Mahabusu Ya Watoto (Teenage Juvenile Detention Hall)

Alumni references: Mona Quinn - monaquinn@verizon.net
Ramon Diaz - ramondiaz9480@gmail.com
Allison Basile - arbasile11@hotmail.com

Overview

Mahabusu ya watoto is a subsidy of the National Ministry of Health and Community Development. Founded in 1970 by the social welfare department the facility seeks to re-integrate juvenile offenders accused of, or awaiting trial for violent and non-violent crimes. The detention hall accepts kids from the Moshi court system between the ages of 12 – 16. At maximum capacity the facility will have 45 enrolled juveniles and a minimum of 16. Mahabusu ya watoto currently has seven staff members, including Steven Gumbo, Head Warden /Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor Josophine Anton, one cook, security guard, health care professional, and cleaner. Day-to-day responsibilities such as cleaning, cooking, washing and other activities are the responsibility of the juveniles. The facility relies in part on a parcel of land used for farming and rain collection (up to 40,000 ltrs.) as a means to provide food and provide useful experience. The teens are responsible for the work necessary to bring the crops from seed to stove The facility provides food and shelter only. Other essentials (i.e. clothing, shoes) are seldom donated by outside sources and are the responsibility of the teens. Formal and informal education is provided by staff or volunteers however much of the staff and many of the volunteers have little training. Areas that are emphasized aside from basic survival skills are farming, carpentry, tailoring, and other vocational skills in which volunteer teachers may have had experience. Currently one staff member is teaching radio repair. Mahabusu ya watoto conducts interviews of the juveniles and home visits are made to assess living conditions and environmental factors contributing to the delinquency. A membership of active individuals participating in the well being of the detention hall meets once a month to discuss the progress and direction of the facility. The Mahabusu ya watoto program also assesses the direction of the courts decision pertaining to the child. In addition to the juvenile mandate full probationary service is provided for older offenders. Among the responsibilities Mahabusu ya watoto makes further recommendations to the courts and plays a pivotal role in punishment of teens.

Problems facing the facility

Currently there are many problems facing the facility. There is a high turn-around rate except for the most violent offenders. Many kids opt to leave, continue to be disruptive or run away when given the opportunity. Staffing is very short and operating current at 50% of the needed support. There is an inadequate infrastructure and equipment to fully and safely conduct the necessary functions of the program. For example there are no means of transportation for staff to or from home/environment calls. The facility has no permanent volunteers and most long term volunteers have other obligations that only allow them to volunteer on Sundays (i.e. church groups that make up a majority of the volunteers)

Volunteers Activities
- Helping with interview process and registering new juveniles
- Aiding with support for home visits
- Education programs and instruction for the teens
- General support measures for the facility
- Engaging juveniles in constructive activities
- Developing and exacting adequate facilities for departing juveniles

Additional opportunities for volunteers

In addition to instructing and aiding the teens at the center the volunteers/staff need training in child care education, sanitation practices, English, grammar and a wide range of other practical skill one might receive elsewhere.

Working hours

The facility operates on a three shift schedule as follows;

7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.– 6:30 p.m.
6 pm – 7 a.m.