Can 20 boys play for 20 years?

The Kibera Slum

Photograph of The Kibera Slum - thought to be the largest in Africa

 

Kibera is one of a number of slums ( 3 I believe) located within Nairobi. And if you look above at the outline of Kibera, you can see that just above is a golf course that has been built. From my visit to the slum and having spent a few hours on a golf course, there is a stark contrast to this and the realities of life in Kibera. Life is hard within the boundaries in one of the world's largest slums located less than 5 kms from the city center.

With somewhere between 250,000 and a million souls occupying an area of roughly 2 sq kms, the realities of this world are very different to the one most are accustomed. Originally a gift to Sudanese riflemen, it has existed for more than a century and continues to be a very challenging political and economic "hot potato" for the government of the day. Poverty and votes more inextricably intertwined than Tegan & Sarah.

I spoke at length with a man who grew up in Kibera. "you look at the shoes" he told me." Huh"? I said. " Well if the shoes have grips on the bottom like a hiking shoe you know they are drug dealers or thugs and you need to beware." He went on to tell me about the time he was shot and watched others shot as well. The outcome of petty crimes of desperation going very badly. It's a place, he told me, where 20 boys can never play for 20 years. At least one will not make it.

 

 

Despite the challenges of the area, Local government and committed NGO's are making a real difference. Recently public flush toilets, electricity and water have come to Kibera as well as paved roads making life a little easier for the people here. Also greatly improved is access to health care. Home to a recent Cholera outbreak, a tragic history of endemic HIV and TB  as well has a host of other persistent health care challenges, MSF operates a number of well attended clinics. In addition a hospital has just recently been built by MSF.

 

 

 

 

The facility has just recently opened and operates with a combination of MSF and Kenyan government supported employees. With roughly 200 persons arriving daily, the pace is hectic and the ques are always long but all who come are seen thanks to the tremendous commitment from this team. A record 18 babies were born here one day last week. With only 3 beds available that could not have been an easy day. Included within the hospital grounds is a brightly colored children's playground that attracts kids from all through the slum - regardless of whether or not they are sick :)  

 

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES



Anyone seen Sara? Nothing is awesome

I also visited the National Archives  of Kenya and really enjoyed shuffling around looking at artifacts mostly added since independence  rightfully claimed from the Colonial power when the UK ceded sovereignty to Jomo Kenyatta on December 12 1963. I attended the exhibit on the day of the annual independence celebration (Madaraka) which occurs on June 1st each year and is a National holiday. As I walked around and explored the gallery I was all alone as staff and visitors alike were in the lobby gathered around the television listening to President Uhuru Kenyatta. He spoke about the successes that have come to Kenya in such a brief period of time. He  also talked about the challenges of insecurity and corruption and his plans to address this 2- headed monster. From what I can see it has not been an easy journey but Kenyans are tenacious and become united by adversity. Getting 42 tribes to think alike must be like herding kittycats on amphetamines during a fireworks demonstration.... but they are doing it.





Jomo Kenyatta's chair  - if that chair could talk it would say: Queen Elizabeth and her Mom seemed so nice at first but turned out to be real bossy pants!



 

Great Sculpture: MaKonde Tree of Life from Tanzania.... Love it.