About Us

The Problem

The UN Convention of the Child, along with other advocacies for the rights of children, have had little visible effects on the rising number of street children. They remain amongst the most highly marginalized and vulnerable human beings in our societies. The distressing situation is that there are up to 500 000 Kenyan street children --the manifestation of deep societal problems. Unfortunately, the public continues to blame the victim, and for the most part, shun the "chokora." 

Street children are found on the streets of every city and town in Kenya . Largely driven out of their homes by poverty, destitution, breakdown of the family and other social welfare structures, the children have no access to shelter, education, health care or protection. Even the youngest, of both sexes, are often sexually abused and exploited, traumatized and suffer from mental challenges. Substance abuse is almost universal with the most common being glue, which, when used over a sustained period, results in permanent brain damage. The street children who are rounded up by police and taken to social halls often resort to petty theft, begging and various other means to find their daily bread.

Innovative Solution

Founded and registered in 1994, Shangilia has proven the performing arts to be a unique means to change the attitudes and practices of 220 street children.

Twenty-three children gave their first public performance before a capacity audience in Nairobi 's National Theatre on the eve of 12 July 1994 . The occasion was the visit to Kenya of four members of the United Nation's Committee of Ten (established to monitor the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child). The children's exuberant performance culminated in the building of a human pyramid from the top of which Kamau, wearing filthy tattered clothing, proclaimed the Rights of the Child. Shangilia was then born with a standing ovation and the children went on to perform in schools and churches all over Kenya under the tutelage of the late actress Anne Wanjugu. They have since taken their show to Germany, Thailand, China, Zanzibar, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mayote, and coming up this July, Greece. The show is designed to expose and sensitize society to the rising predicament of those young lives lost on the street, sniffing glue, picking pockets and exposed to prostitution. Besides raising funds for the children's plight, performances have proved that the performing arts are effective to both rehabilitate the child in gaining self-confidence and worth, as well as demonstrate the potential of all children. Indeed, given a chance, street children have hopes, dreams, talents and the ability to love and be loved …. just like other children.

As the Shangilia children's creative talents developed, it became necessary to further address the needs of those whom were orphaned or had lived with abuse, insecurity, and poverty on the streets the entirety of their young lives. In 1995, with the help of gracious benefactors, a compound was rented in the sprawling slum of Kangemi, on the outskirts of Nairobi on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, and Anne and the children moved in. Shangilia presently houses over 200 former street children in this cramped quarter acre plot, consisting of a courtyard and large colourful stage, sided by twenty-eight rooms. There are eastern style toilets and showers, and a small shed covers two large fuel-efficient wood-burning stoves by which meals are communally prepared. The rooms surrounding the courtyard are used for classrooms, dormitories and a small office. Under the leadership of Japheth Njenga, the staff provides the children with food, shelter, clothing, education and basic health care. Remarkably, the children have unique exposure to the performing arts, including drama, acrobats, choir, tae-kwan-do, and mime. Thirty-seven children study secondary classes in various schools, fifteen of which attend St. Mary's Education Centre in Nairobi .

Shangilia has been very successful in attracting both local and international media (BBC, CNN, German television, Reuters) which has covered performances including song, dance, acrobatics, drama (espousing messages such as HIV/Aids awareness, sanitation, hygiene) and tae-kwon-do. The central message remains that street children who have been empowered can excel and contribute meaningfully to society.

Most recently, the German NGO Cap Anamur purchased six acres of land for Shangilia in Loresho, near to Kangemi, where—as funds arrive—superior facilities will be built for the children.