Shining Hope for Community

By: Donnah Mumbua.

When one begins to conceive slavery they often recall the recorded history of the African and Asian slaves who were shipped form their respective homes to industrialize Europe and North America. Maybe even the thought of black South Africans undergoing back-breaking, sometimes ludicrous work in the dusty deadly mines may come into mind. These are all historical events and sadly human beings forget ever so easily. We’ve all moved on. Although the past may be reminisced by some heart broken, enraged and burdened expatriates who still seek remunerations for the malice of the White man, that once so bitter experience of slavery seems to have evaded our minds and hearts.

Unfortunately we associate slavery with archaic history; this perception diminishes the possibility of slavery ever being an existential phenomenon in modern day society. Despite its ubiquity and despite its degrading effects, modern day slavery is, ironically, invisible to the same society that catalyzes every pulse of it. It is invisible to the same society that it so viciously devours. It appears in many forms and shapes; it violates the very essence of human existence.

A most fundamental basis to approach the issue of modern day slavery is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10^th 1948. It is important to note that in the Preamble, signatories of this declaration affirms their faith in the preservation of fundamental human rights “and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.” Further, Article 4 of the Declaration asserts that “no one shall be held in slavery or servitude and Article 26 reinforces this assertion so that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing…”.

An interpretation of these rights implies therefore that a State that fails to provide reasonable living standards for all or some of its people limits the strategic choices of these peoples and coerces them to live in servitude. Living in servitude is indeed a manifestation of slavery; and slavery is a condition where people’s lives are dictated upon by market dynamics that are hardly equitable. These inequitable dynamics cause a certain population to succumb to absolute poverty for such a long while that they loose the dignity inherent by virtue of being a human being. Such can hardly access healthy food, clean water and monetary resources to purchase. Furthermore their children do not have the slightest certainty of a more worthy life.

Such circumstances have caused women and girls who lack choices to engage in commercial sex for less than $1 just to feed their families one more night. An in-depth discussion with high school students of the Mashimoni Schools in Kibera confirmed this truism. Most of these student concurred that ‘commercial sex’ is a daily happening in their neighbourhood; they were also saddened by the fact that the young girls and women who undergo such, barely have any other options. These human beings have to live in a constant dilemma of whether to die hungry or to engage in demoralizing activities. But they are slaves, and slaves are not presented with too many choices. Of course we cannot ignore the odds that some of these women engage in ‘commercial sex’ for social pleasure, but these are only odds.

The children in deprived areas of Nairobi are caught up in the draconian system. One author brilliantly summarized it; Michael Freeman observed that the recognition and the protection of children’s rights is what makes human life more fully human. In Kenya such a philosophy is far from being embraced. The primary school kids in Kibera’s Mashimoni Schools know this fact only too well. In yet another discussion on child labour and abuse these children acknowledged that there are under age children working for a meal. Prior to this discussion they did not understand why it is an abuse for a kid to carry a bag twice his weight full of metals and plastics. Or why it is unjustifiable that a kid has to clean up some nauseating sewer for two tiny coins. To them, this is the best and only way to deal with the persistent household and individual poverty. Afterward they discovered that indeed child labour is rampant in their community. Child abuse in the form of battering and rape is also a cause of alarm amongst the children of Kibera. Those deceased kids living with relatives have no tangible legal protection even after they are enslaved and battered senseless by these relatives. Those who are raped especially by their fathers and close relatives have two issues to contend with; one is to begin to contemplate how on earth another human being whom they thought they knew so well would become so beast-like. And two is how and where and to whom to report this incomprehensible malice to.

Is it that the need in our slums is too enormous too satisfy? Or is the essence of equality and equity just another myth?

By: Donnah Mumbua

To paraphrase the words of Professor Ali Mazrui, Africa is indeed the richest yet the poorest, the first yet the last. In his mind, a patriotic African is constantly baffled by the question: why are “we” here in this never ending economic misery and why are “they” there in that glamorous extravagance? Any responsible nation in the world is striving to embrace capitalism as the mainstream economic paradigm.Unfortunately the benefits of this economic order are far from being actualized in Africa.

