Day 5: The Reality of Kibera

Unfortunately Kibera was all it was supposed to be. It is the largest (or reportedly now only one of the largest) slum in Africa. Over 1 million people were living in such depressing conditions that my mind couldn’t even grasp it. Maybe 50-70% had HIV…no one really knows. The smell was intense, and I was overwhelmed being there, but I knew I had to see it. Add the aftermath and tensions of the recent uprising, and Kiberia is a potential time bomb.

At one of my lowest points, Stephen came up to me. Stephen is a local LIA helper and he feeds the 80+ kids everyday at the church we were in. He was so happy that we were there and wanted to show me the work they do. I felt the Lord with him, and it was comforting and empowering. The kids ate biscuits and tea and then finished with lunch of cabbage & rice and tea. That was their meal for the day. Same routine 5 days a week. Over the weekend Stephen said most of them eat nothing.

This school was a little sanctuary of hope: a hope that these kids would learn enough to pull themselves out of the slums, be healthy, be aware of HIV, or at least make a living to support themselves. It was a light that was amazing to see. These kids are surrounded by so much darkness. Like the rain that creates the nasty mud, the endless unhealthy dust in the dry season, the shear size of the slum, the constant danger, and even the lack of a pathway to walk on without stepping in human waste. And the list could go on, like the recent uprising which largely took part in the slum where 1,100 Kenyans were killed.

Meeting the people who get up for work and go there everyday was mind boggling to me. Such a huge undertaking, so overwhelming, so hard. One worker said everyday you look for those little victories, and that is the food you need to keep going.

Those are the people that will change Africa. LIA is one organization that I think does it the right way. They train the people to take care of and support themselves. Change mindsets, serve where it is hard and let it spread. I’m excited to be a part of it.