Chinese group helps slum children discover their talents

Ayuma applauds the charity organization for such an initiative, saying it has provided healthy activity for the young slum dwellers who have been exposed to all manner of negative influences, ranging from drug abuse, crime, sexual abuse and early pregnancies.

"It's unfortunate that three-quarters of the girls living in the slums get pregnant at a very young age, thus dropping out of school. My desire is to use dance in the future to engage the young girls to shape their future lives," she said.

Lauryn Njeri, one of the local art trainers at the charity organization, knows well how the program has shielded young girls and boys from engaging in inappropriate behaviors, especially during school holidays.

Njeri, a 19-year-old woman who completed her high school education last year, has been training young girls and boys aged between eight and 14 years modern dance and photography for four months now.

"My dream is to take dancing to the next level. I want to use the children to tell stories about the social evils that take place in the slums and teach the youngsters why they should avoid the vices," she said.