Western apologists might think that our economic gloom has got to do with our culture, our “natural” predisposition to war or our somewhat dense intellect. What they are afraid to say aloud is the dependency pattern that the world has been trapped within. What they don’t say to us is how to truly break free.

A twisted dependency is in fact the place of Africa in the international political economy. I refer to it as a twisted dependency because in essence it is the western world that depends on our commodities¹ to sustain and maintain the economic boom that they experience. Now, this is the state of affairs: Although Africa possesses the essential articles of trade (commodities), the Western nations dominate over the institutions of trade, economy and commerce. The World Trade Organization (WTO) a predecessor of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) for example was instituted by Western nations way before the African countries could synchronize their economies. Indeed international trade has never been more unfair than it is today. The other institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have an undeniable western bias leaving African countries at the periphery concerning decisions on international economics. Now, under such a framework the continent finds it difficult to pursue an African economic agenda for her prosperity. We are then hard pressed to compromise our commodities for the benefit of the Western nations, sadly at our own peril. This is the structure of the international political economy today.

It is regrettable that we have been indoctrinated with the falsehood that this continent shall remain on the wrong side of the world economy; and that we are subject to an eternal cycle of dependency. But laudably, African diplomacy especially in the area of international trade has been invigorated as witnessed in recent trade rounds. If this trend is sustained then African countries can be able to say NO to economic apartheid, take charge of their commodities and have significant influence in world economic institutions.

Curtis Keim in his book “Mistaking Africa” aptly captures the stereotype embedded in the minds of outsiders. He observes that for most [westerners] the mention of Africa immediately conjures up images of safaris, ferocious animals and strangely dressed tribesmen and impenetrable jungles. They visualize desperation, destitution and desolation. But this mental picture they conjure in their subconscious is not necessarily a myth. Though there is an exaggerated ignorance by the outsiders concerning Africa, there are some realities that must have informed their mental pictures. Indeed even after decolonization, Africa has succumbed to morbid situations. Poverty, an oil crisis, totalitarianism and kleptocracy, protracted armed conflicts and abominable living conditions have indeed characterized the continent. Yet Africa and Africans are changing day after day; we have witnessed the demise of the personalization of power which was a great caveat in African development. Indeed conflicts are still prevalent in various parts of Africa but never before in living memory have peace efforts been so invigorated by the existent regional mechanisms. It is also with the realization of the importance of economic and political reforms that many a country has manifested substantial growth rates. Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda among others exemplifies this trend.

Outsiders who can rightly be termed Afro-pessimists have prophesied and predicted peril upon the continent. They have developed some sort of alarmist approach with regard to the future of Africa, if at all we have one. Ironically they dwell seas and oceans away from Africa yet they claim to understand our predicaments, but they are not always right. Yes, the African psyche has been indoctrinated to believe that outsiders are the custodians of this land. That this is the way things ought to be and always will be. We have been made to believe in the infallibility of those denizens of the cool, funky, advanced, globalised side of the universe. Oh what global lies!

These lamentations of a deceived people could last an eternity. Nevertheless here are sober views of just another patriotic African, trying just one more time to contribute just one more idea to those that have already been laid down by patriotic predecessors. Because, frankly it is up to us.

The contemporary world is characterized by a multiplicity of dizzying realities. The realist assertion of the state as the sole actor in international intercourse has been challenged by an ever growing number of multinational corporations. The economic realm is saturated with confrontational rhetoric on oil-politics. And the once omnipotent hegemony is now faced with relentless rivals. Yet in the midst of this busy world is the conspicuous absence of Africa’s role in influencing the course of the world business. Our Africa, lying as if defeated on the periphery of the global agenda, like the world is none of our business. The question then begs, does Africa really matter at this point in time when the international environment is increasingly hostile? Or is it that even if we fell off the face of earth, life and world business would go on unhindered? Frankly, it is up to us to answer that question.

