Do we announce this small part of our plan, our vision, with joy at being able to bring hope to a few Mamas and their babies who live on the extremely dangerous streets in Nakuru? Joy that we will work with them to build a future where their babies will be safe, day and night. Where the Mama’s will work in a good job, knowing their babies are protected; that their children will have food in their bellies; go to school; have shoes; experience kindness where fear filled their very beings?

Or do we go to the sadness and despair that we need really to be helping 100’s of other street families. The women who, with empty breasts and lifeless eyes, desperately hoping to keep their baby alive, while all the time the risky choices they have to make potentially growing another mouth to feed.

There is so much need on the streets and we are starting our small journey with four Mamas. Two of these strong courageous women, whose hope hasn’t quite died yet, have two babies: a toddler and a small baby each. The fear in the toddlers faces as our staff approach is killing, even the food we gave them just multiples their confusion; barely breathing in the knowledge we will soon hurt their Mamas, if their short painful existence is anything to call on. Tiny in life but old in pain.

One of our girls is a Mama-in-waiting. young, vibrant, strong, and yet pregnant and alone. Moving from ‘friend’ to ‘friend’ to find a place to lay her head, hoping for safety but knowing the price she pays for a bed is far from innocent.

This is the first day of us in their lives. It will be a slow journey of acceptance and love. We all chose kindness to connect and build a relationship that may just break the generational trauma they have all experienced. We will work with them to reach a place they can look after their own families, to be the proud strong women they yearn to be. Our programme is so much more than feeding. It is a long process of emotional repair and identity, alongside the physical things these women need. Walk with us until they can stand alone.

Over time we will gently tell you a little more about these women and why they are where they are today. We know their lives have been tough and frightening, just as we know the Play Kenya Community will get behind them to change everything for these small, frightened, yet strong families.