Feature: Kenyan slum children dream of success despite abject poverty

The mid morning grey weather that enveloped Nairobi's Kibera slums on Thursday enticed Kevin Ombati and his four comrades to converge by the roadside and engage in a hearty conversation.

Clad in crisp and brightly colored school uniform, the 15-year-old class eight pupil at Raila Educational Centre located at the heart of Kibera slums dominated a conversation revolving around youngsters' passions.

Ombati, his younger brother, Nicholas Angwenyi and two friends had just been sent home by their school principal to collect tuition fees for the first semester of this year.

During a conversation with Xinhua, the youngsters were in high spirits as they articulated their vision of a brighter future despite financial hiccups experienced at home.

"My hope is to pass exams with flying colors and get admitted in a reputable high school. The financial situation in our family is dire but I trust my father will be able to clear outstanding school fees to enable me continue with studies," Ombati said.

He lives with both parents and four siblings in a small house located on the edge of the sprawling Kibera slum.

Ombati's father is a chef in a midsized hotel located in Nairobi's central business district while his mother owns a small shop in Kibera slums.

He revealed that his parents' modest income has not been able to meet a ballooning household expenditure on food, clothes, rent, transport and tuition fees.

"My father's monthly income is 100 U.S. dollars and it has been a struggle for him to pay our school fees on time since there are other competing demands like food and house rent," Ombati told Xinhua.

The Raila Educational Centre where he is enrolled together with his younger brother is a public school that enrolls bright children from financially challenged households in Kibera slums.

Leading Chinese entrepreneurs in September 2015 visited the school and pledged new support to enable under-privileged children realize their dreams.

Named after Kenya's former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, the learning facility has been an oasis of hope for slum children yearning for academic success.

Ombati and his comrades have been able to hone their skills in class thanks to a sojourn in Raila Educational Centre.

Currently an accomplished artist, Ombati has composed two songs to raise awareness on childhood disability.

His disabled younger brother inspired him to compose the songs which condemns society's negative attitude towards children with mental or physical disability.

"My songs reinforce the enduring truth that disability is not a curse or a sickness contrary to entrenched beliefs. The aim of my songs is to tell people that disabled children have a chance in life," said Ombati.

The bubbly football enthusiast revealed his love for Chinese movies since childhood.

"Chinese movies are entertaining and have talented actors like Jackie Chan," Ombati told Xinhua adding that China's engineering prowess has benefitted Kenya.

His younger brother Nicholas Angwenyi who is in class five was overcome with emotion as he narrated his desire to succeed in life despite the current setbacks.

"We should be in class by now were it not for school fees arrears but I hope my father will settle the issue soon. I have a desire to succeed in class and study for a well paying career like law or medicine," Angwenyi told Xinhua.

He has vowed to study hard and become a role model to young children in Kibera slums.

"Majority of children here in Kibera lack a mentor to guide them and often drops out of school only to engage in anti social behavior. Our generation can offer them hope," Angwenyi remarked.

His 13-year-old cousin, Brian Ambicha graduated from Raila Educational Centre last year and scored an impressive grade.

Ambicha's attachment with his cousins has remained strong and he has been instrumental in nurturing their love for education.

The aspiring surgeon told Xinhua he aspires to join a national school where is guaranteed of academic excellence.

"I hope to join any national school later this month where the learning atmosphere is conducive and there are plenty of mentors to guide me on the path to success," Ambicha remarked

Having been born and raised in Kibera, Ambicha has witnessed abject poverty and despair that blights youngsters and looks forward to change that gloomy narrative.

"There are children in Kibera who retire to bed without a meal and this sad predicament can only be alleviated through providing jobs to their parents. If I get a good job, I will assist these children get an education," said Ambicha. Enditem