It has been concluded by some sceptics that it is euphemistic to term African nations as “developing nations”; that the most appropriate description would be “ungovernable chaotic entities” or “non-viable national economies”. But the consolation is that truth is not absolute, and that Africans can decide in which truth and in which reality their destiny lay. Against this background there is therefore the African dilemma, our eternal challenge: in its vulnerability, must Africa remain conformist to the models installed by the Establishment/Washington Consensus or must Africa peel off from this straitjacket and create a compact ideology that will enhance its position in the International scene? Undeniably it would be foolhardy to adopt radical stunts such as perfect isolation because we are already in an established system of embedded rules regardless of their moral content. Thus the role of Africa in the contemporary reality is not to dismantle the system altogether but rather to penetrate the structure in a rigorous, relentless manner. Yes it is easy to chicken out and embrace the TINA attitude “There Is No Alternative”. But who will create the alternative for Africa in this predatory international jungle. Frankly, it is up to us.

I continue to echo the crusade and the mantra of the founding patriots, the dead and the living. The most viable starting point is to develop a steadfast front of Afro-realism, a true, real sincere, manifest Pan African spirit that will guide our endeavour. Admittedly, there are infinite differences that justify the non-viability of a pan-African ethos. Yes there are protracted, barbaric wars; there are staunch ethnic loyalties and clannish rivalry but which part of the globe is homogenous enough? In our pragmatic urge to satisfy individual national strategic interests, African nations must take a hard look at the scenario we are in and give up those bondages of ancient that have made us tyrannies to our own continent. Regionalism in Africa has taken the shape of too many overlapping groupings which are only exacerbating confusion and further fragmentation. What we must do is move away from the artificial African Union structure. We must adopt a consistent and compact unit manifesting true partnership in our venture to be functional in the world. Our will as a people is just enough. Frankly it is up to us.

The new supranationality is indeed only a contemporary phenomenon engendered by the “Unholy Trinity”-the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO. Some various nations are termed as quasi-sovereigns for they have lost control of their national being to these corporations. Relations between Africa and the North are organized along oligopolies which have a wide leverage in the world economy and domestic politics of African. These oligopolies are constantly looking for markets of scale to facilitate production and demand for their products and services. It is thus apparent that a unitary Africa would provide a vibrant market for these corporations. They need the market, and we have the market even better if we are one entity because the activities of these MNCs would be regulated to avoid manipulation of a single country. A unitary Africa informed by a common political and economic ideology will have a catapulting rather than a diminishing bargaining power over its natural resources such as oil. The “obsolescing bargain theory” explaining the trends of multinationals suggests that it is possible for a country hosting an MNC to learn how to extract and produce goods and services and discover global markets over a period of time. An Africa suffering from a deficiency of technological vibrancy must be keen to learn from of these corporations in an endeavour to break the dependency cycle.

Trade and development is yet another arena where the dialogue between the North and Africa is a dialogue of the deaf. Operating singly and leaving others to be manipulated, African countries have been pushed off the mainstream trade regime. Where is the trade among and between Africans on the basis of comparative advantage? There is hardly any tangible transaction of this kind going on thanks to the artificial cocoons we have trapped ourselves in. The world trading regime is hostile and to gain leverage Africa needs to start from within itself, in order to stand a concrete chance in the current system. It is so possible. If we only realized that frankly, it is up to us.

Undeniably, the apparent state of affairs is of global Darwinism and only the fittest survive the messy business of the world. Africa must grapple with this reality. We are not being oblivious to the logistical challenges here or to the complicated international relations within Africa. The human beings of other parts of the world have done it. It must have been a utopia for them once upon a time. Why can’t we believe so deeply in our own utopia until it becomes real? Frankly, it is up to us.

