These slums are the second largest in the world. It is hard to imagine what life is like for the Kenyans living here until you walk through the slums yourself.Everything here reminds me of Slumdog Millionare.
The stench is very strong because there is no plumbing. In Kibera they use the restroom in a plastic bag and throw them into the streets aka "flying toilets." We went to visit the KTDP (Kibera Transformation Development Program,) which is one of our laptop deployment sites. The KTDP is a little slice of heaven in comparison of the rest of Kibera. The school actually use to be a huge bar.
This bar would tear families apart because the husbands would get out of work and go to the bar and use all the money they earned for the day. When they got home their wives and children had nothing left to eat. When the Pastors first approached the bar owner he said he would not sell the bar to them. So they prayed and prayed. After a few months the bar owner approached them. Business was going bad so he decided to let them rent out the place. The school has a small courtyard with a room to the left.
The upstairs is basicaly a huge tree house. When we went upstairs we saw these big holes in the walls. I asked them what happened and they told us it was because of the "Big violence." When the election went bad 2 tribes started fighting over who should have won. Thousands and thousands were killed because of this result back in 2007. On a happier note, the students and teachers are very excited to receive the laptops.
When we came into the school they call us Muzungos (or white people) because we have light skin. The children shout out "How are you, how are you" all over again. They sing us traditional kenyan children's song while we teach them Old Mac Donald had a farm and also the chicken dance. We even got to feed the children at the school. The only way I can describe them is by this- precious gifts from God. We also ate the beans and rice that the children ate- it had a very interesting taste. When we got home our water was turned off because it is rashioned in Nairobi. We had to get buckets of water just to use the bathroom. We also had bathed with water bottles! This is something that we Americans have to get used to.
The stench is very strong because there is no plumbing. In Kibera they use the restroom in a plastic bag and throw them into the streets aka "flying toilets." We went to visit the KTDP (Kibera Transformation Development Program,) which is one of our laptop deployment sites. The KTDP is a little slice of heaven in comparison of the rest of Kibera. The school actually use to be a huge bar. 
This bar would tear families apart because the husbands would get out of work and go to the bar and use all the money they earned for the day. When they got home their wives and children had nothing left to eat. When the Pastors first approached the bar owner he said he would not sell the bar to them. So they prayed and prayed. After a few months the bar owner approached them. Business was going bad so he decided to let them rent out the place. The school has a small courtyard with a room to the left. 
The upstairs is basicaly a huge tree house. When we went upstairs we saw these big holes in the walls. I asked them what happened and they told us it was because of the "Big violence." When the election went bad 2 tribes started fighting over who should have won. Thousands and thousands were killed because of this result back in 2007. On a happier note, the students and teachers are very excited to receive the laptops. 
When we came into the school they call us Muzungos (or white people) because we have light skin. The children shout out "How are you, how are you" all over again. They sing us traditional kenyan children's song while we teach them Old Mac Donald had a farm and also the chicken dance. We even got to feed the children at the school. The only way I can describe them is by this- precious gifts from God. We also ate the beans and rice that the children ate- it had a very interesting taste. When we got home our water was turned off because it is rashioned in Nairobi. We had to get buckets of water just to use the bathroom. We also had bathed with water bottles! This is something that we Americans have to get used to.
sophiaaa! I miss you! I was driving around today & for some reason that night when we got lost downtown sa looking for medusa but then found it popped in my head! haha greaaat times! You are an inspiration woman! I'm looking up info on how I can help countries in poverty and trying to figure our when I can go with a group to help out! Your blogs are very interesting. How'd coffee with the president of Rwanda go? I can't believe you're doing this dude reading all of it seems very frustrating and hard at times...shower with water bottles? you're a troooper man! Well keep us updated...take care!!!!
ReplyDeleteby the way that comment was from me! - elaaaaine heeeng =)
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a lot of new experiences going on. How are things in Rwanda? How was the Genocide Museum? We are all proud of you and the rest of the team. We love you all! - Dad
It must be difficult to see people living under such terrible conditions. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete