Rembo*, a 13-year-old girl, resides in a village in Teso North, Busia, Kenya. She is the sixth born in her family. Currently, Rembo lives in a neighbour's house located next to her mother's house. Her entire family was completely shattered after her parents' separation as a result of domestic violence.
Rembo's mother lives in a small rented single room within a cluster of eight similar rooms. While only two children live with her, she has sought help from neighbours to accommodate her other children. Sadly, four of her children reside in a children's home in Busia.
Their living conditions are poor, with no bed for the mother, who uses her clothes as bedding. Cooking and washing utensils are done outdoors, and the toilet and bathroom are located outside. The landlord pays electricity on their behalf. There is a big playground for the children nearby. Access to clean water has become problematic since the school pump broke down. Now, they must fetch water from a nearby river. Rembo currently lives in a neighbour's house with two rooms, one sitting room and one bedroom.
Rembo lived with her parents in another village before relocating to their current residence. Her father, employed in a hardware shop, battled addiction. From as early as Grade 2 (primary school level), Rembo witnessed her father's abusive behaviour towards her mother, resulting in severe injuries. The family often endured hunger, added to episodes of violence. Their living conditions got worse, with Rembo and her siblings suffering from jiggers, making life unbearable.
Rembo vividly remembers her father's attempts to harm her mother, who was forced to flee, leaving Rembo and her siblings vulnerable. The younger children were placed in a children's home by the eldest brother, while Rembo lived with her teacher for three years. However, when her teacher relocated, Rembo moved in with her aunt, enduring abuse and hard labour. Eventually, Rembo's mother returned, and they moved to a small rental house. Due to space constraints, Rembo ended up living with a neighbour.
Since Grade 3, when she was 12 years old, Rembo has been taking up various casual labour tasks to support herself and her family. These tasks range from farming to fetching water and washing utensils for neighbours, earning her between 0.35 to 2.8 euros, though sometimes she isn't paid. Despite her mother's efforts to secure her payment, promises made by neighbours often remain unfulfilled.
Currently, Rembo resides and works at a neighbour's house, performing household chores like cleaning and washing utensils before attending school. However, she endures mistreatment from her neighbour, who occasionally beats and scolds her if she does not do the work assigned to her. Her mother remains unaware of this mistreatment, as Rembo believes that she will advise her to stay strong and continue to work.
While she has access to three meals per day, Rembo's constant worrying leaves her with little appetite. Additionally, the physical toll of the workload coupled with emotional distress, affects her school performance and concentration.
Rembo's academic progress is still affected by frequent absenteeismces due to her inability to pay school fees or procure necessary school materials. Teachers have expressed concern for her well-being amidst these challenges.
“I feel bad and sick. My head hurts a lot. My concentration in class is poor. I think I will do well but I don´t do well at all.¨ Rembo explained.
Rembo's situation came to light when she shared her story with the ICS SP mentor during a discussion in July of 2023 prompted by the Child Rights Club patron at her school. The mentor is involved in the Action Against Child Labour project, a project implemented by Terre des Hommes Netherlands and Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS-SP). He is also a child protection volunteer. He promptly filed a case to the Directorate of Children´s Services to help address Rembo's needs. A case conference was convened to deliberate on her situation and develop support plans.
In February 2024, Rembo received essential scholastic materials, including 12 exercise books, pens, erasers, and a sharpener, which enabled her to continue with her learning. “I can now write on the exercise books and I don't have to borrow my friends anymore or be chased away from school because I don't have books.” She narrated.
Joining the child rights club in May 2023 with 45 other children has empowered her with valuable life skills such as the importance of education, respect for elders, and knowledge of her rights (right to go to school and not work). Engaging sessions, including singing and dancing, have made learning enjoyable for Rembo. “I feel relaxed when I am in the child rights club. I want to be continue beingto be part of the club when it's back.¨ She explained.
Rembo has learned to take care of herself, respect elders, and communicate confidently. She now understands the importance of speaking up to the police if any abuse occurs and has gained more respect for her mother.
During school days, Rembo's routine begins at 5:00 am when she wakes up and attends to household chores like washing utensils and sweeping. By 7:00 am, she heads to the nearby school, sometimes arriving late due to her earlier work responsibilities. Throughout the school day, she studies various subjects, with limited time to play with her friends. Returning home at 5:00 pm, she resumes her chores, including washing utensils, fetching water, and cooking. Despite the long day, she dedicates an hour from 7:00 to 8:00 pm to reading before going to sleep.
During holidays or weekends, Rembo's day starts at 6:00 am, where she follows a similar routine of tending to household chores before heading to the farm from 7:00 to 9:00 am to gather greens for cooking. Her afternoon hours are dedicated to cooking and washing utensils, while her evening is spent on additional chores like fetching water, bathing, and preparing supper. Despite the demands of the day, she sets aside an hour for reading before going to sleep. She enjoys relaxing, reading, playing football and running during her free time.
Rembo continues to face significant challenges, including missing school due to a lack of fees and experiencing persistent emotional distress. She has to work for her neighbour before she goes to school and before she sleeps. She still faces mistreatment in that house. She struggles to engage in typical childhood activities, such as eating and playing with friends, as her mind is preoccupied with worries.
The looming threat of her father's potential return adds to Rembo's burden. Her mother, working on her husband's farm further complicates their situation, with concerns for their safety in the event of his return. Her strained relationship with her mother has left them emotionally distant and disconnected.
Still, Rembo continues to hope for a brighter future and remains focused on her goals: “I want my family to live a good life and to have all my siblings together with me. I want to be a role model and teach other girls what I learned in the child rights club.¨
“I tell my friends studying is good. I would like to get a uniform, shoes and a school bag and for all my school fees to be paid.¨Rembo added.
Speaking about her future, she said, “In future, I want to be a pilot. I want to travel the world and get good money.¨
*Rembo has received three monitoring visits from the mentor to ensure her well-being and progress. Moving forward, she will continue to be closely monitored by the AACL project to ensure she receives the support she needs.
*Name changed to protect the identity of the project participant.