By: Humphrey Okore

The burning of a church in the Rift valley area led to another idea of expressing anger among the residents of Kibera where three churches, the Lutheran, Pentecostal church of East Africa (PCEA) and the Africa Inland church (AIC), were burned down. Both the PCEA and the Lutheran were burned down to ashes, but the AIC was rescued. The burning of the AIC church was because it was officially opened by the former president of the republic of Kenya, Honourable Moi, who was also supporting Mr Kibaki for his re-election, yet rumour had it that it was because the pastor was telling his followers to vote for Mr Kibaki before the elections.

The youths who made their way into the church at about 12.00 am, started lighting the church building while screaming and saying that since it was Mr Moi who opened the church, then officially it does not deserve to be here. After lighting the fire, the residents left, leaving the church to burn.

This was the moment that I made my way with a friend of mine to take some photos of the church. Some of the believers went in to put off the fire which did not destroy the church much while others were removing parts of the ceiling board which could burn. The pastor, being there to help them and advise, said, “please do not set us,” as he was afraid since he knew if the youths realized he had talked they may come back for him or to burn the church and maybe destroy the remaining parts. One of the hooligans saw me in the church compound taking photos and claimed that he saw some people who were putting off the fire they gathered and made their way back to deal with us. As we were leaving we came face to face with the youths but we did not panic as we knew all about them. One of them started raising an alarm to the others and saying that here we were, the group that was putting out the fire. He was pointing me with a piece of wood while another one was carrying a panga. I was tense and looked at the face of the one who were carrying the panga and the piece of wood.

We started screaming “siafu, siafu, siafu.” This was the term that was used by the hooligans to recognize each other, the word was used when they suspected someone was not part of them when you did not reply you were an enemy. We were threatened to speak in luo but we did not have any problem with that. As they were talking to us they saw another group that had found goods and were going with them. This is the moment that we were left but were told to go as we were going.

The hooligans entered the other part of the church where the goods were broken things and windows to get all that was good for them. All of a sudden they remembered about us and asked my friend where we had gone. They then continued to drag a car out of the parking and hanging on it. They took it into the middle of the road, broke in and stole all that they could steal. This is the moment that a certain person grabbed me, started raising an alarm that I was taking photos, and slapped me on the face. I tried to talk but he could not let me, so he grabbed the camera but I could not let it go, he started kicking me and the others joined him. I did not let the camera go off my hand, while I was struggling with the guy, the others stole all that were in my pocket, my phone and the money that I had. Another guy kicked my back, leaving me to stagger. I tried to look who it was, and this is the time the guy who had grabbed the camera got a chance and gave me a blow and I left the camera as I saw my life much more important than the camera. I tried to look at his face but he slapped me again and I could not see giving him a chance to run. After taking all that I had, they left me alone and went into the church and continued looting. The car that had been dragged was put on fire, this is the moment one of the guys returned me my bag that I used to carry the camera since it was not useful to him, and I was warned to keep quiet as those youths did not care whatever happened to any one. I stood for some moment watching while trying to trace the guy who had stole my camera but he was no where to be seen.

Looting continued in the church with the youths carrying very heavy goods including Generators, car batteries with others climbing the mild hill carrying a complete bed while others even carried the chair that belonged to the pastor.

All of a sudden the tyre of the burning car burst leaving everybody to scramble for safety where they were as they thought that it was the police who had shot. Moments afterwards the police came in to the church and caught hold of the looters who were still there and forced them to put off the fire in the church. They were carrying soaps that were in the Jerri cans when they were trapped, they carried water for sometime then one of them went back into the store and carried two Jerri cans full of soap and was caught by the policemen and shot on the leg forcing the others to surrender, two of them were left to go and take the man to the hospital while the others were told to continue putting out the fire. All of sudden one of the youths tried to make his way out of the church through the fence with two Jerri cans but luckily or unluckily he was seen by the police and was shot on the thighs. “I was afraid and was just praying that the police would let us go home, I wish I did not come,” said Ugunja who had gone back home after a man was shot next to him when they were going to Uhuru park for the mass action that was called by the opposition. “I came home and cooked my lunch of bananas and swore that I would not go back to any other place. To prove all I wore white clothes, but on hearing that goods were being stolen at the church I just found myself there and all of a sudden we were forced to stop when a policeman came where we were and we tried to escape at first but we could not manage as the floor was slippery and we were falling as we tried to move with the soap that we had carried, we surrendered then one of us was shot but fell down and the bullet found his shoulders. We were all afraid and the policeman told us to put off the fire. I fell and my white clothes were black with the dirt that came the pieces of wood that were burning I swore never to go where there is looting in my life after missing death for two times.”

