, despite their dire circumstances, faced the day with courage and determination. In this blog, I will share what I observed during the early morning hours in Kenya and how these children manage to stay hidden from sight.

The morning breeze

The morning breeze is something I can never take for granted. Every morning, the soft wind caresses my skin like a gentle reminder that the day has begun. Even in Kenya, the mornings are special. The sun rises over the horizon, bringing with it the fresh air of the African savannah. It fills me with hope and joy to know that I’m about to start another day in this fascinating country. The morning breeze is like a warm hug from nature, encouraging me to go forth and explore what the day has to offer.

Laying under the mosquito net

I felt the early morning breeze drift over my skin as I lay underneath the mosquito net in the spare bedroom of my host in Kenya. It was a comfortable spot, but it was a reminder that the night wasn’t over yet. The mosquitoes were still out, and they were relentless. I curled up under the sheets, cocooned from the world outside, knowing that I had to get up and face it soon enough. The air was still and calm, and it was the only thing that kept me from feeling completely overwhelmed. I knew I had to make it through the night, so I closed my eyes and tried to find comfort in the darkness of the room, along with the sounds of creatures in the night.

Rising and wondering about the day

As I rose that morning in Kenya, my head full of anticipation, I wondered what the day would hold. I was there to observe the work of Heart Cares NGO and Ubuntu Village, two organizations that seek to provide aid to children who have been abandoned or are living in poverty. We had planned to go out and find children who were hiding in the culverts and storefronts during the night.

My first thought that morning was of the children who needed our help. Could we find them? I knew it would be difficult to locate them in the early morning darkness, but I also felt hopeful that we could offer them a better future. My thoughts then shifted to the work of Heart Cares NGO and Ubuntu Village, and how they were helping these children receive the education and healthcare they deserved. I was filled with admiration for their determination and commitment to creating a brighter future for these kids.

As I looked around the room at my fellow volunteers, I saw the same determination in their eyes that I felt in my own. We were all ready to go out and make a difference. The day ahead was uncertain, but one thing was sure – we would strive to bring hope and change to the lives of these children.

Finding children in the early morning

As I stepped out into the early morning light, I was greeted by the sound of children’s voices playing in the distance. I made my way down the street to find these children. In Kenya, many children hide in culverts and storefronts at night for protection from harm. In the early morning, they emerge from their hiding places to play and go about their daily lives.

I approached a group of children playing near a culvert and asked if I could join them. They welcomed me with open arms, and soon I played tag and other games with them while the proprietor of Mbogo’s Quality Farm Products prepared breakfast. We laughed and joked around, enjoying each other’s company despite our language barrier. I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection to these children, who had to hide away at night to stay safe.

Through spending time with these children, I gained a deeper understanding of their plight and the challenges they face in living safely and happily in Kenya. Although they were temporarily safe in the early morning, I still worried about their safety throughout the day. I wanted to ensure that these children were protected and allowed to grow and thrive. The trauma these children carry is not merely personal — it is intergenerational, shaped by systems of neglect, and what the body keeps from ancestors tells us such wounds echo across generations unless communities intervene with love and consistent care.

The culverts and storefronts

When dawn breaks, it is not uncommon to find children hiding in the culverts and storefronts of Kenya. The narrow passageways and alleys provide a sense of security to those who have spent the night sleeping on the streets. As I begin my morning walk through the city, I look around to see if I can spot any of these children.

Often, they are too scared to come out into the open, but with a few kind words, I can usually coax them out into the open. It takes time to build up trust and make them feel safe enough to share their stories with me. Many of them have escaped poverty and violence in their homes or have been abandoned by their families. It is heartbreaking to hear these stories, but it is also inspiring to see these resilient children who have fought so hard for their survival.

Once we have found the children, we provide each of them with a basic morning meal, such as fortified and enriched porridge. It is incredible to see how these simple gestures can change lives and create hope for the future.–MM

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