Juvy

On Thursday, we went to the local Juvy to visit. This was one of Jennifer's placements last year. The kids are strikingly young, from about age 8 to 16. There crimes range from stealing food to cutting school, to one boy being accused of murder (it was self defense against an abusive uncle). Because there is not a concrete justice system set up in Tanzania, the boys can stay in Juvy for a long time. When their court dates come up, often a judge or a lawyer or a witness won't show up and back to Juvy they go. Other than when the CCS volunteers are there, they are locked up in one bedroom. They are all really sweet and gentle and are so excited to sing and dance and to the Hokey Pokey over (and over, and over, and over) again. There are no advocates for boys like these. I heard many stories from the volunteers who worked their last year and it was great to go see for myself.

Sadly, there were also two girls there as well. They were both 16 and had run away from the local Masai village. If they were to stay at home, they would be forced into marriage, and female genital mutilation. They decided to run away to get an education. Once they reached Moshi town, the police picked them up and brought them to Juvy. They are free to go whenever they want, but do not wish to return home. They had such sadness in their eyes, and it was remarkable that they chose to stay in Juvy than return home.

We had a great time laughing and playing with the kids though. They taught us a traditional song and dance sung in english, called "we all come from different homes" which was awesome. We stood in lines and danced around to a song about how we are all different but live and sing under the same sky.