I wasn’t sure I wanted to post about my visit to one of the largest slums in Africa.
But after considering any possible downsides, and after conversations with my friend
@collinswasonga , who was born and raised there, it became clear that seeing and showing can contribute to positive change.
So welcome to a place I fell in love with — Kibera.
Kibera is complex, challenging and full of life. Before going in, we bought basic necessities such as food and sanitary products for the families we met. I bought sanitary pads for the first time; menstruation hygiene remains a significant issue, and around 65% of women and girls in Kenya cannot afford pads.
A personal highlight was visiting a school, speaking with teachers and students, learning about their classes and sharing music together. There was a genuine sense of joy and ambition in the classrooms.
What makes Kibera particularly special is its strong sense of community, often separate from what the city of Nairobi provides. For example, boys have built their own fire department, and the community has established schools with women from the area acting as teachers.
Collins, who took us to Kibera, is doing remarkable work with his organisation
@agape.hope.for.kibera - a community-based organisation that, among many other things, supports and promotes the education of vulnerable children here. For anyone who wishes to learn more or help out, I can recommend this link:
/en/donate/
Kibera left a lasting impression on me — not because of what it lacks, but because of what it embodies: dignity, resilience and hope.
