ROSS KEMP MEETS THE GLUE KIDS OF KENYA

In this 30-minute special, Ross Kemp and his BAFTA winning documentary team return to Eldoret to ask how Sky1 viewers and Save the Children can make a difference to the street children of Kenya.

Whilst filming Ross Kemp: A Kenya Special Ross visited the town of Eldoret, the scene of some of the most vicious fighting in the post election violence that rocked Kenya in early 2008. It was here Ross witnessed scenes of unimaginable poverty and brutal violence and where he received his biggest shock when making the film. Ross discovered a community of children orphaned by the violence who are forced to scratch a living on a rubbish dump. These are the forgotten victims, forced to live a life of constant danger and hunger, dulled only by solvent abuse.

Ross Kemp comments, “Those rubbish dumps will stay in my mind for the rest of my life. When a woman drops her child on its head, picks it up and puts a glue bottle in its mouth, those are the things that stay with you, to see that loss, that desperation. Viewers will definitely be disturbed seeing little kids sniffing glue which has been given to them by their mothers.” “Little Alex who I spoke to was 10, but looked about five because he was constantly sucking on a glue bottle the whole time I was talking to him.” “Sky1 is asking viewers of both films to donate to Save the Children projects that protect street children like Alex.”

Returning to Eldoret, the team discover more about the plight of these children and find out how the outside world can help. These children struggle to find enough food to eat, clean water to drink or a decent roof over their heads. Many are now separated from their families and have no way of making a living. A significant number also face the threat of daily beatings by the police, sexual exploitation and struggle for survival in a squalid and hostile environment.

Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive of Save the Children said: “The number of children living on the streets of Kenya has doubled since violence broke out in December last year. These children are extremely vulnerable. Unable to go to school and separated from their parents - they are at risk of being exploited and abused. That is why it is so important for Save the Children to have this appeal with Sky1. The money donated by Sky1 viewers will help us to give these street children something decent to eat, get them back into education and get them back together with their families. It will give them back hope for their future.”

The team meet Ex-Street, a group of former street children who are working with Save the Children to lift innocent children out of poverty, help ease their trauma and give them back a semblance of normal life by establishing programmes designed to address their immediate and long-term needs: food, shelter, clothes and schooling. A tiny amount of money can make a real difference, and this appeal shows how viewers can play their part in giving a future to the silent victims of Kenya’s bloody conflict.

You can help by donating to Save the Children and Sky1’s Kenya Street Children appeal. Your generous donation could help re-unite a street child with their parents, giving them a secure and hopeful future.

To donate to Save the Children projects protecting street children in Kenya please call 0800 8148148 or visit www.savethechildren.org.uk/sky

Ross Kemp Meets The Glue Kids of Kenya. Monday 29 September, 10pm, Sky1 and Sky1 HD.

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5 Responses to “ROSS KEMP MEETS THE GLUE KIDS OF KENYA”

  1. [...] ROSS KEMP MEETS THE GLUE KIDS OF KENYAViewers will definitely be disturbed seeing little kids sniffing glue which has been given to them by their mothers. Little Alex who I spoke to was 10, but looked about five because he was constantly sucking on a glue bottle the whole … [...]

  2. [...] Ross Kemp Meets The Glue Kids of Kenya, Sky Two, 10pm ~ Four months after visiting Kenya on the trail of the Mungiki gang, Ross returns to the town of Eldoret, where an entire generation of children were left orphaned by political violence and spend their lives scavenging from rubbish dumps and engaging in solvent abuse. Hard hitting film which doesn’t pull its punches. [...]

  3. nicola and claire orr says:

    my sister and i watched your programme on the glue kids and were deeply touched and moved by the footage and think that there is a lot still to be done we are going to donate to the fund set up by you and would love to in the future maybe to help out more well done to all the good work you have been doing and to the team love nicola and claire orr xxx

  4. Sue Witherwick says:

    Having recently returned from holiday in Kenya, which turned out to be the best I have ever had, I was intersted to see both reports, but in particular this one relating to the children. I consider myself very fortunate to be as I am but I feel that we all put to much onus on possessions rather than life itself. Your programme confirmed this. I hope you can go back again and keep us aware of what is happening and any ways that help can be provided.I for one will getting rid of unnecessary items and donatingfunds for things sold to the fund.
    Keep up the good work!

  5. gayle khosa says:

    I was shocked to see that poor baby given glue to console her and the mother who thought she was doing her best, it comes down to lack of education and help so I myself would also love to donate and spread the word to friends and family to help also as every little Counts.I hope and pray that the children recieve the help so their standard of life improves as our eyes are open now please dont close them again and fight this fight.God bless.

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