On January 7, as part of our commitment to empower children in conflict with the law and support their reintegration into society, we held our first session of the year with children at Kisumu Children’s Remand Home.
This session aimed to provide a platform for the children to express their hopes and expectations for 2025, offering them an opportunity to voice their aspirations for personal growth, relationships, and environmental improvements. The session also focused on identifying the key challenges they may face and establishing a collaborative roadmap for their development, with a specific emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration.
Session Objectives
- Understand the children’s expectations for 2025 in terms of personal growth, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
- Identify key challenges and aspirations they have for the year.
- Create a collaborative roadmap to address these expectations and provide clarity on available support.
Warming Up: Building Energy and Connection
We began the session with warm-up games where the children sang and exercised, setting an energetic and positive tone for the day. These activities encouraged openness and built rapport, creating a foundation for meaningful conversations.
Introduction to Okiri
The children were then introduced to the Okiri program. We emphasized that their journey toward growth and reintegration is central to our mission. Much like a compass, the program seeks to help them find their direction, supporting them as they navigate personal and social challenges.
Visualizing Aspirations and Challenges
To visualize their aspirations, the children participated in a creative exercise where they wrote their expectations on sticky notes. These notes were then categorized under three themes:
- Personal Growth: Goals around education, skill-building, and behavioral improvements.
- Relationships: Rebuilding family connections and fostering supportive peer to peer relationships.
- Environment: Enhancing their daily lives at the remand home and preparing for reintegration.
Reflecting on Insights: Growth and Empowerment
The session unearthed profound insights into the children’s needs and desires:
- A strong drive for personal development and education.
- A yearning for deeper connections and meaningful relationships.
- A desire to create a more nurturing and supportive environment, both within the remand home and beyond.
We ended the session on a reflective note, with the children being guided through a calming exercise. With closed eyes and meditative silence, they were invited to process their thoughts, focus on their inner strength, and envision a future filled with promise.
This session was a testament to the resilience and potential of every child no matter the circumstances.
Growth is a shared journey, and with every step, we are reminded of the profound impact of investing in individuals. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future; one filled with purpose and hope