A DAGORETTI STORY: SAY NO TO ALCOHOL ADDICTION AND YES TO WELLNESS.
Introduction
In today’s world, young people face myriad challenges, including economic insecurity, social isolation, and a lack of adequate opportunities to learn and grow. That is why creating a wellness center is a significant step towards creating a brighter future for our youth. Such a center provides a safe and supportive space for young people to come together, learn new skills, develop ideas, and grow as individuals.
The Waithaka Youth Wellness Center is officially open to the public. Youth can now visit, register as members, and take advantage of the opportunity to avoid social vices beleaguering our youth. The initiative by Wangui Kiarie (Dagoretti South Constituency NALSA(K) Representative) exists to tame a vice that for generations is an achilles heel for Dagoretti residents.
Background of the problem
Jane Wangui Muigai’s work titled “ MALE YOUTH PREDISPOSITION TO DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN DAGORETTI DISTRICT, NAIROBI COUNTY” concludes that drug and substance abuse is highly prevalent in Dagoretti and affects both in-school and out-of-school youths in the area.
The average age of drug abuse peaks at 20 years among male youths, while the youngest age for picking up the habit is 15 years. Alcohol, tobacco, and khat are abused most in the area due to their availability and the legal status the drugs enjoy in the country.
In observed cases, most parents or guardians lack sufficient skills to intervene. That is why the average age of drug and substance abuse is 20 years, with a statistical increase from 49.4% to 54% in the number of youths picking up the habit.
Dagoretti Youth Wellness Center
The Youth Wellness Center has been months in the making, and we are proud to say it is now officially open for business! The center in Nairobi at the Waithaka D.O. office along Kikuyu Road, plans to host various programs, workshops, indoor games, and events available for young people of Waithaka, an area rampant with cases of alcohol addiction.
Whether you are a young person looking to develop a new skill set, make new friends, or perhaps have a safe place to hang out, the Youth Wellness Center is perfect for you. We are eager to see what ideas the youth of Waithaka come up with. The next big idea could come straight out of Waithaka.
Services offered
- Reference points for alcohol addiction help
- Safe space for teen mothers to seek help
- Indoor sports & board games
- Talent development center
- Safe space for youths to stay away from idling and drugs.
NALSA(K) intervention
The NALSA project is the fifth to be launched this year after Turkana Central, Mwala, Nakuru Town West, and Baringo South projects. Present during the launch were NALSA-K members from the Nairobi Chapter, Carol wokabi (Embakasi central), Laura Akunga -Mwenje (Embakasi East), Damaris Mwago( Starehe) and
Emma Orero (Kibra)
”This center will provide a safe and supportive environment for those in need. It will provide a safe space for youth activities in a creative environment. It will also provide support to help young people break their addiction and rebuild their lives,” said Wangui Kiarie, the chief guest at the event. In addition to the services, the center will provide mentorship opportunities for those in need. Mentors will be available to provide guidance, advice, and support for any of the young people in our community who might need it,” she added.
To emphasize the message from the chief guest on why the project is significant, Laura Akunga mentioned, ”The country cannot absorb all youths into after-school programs. That is why this is a noble initiative.”
Proudly Kenyan
The Waithaka dream became a reality because of Proudly Kenyan, our longtime project collaborator. It is an organization that partners with local and international organizations to advance its mission and impact through community and social outreach. Through Proudly Kenyan sponsorship, members have launched projects worth millions of shillings. Proudly Kenyan is a friend to our organization who has been there indeed helping accelerate the journey towards achieving our third objective: to enhance the socio-economic growth of women, youth, and children through grass-roots and national efforts.
Conclusion
Drugs and substances have horrible effects on youths and their families. The abuse continues unabated in the area. Therefore, launching a youth wellness center is a beacon of hope for area residents.
The hope is visible in the local youths who made the launch colorful, filling it with song, dance, acrobatic acts, and drama in the presence of guests ranging from the local administration, area police chiefs and several representatives from nongovernmental organizations seeking to partner with the center to offer programs. A vivid demonstration of the support for the program as we await to see its future impact on the youths in the area.
The idea of safe spaces in Dagoretti is to eventually utilize the remaining tract of land by turning it into Waithaka Public Park.
For now, Waithaka youths have a space for guidance, advice, and support. The Waithaka youths were at risk of shambolic lives and probably in danger of alcohol addiction due to a lack of opportunities.
Post by Anyanzwa Brian.
Photography & Video by Julia Laval.