Elias Obando
Each and every day, 22 year old ‘Elias Obando,’ walks along the streets of Nairobi, he recalls back all the hurdles of life he has gone through and believes determination pays.
He was brought up together with his half siblings by his hardworking mother who would strive to provide for their daily needs.
The passing on of his mother in 1996 changed his life forever. He moved in at his aunt’s place. At first, it was a bed of roses, but it did not take long before his uncle started complaining that he was a burden to them.
‘’My uncle never stopped complaining that my half sister and I were straining their financial resources yet they too had a family. It made me start taking to the streets during the day, beg for money, then in the evening, I would take few coins home for buying supper and save the rest for buying my necessities,’’ lamented Obando.
With time, what started as a part time activity became so habitual that he took to the streets for good, never to return back home. When Undugu Social workers approached him together with his friends, he was quite reluctant to give up street life.
He added, after loitering in the streets and knowing each and every corner of Nairobi, I decided to make a turn in my life. I went to Undugu offices in Dandora and narrated to the staff I found there all the tribulations I was going through.
They took him into one of the homes and was taken back to school. The boy was a star all through, to an extent of skipping from class 6 to class 8. He sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and scored 377 marks out of 500.
Undugu Organization did not want the stardom of the young boy to fade away. They continued paying for his secondary education. The more they showed commitment towards the boy education, the more he strived to work harder and make his life time dream come real.
He sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and excelled and got admitted at Kenyatta University, where he is studying Special Education.
‘’Ever day, I come across street children, I always thank the Undugu Society for helping shape my life and I believe I will be self reliant in future, to also help those in the streets to realize their future dreams,’’ narrated Obando.
Undugu has always been, and will always be the voice of the street children and vulnerable youths in the society.
Each and every day, 22 year old ‘Elias Obando,’ walks along the streets of Nairobi, he recalls back all the hurdles of life he has gone through and believes determination pays.He was brought up together with his half siblings by his hardworking mother who would strive to provide for their daily needs.The passing on of his mother in 1996 changed his life forever. He moved in at his aunt’s place. At first, it was a bed of roses, but it did not take long before his uncle started complaining that he was a burden to them.‘’My uncle never stopped complaining that my half sister and I were straining their financial resources yet they too had a family. It made me start taking to the streets during the day, beg for money, then in the evening, I would take few coins home for buying supper and save the rest for buying my necessities,’’ lamented Obando.With time, what started as a part time activity became so habitual that he took to the streets for good, never to return back home. When Undugu Social workers approached him together with his friends, he was quite reluctant to give up street life.He added, after loitering in the streets and knowing each and every corner of Nairobi, I decided to make a turn in my life. I went to Undugu offices in Dandora and narrated to the staff I found there all the tribulations I was going through.They took him into one of the homes and was taken back to school. The boy was a star all through, to an extent of skipping from class 6 to class 8. He sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and scored 377 marks out of 500.Undugu Organization did not want the stardom of the young boy to fade away. They continued paying for his secondary education. The more they showed commitment towards the boy education, the more he strived to work harder and make his life time dream come real.He sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education and excelled and got admitted at Kenyatta University, where he is studying Special Education.‘’Ever day, I come across street children, I always thank the Undugu Society for helping shape my life and I believe I will be self reliant in future, to also help those in the streets to realize their future dreams,’’ narrated Obando.Undugu has always been, and will always be the voice of the street children and vulnerable youths in the society.
