Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Kibera, utter hopelessness but wait there has to be a way.

Today, we went back to spend time with Lea Toto program in this place that is life changing, Kibera. Ok so, the first time we went there I was in shock. Today I really realized what I was really experiencing. Rows and rows of metal, wood, and mud shacks as far as the eye can see. People who have to pay every time they go to the bathroom. They walk distances to water that they have to still boil after paying. Work? There are shops of goods and foods all over almost set up like the ones on street corners in big cities. But most have to walk miles for Jobs that may exist that day or not. Didn't all of these people come here for jobs? I guess that the kids parents at he day care have jobs. Most people do not like photos taken of them so it is hard to get the photos that I want of the layout of the land. Upsetting anyone is the last thing that I would want to do. This place is just so overwhelming.







We went with Sister Joyce (below) around again to a couple of homes. This was the first. A 16 year old kid(above) taking care of her sick 14 year old cousin(below). She is only 50 lbs. Stopped going to school two months ago but loves science and her favorite food is liver. I thought that my Granddad was the only person who loved liver. Anyway, her spirit seemed high and she smiled often. They were oh so welcoming to us. Did I say that this was overwhelming. There really are no words...

We went to this Woman's home and visited her and her 1 month old baby. She had moved there a couple of years ago with her husband and her 4 brothers. She found out that the had the virus when she was pregnant with her first child who is now 4. It is now a law in Kenya that everyone pregnant has to have an AIDS test. Below is a view of her decorated ceiling. She married for stability. Now however she is the only one of her siblings that work and they all live in her place. She says that her bothers are all depressed and just drink. How do all of these people suddenly find themselves in this all so terrifying place?

Not only how do we get them out but how do we prevent them from coming. I understand that it is just part of a process of urbanization and development. But it must stop. They must feel as if where there villages where they come from have hope, steady food and shelter. How can we create that? So it will prevent them from coming to this place where no human should live.
I think that the answer is in creating villages like the Nyumbani Village. By creating Kibbutzim all over the country it would enable them to have work, food, as well as a shelter that far surpasses Kibera. That is the only way, Sustainable Development. Without sustainable development places like Kibera will continue to grow and trap these people that come here with so much hope. There has to be a future for these children.


We went back to Lea Toto and spent more time a the day car and fed them lunch.







I was feeding this kid. I know from the messiness it is obvious.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

shabbat shalom. i'm overwhelmed. truly. what to do? i want them all. they're all so beautiful and perfect. i'm so grateful that you're there and that you can come back and tell us everything. do we get the michael jones in africa calendar 2008? i hope so! such amazing photos. then we get to be in africa with you for a year! don't drink cow blood - not kosher! come home soon, safely and with many children for me to love.