MY HOOD

Beneath the overlapping tin roofs, are loving and amazing homes, that together forms one big family defined by love and unity. The 20+ years I’ve spent here makes a greater part of the woman I’ve become.

I joined my uncle’s family in Kibera in 2003. It took time for me to adjust to the environment. I was used to good infrastructure, enough water supply and electricity, then Boom! One pit latrine shared by about 50 households, no electricity, seasonal water fetched about 200 meters away, no accessible roads, very small and closely arranged mud houses. The eldest daughter was already married when I joined the family, so it was just my twin cousin and I. Fitting in wasn’t a big deal because we had interacted from time to time before then, plus, I had already come to terms with the fact that my mom was no more; I missed her though. Survival was not easy either, uncle didn’t have a stable job, aunty was more of a housewife, and we could barely get two meals a day.

I got enrolled at Raila Educational Centre in grade 5. My four years at the institution taught me so much. The only money I ever recorded my uncle paying was exams fees, stationary and other minor expenses. I could be sent home from time to time for school fees. There were quite a number of students in a similar situation, so the school’s administration approached and requested one of the community leaders to step in. He took the matter positively and made sure we were never sent home for school fees. My KCPE grades helped me secure a chance at St. Aloysius Gonzaga High School. The school’s main aim was to offer scholarship to orphaned and bright students from Kibera Slums. The money that my uncle could have spent on my education and other related expenses was now channeled to other household needs.

Even with the challenges, we never gave up as a family. Uncle was always optimistic about my future and kept encouraging and guiding me through the right path. He was very strict and put much emphasis on respect and discipline. He was peaceful and solved issues either personal or family in a very strategic manner. His wife on the other side was a very organized lady. She taught me all the basic house chores and life skills in general. She turned the small house into a loving home despite the financial constraints.

Kibera, just like any other place across the world, poses various challenges especially to the teenagers and the youths. Some days are peaceful, some being the craziest. The environment has strengthened spirits, encouraging persistence, hard work and discipline. The neighborhood always buzzes with unique human stories with many residents packed with a strong community identity and a sense of responsibility and care for others and with tenacity to survive. This place has helped me appreciate every bit of life. My high school, under its graduates’ program sends graduates to serve under the most challenging environment within Kibera for community service. During my six months of service as a primary school teacher, I felt a rebirth. There was this connection to some strange, sweet nature throughout the interactions with the children and their circle. This experience not only helped me identify my career path but also relook at basic life choices from time to time.

A girl of few words, as many could describe me, become vocal, through camera lens, telling real life stories and empowering youths and women on life skills matters. Life is a learning process but I’m glad I still got the title ‘Teacher’ from the beautiful souls’ interactions and connections.

Many organizations including the government are working on ways of transforming Kibera to a better place. Projects have been set up to establish better infrastructure with proper connection of water and electricity. Different organizations are bringing people together especially the youths to sensitize them on the important matters affecting their livelihoods as well as business empowerment and creating employment opportunities for sustainability.