The moment I arrived home is the time that I started feeling pain; I had a friction burn that had been caused by the bag that was grabbed from my neck, and also my back was aching after the kicking. All that was painful to me was that I had lost all the photos that I had in the camera, even the pain of losing the camera was not that much as I can find another one but of the photos I can not get the same ones.

By: Humphrey Okore

“Kura yangu, Kura yangu” (My vote my vote) this was all
that was said by those who were looting peoples properties In Kibera. “Hii ndio ugatuzi, mali inaingia kutoka estate inaenda slums,” -This is now Ugatuzi (distribution of resources) goods are moving from the estates into the slums- claimed one of the resident who was carrying a computer and a suitcase. “Raila has taken the presidency and after one week I have all that I have been craving for what about a year” reprimanded a man carrying a bag of charcoal.
All that is remaining is the shell of Kibera; it is like a
playground at the hawkers market in Toi and a wide road at Olympic estate. Toi market was raided three times but the sellers there managed to retreat the looters but at last they were overpowered when the group was large and angry after being denied a chance to go to Uhuru park.
“We did not receive any help from the police, they just returned those who were going to Uhuru park, when they reached near the market they started by raiding a hotel that was round before making there way into the market we tried to resist but we were overpowered and had to let it go but just ran for our lives, we were chased till where we met policemen who returned them leaving us to escape. It was a large group of almost 700-1000 people as I only saw the first ones to enter but there were still some who were coming.” claimed kumongishu who lost goods worth 200,000 and was selling bags, materials umbrellas and hanger,“We are guarding our stalls which they are claiming that we will not take, they have stolen our properties now they want to steal our stalls.” said Francis who had lost goods worth 20,000 and was selling clothes. When asked who are the people who were looting most of them said that it was the Nubians and the luo with a mixture of other who were few. Some were carrying crude weapons with some having guns which were seen when they bent down. This scared the people who were there forcing them to freeze. “They stole all that we had, cooked and ate before burning our stalls. I had three stalls, a hotel and I was selling vegetables, I ran when the youths arrived, a majority of the ones who were stealing foodstuffs were young girls and women, said muthama. “The youths were saying that they will enter the market some time as they wanted to go to Uhuru park, I lost almost 150000 shillings, if you can help us return to the right track please help us. I have
nothing at all now this was all that I had.”
The youths knew the owners of the stalls as they used to buy goods from them, those that belonged to the luo were not burnt and also some that belonged to the Maasai and the Chagga who sweet talked them survived Reuben who had one months in Kenya was hit by a teargas canister on the stomach but was not treated even after being taken to the hospital. “I am feeling a lot of pain on my ribs and my stomach, I was taken to the hospital but I was not treated, those that were being treated were the ones who had cuts and those who were shot, I was there since noon till morning the next day. I was not given anything to eat I was being told that I have to wait after receiving a receipt, this forced me to come back home” said Reuben who seemed hungry and was given milk by his brother to drink.
“No one should take this stalls it will now belong to me from now onwards, anyone who has problem should go to my father Mr Raila,” Claimed a woman when I was interviewing Musela of Tanzanian Origin and had been in the country for one year. He lost his passport but had not reported as he still wanted to stop the youths from grabbing his stall. “I have nothing at the moment, only the clothes that I am wearing, my shop was raided they took everything including the phones that I was charging, broke my fridge, drank all the drinks that I had then crashed the bottles. They also cooked on the utensils that were in my hotel them made away with them” Claimed Musela.
We all blame Raila, Kibaki and the police “We have lost our source of livelihood and know not how we will survive and this is the beginning of the year. How will we pay school fees for our children, buy for them uniform and all that are wanted at school, we are the ones who are suffering yet those who are involved are living a good life away from trouble.” claimed Flora who was selling shoes at the market loosing 50000 due to the violence that rocked Kibera.
The residents came to realize that they all need each other; this was after they could not find food to eat and there were only few shops that were operating and were taking advantage of the situation by overcharging. People had to
walk for miles to get some basic necessities like paraffin which was not available in the area. At laini saba it forced those who were selling there to beg people to follow the route after they were not selling any property. They claim that they were cheated that the luo were going to raid them forcing them to create a check point where people were being asked I.D cards and if found to be a luo one was circumcised with a blunt knives and or man slaughtered. The kikuyus who had houses in the area are not allowed a chance to pick there rent, those who used to stay there their houses were raided and all the properties were stolen and others burnt and the houses were taken by the homeless.

