On Saturday, June 26, Charles and I visit Kibera, Nairobi, the largest urban slum in Nairobi and the second largest urban slum in Africa (after Soweto, South Africa).
We were there visiting a contact, Ibraham, through a friend of the Usalama Project, Joe Mulligan. Ibraham is the managing director of the New Nairobi Dam Community Based Organization, which seeks to unite community groups within Kibera and to create public space within the slum. Already they have been successful in building gabions and bridges, in order to clear land on the outskirts that was previously unused. They are looking to expand operations by opening up a latrine and kitchen center that could be the second phase of projects in the space, and focused on income generating activities.
The previous projects, a mixed use community space and training facility have been pretty successful. in the training facility there is a woman's group that does basket weaving, and there are some vegetable gardens. The community space is basically a stage, with protection from the sun and rainwater catchment.
It was pretty intense in Kibera, most of my experience is in rural areas, and it was pretty amazing to see how people can survive in very very close quarters. Ibraham was a very interesting guy with a good vision for the organization and seems to have what it takes to see it through.
If you are interested in the organization or want to learn more, let me know, or see this link and this one. There might be opportunity for anyone who is interested in urban development and slum issues. Of course, there is no set program in place, so its something that requires taking the initiative.
More pictures of our visit are available here. A report is available here, and email me at matt@ewbny.org if you'd like more info.
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