Korogocho Slums

OK...where to begin? As I said previously, on Tuesady we went to the Korogocho slums. This is an area about 20 minutes outside of Nairobi city. It is about 85 hectares in size and is home to approx. 200,000 people, of which more than half are children. The slums border the garbage dump used by the entire city and area. I cannot describe in words the dust, filth and stench - you can only believe me when I say that it is beyond comprehension!

Garbage dump in background with vultures center/right:

When I went to Palabana, Zambia 2 years ago, I always told people that although there was obvious poverty and illness, the surroundings were so picturesque, and the people were so warm and friendly, that you didn't feel sad nor pity for them. Korogocho is like what we always see on TV - like where Bono, or Brad & Angelina, etc. have visited. (No, I don't feel like a movie star or celebrity!). We did a home visit to a man (James) with HIV. His "house" (tin dwelling) was about 8feet x 8 ft (the size of inside a minivan?). You had to duck to get in and there were no windows, so even though it was in the middle of the day, it was pitch black inside. Inside was a bed, 2 short stools, a "kitchen area", and a corner for storage. There was maybe a 1 x 3 foot space to walk or stand. Living here was James, his wife and 3 young children. The odor inside was a mixture of garbage, human waste and sweat. I would have loved to take a picture of the inside to show you, but out of respect for the family, did not feel comfortable taking one. Maybe another day...

Outside of James' house:

Running through the entire slum area are gutters which are jammed with rotten food, plastic bags and other garbage that blows up from the dump. Sewage pipes are broken, so "clean" water and sewage water get all mixed together and then the waters become stagnant in these gutters due to the garbage.
(gutter at left)


A street in the slum:                                                             
UMay, the organization we are now linked with, has partnered with some local CBO's (Community Based Orgs) and a school. Over the next week, we will work at the clinic (MAKWK) a couple of days; do home visits with a couple of men from MMAAK (Movement of Men Against AIDS in Kenya); and help at a local school started up by some kind and giving people in order to provide education to some local children. At the end of next week, we will decide where we want to spend the rest of our time here - with one of these places? Starting our own project?




Kevin, David & Louise (on our way to work):

UMay is a brand new NGO (Non-Government Org.). Louise, Kevin and I are their very first volunteers -I told them that our pictures should therefore be on their website!! :o).  It is a learning experience for all involved here.
Over the next week, I will go into more detail about these partnered entities and our experience with them.







Before I end this, I of course have to add a picture of a couple of sweet children.

Love to all,
Yvonne

p.s. For $20/month, we have unlimited access to the internet on Mama Lydia's home computer - how awesome! I am writing this while enjoying Kenya's oldest beer TUSKER (est. 1922) - yum!  :o)