by: Anne Chege and Humphrey Okore

The Environment we live in affect our ways of life directly or indirectly .We always learn through the surrounding and act within the surrounding. What we see, what we hear and what we use have great impact to our daily operation. Our normal daily activities really affect our way of lives, thus the concern of our health and the environment.

The day to day activities of the people living within Kibera for this matter have great effect to environment. The consumption of both Agricultural and industrial products like Bread, Milk, Cooking fat ,Green vegetables etc have resulted in to the production of the disposal of the waste products of such products in unmindful way to the environment Majority of people seems not to be concerned about the effects of the careless disposal of the used products in the surrounding. Most of health problems that we experience in informal settlement like Kibera are created by people living within Kibera . Majority tend to ignore role of being responsible people. The poor disposal of waste products have resulted in to garbage hills within Kibera slum. These have paved way to the breeding Mosquitoes which causes diseases such as Malaria and other diseases like Cholera, Typhoid etc are so common due to the negligent to the people.

The fact that Kibera is a very physically squalid settlement, have made most of the human activities to boomeranging negativity of the people themselves. Lack of proper system for garbage collection as well as poor drainage system has made it very difficult to the people of Kibera to evade diseases like Malaria. Moreover, the buildings set up is quite advantageous to those have promiscuous behaviors because majority of both youths and adults always hide in the corridors to seduce and to some extend do it very fast without being noticeable. SHOFCO Sanitation department have learnt that the Kibera set up is a great contributor to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases that includes HIV/AIDS with the rate of HIV/aids increasing from 12-25%. The sexual rates seem to be so high due to the squalidness of the structures.

This has been a challenge to the SHOFCO community and due to there need to change the community we decided to include an environmental week where the community is reached with activities like cleaning and to sensitize them on the factors that affect them both directly and indirectly. With the environment week we we managed to change the environment, as charity begins at home we decided to make our compound by planting vegetables that could be of help to the SHOFCO fraternity.

For the community we managed to clean the environment around beginning from the SHOFCO office into the slum.

Some had blisters to show for the work they were doing which have not healed especially our visitor from the united states, Jenna but she claims to be pleased as it shows how determined to help SHOFCO in there struggle to change the community. With the first step that we have made towards changing the environment we have to call it a success as we are proud to have tried the best we can to help the community as the time could allow us even if there is pretty much that still has to be done for the environment.

With many dreams on ways to help the community especially the environment due to the impact that it has on our lives, we are planing to plant trees the more that we can,with all the members taking part the way and the whole community being involved in the actions of the group as it is to the betterment of all the slum dwellers.

BY: Victoria Doobay

Monday, June 25^th, 2007 was a day that changed my life forever. It was the day that I first entered Kibera. I woke up that morning, unsure and unaware of what to expect. I had never set foot into a slum before, especially nothing as largely populated as Kibera. I was a jumble of feelings from nervous to excited to scared to happy.

We were met at the Hilton hotel in Nairobi by a lovely man named Kennedy, who is the operator of SHOFCO. As soon as I met him a connection flew in between us, and I knew that something big was in store for me that day.

We began our drive to Kibera. The roads became a little dustier, the streets of Nairobi continued to swarm with multitudes of people, and the sun shone brightly the entire time as I sat in the backseat of the car taking pictures of my surroundings.

We arrived to Kibera, and Kennedy took us into a gated area in order to get briefed on going into the actual slum, as well as gathering our video equipment. We soon began our venture into Kibera. The first thing that struck me was the happiness of the people. There were little kids running around and smiling and laughing more than I have ever seen anyone smile and laugh. It was truly beautiful. I could have stood there watching them all day, transfixed out of my mind.

We interviewed some people, we took many pictures of the people, and we visited the SHOFCO office. There we met with the ladies that make beads and listened to some of their stories and their plights. They all had young babies that they were trying to provide for by making the beautiful beads. They inspired me, as well as all of Kennedy’s work trying to make life better for the people of Kibera. Therefore, I decided to buy a few pieces that the ladies had poured their hearts and souls into making, and I’ve never been happier with a purchase in my life. I wear the necklace I bought there every day, and I have issues taking it off, because I feel like it is a part of me now. I hold it, and I feel Kibera.

We continued on deeper into Kibera, and we came across many houses built way too close together. The mud and the trash surrounded the area in which we walked. On the contrary there were many kids that surrounded the area in which we walked. They were the most beautiful kids I have ever seen in my life. Their eyes were absolutely dazzling, and they ran around us, so excited at the idea of us visiting them. We spent a good half hour playing with the kids, and taking pictures with them. I fell in love with this stunning little girl, who I wish I knew the name of. She was probably about 2 years old, and she ran around me with a smile decorating her face the entire time. The joy of these kids cooperating and playing so well with one another made me want to stay in Kibera for the rest of my trip.

As much as the living conditions were absolutely atrocious, and as much as there are many problems afflicting the people of Kibera, I absolutely fell in love with it. There were many people throughout the day that approached me and asked me to help them, and I want to commit myself to helping the people of Kibera. However, what I learned and what I saw that day has changed me forever. I have never felt such pure feelings of love and joy before as when I was around those children, playing with them, or when I met the lovely people that Kennedy is educating through journalism and computer studies. I did not want to leave Kibera that day, and I cannot wait until the day I go back. There is something to Kibera that calls to me, something inside my soul that makes me believe that things will get better, because these people have all the heart I have ever seen in this world. The few I have been given the privilege of knowing from Kibera have dedicated themselves to making life better for their people, and I truly admire that, and I want to help in any way that I can.

I did not even notice that Kibera is the biggest slum in Africa when I was in it, because being amongst the people makes you forget that it is inhumane that people should live that way. Their smiles, their chatter, their intelligence, and their hearts blinded me to the problems. They do exist though. It hit me later, and I have decided that I will do anything I can to try and help. However, Kibera is home to people with dedicated strong hearts, and they inspire me every day.

By Humphrey Okore
Thanks to five minutes to midnight director Wojciek Gryc for making the blog for me and the editor in chief Hannah Renglich for encouraging me, to help change the stereotype surrounding Kibera. Since there is nothing that I can do to match the favour that you’ve done for me, I will do the little that I can but rest assured it comes from the deepest part of my heart. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and you, having done it, is considered a true friend.

With this blog I hope to bring to light the struggles of life that accompany life in the slums I intend to involve all the interested people who share the passion of living in Kibera and together we hope to change the perception that life in the slums is nothing but pure hell. We want to bring the positive unseen side of this place that has become home to over three million people.

Your assistance is a surely a head start in this task. I am sure that through the use of this tool that you have offered me, this goal will be achieved. I therefore would like to thank you abundantly for your assistance and promise to make good use of it.

I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE IT.