Kibera

Today was, at long last, a day without class or any other obligations. I decided not to go to church…not quite up to watching another woman catch the spirit and begin communicating with Jesus in tongues. So instead I went with Matt (a great guy who, believe it or not, goes to Wesleyan!) to explore the city. We decided to just hop into a matatu, and go for an adventure. We went around to the city center, got a little (intentionally) lost and just wandered through central Nairobi. I love just hopping into a rickety old vehicle, holding on tight (when it’s scary, I just pretend it’s an amusement park ride) and seeing where we end up (as routes/schedules, well they don’t really exist here,) so anyone’s guess is as good as mine as to where you’ll really wind up.

After adventuring with Matt, I met Kennedy in Kibera. I realize I have yet to write extensively, or at all, about Kennedy, SHOFCO, and my project in Kibera. Let me begin by saying that Kennedy is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met—in just a month he’s become my African brother. We have had the best conversations about the different social norms, our lives, as well as about theatre and its role here…I began communicating with Kennedy through email about 5 months ago via Ma-Yi Theatre Company in the states. Two years ago, after running out of money for college, Kennedy (who is only 23 himself!) decided to, instead of pursing funds to continue schooling in America move to Kibera (the second largest slum in the entire world, and the largest in Africa) to help his people. He moved to Kwatrikera, which is just an area, or village as it’s called of Kibera and founded what is called SHOFKO: the shining hope for the youth of Kibera. At the beginning, SHOFKO used soccer to keep youths off the streets—away from prostitution, drugs, drinking, AIDS, and starvation by both occupying their time, and providing anyone who played with a meal. Soon, Kennedy decided that theatre would actually perhaps be a more effective tool of uplift—so he and a bunch of youths brainstormed the problems of Kibera, and began to observe closely with the intent to both act out these problems, as well as possible solutions. Now SHOFKO has over 80 youths involved, and has also begun what Kennedy calls “The Women’s Empowerment Program” where women, especially those striken with HIV/AIDS make jewelry, which Kennedy then helps them sell in an effort to introduce them to microfinance. After talking with Kennedy, we decided that I will create and direct a piece that I will create in collaboration with 20 of these youths as my major project while here. We’ve begun meeting about the process, as well as about the topic—which I very much want to choose as a group. After our first talks about a month ago it became clear that coming to Kibera each day to do this work and then leaving would not create an atmosphere that was conducive to productive collaboration—as the youths would perceive me as a muzungu outsider, as in a position of unequal power. And so I decided that in order to create collaboratively, I need to live in and with the community with which I’m working. At first, well Kennedy was a bit shocked, as he said that he’s had white friends visit, but don’t think any white person has really ever lived in Kibera. But after thinking it over, he decided that it was the best idea possible—a opinion that was confirmed after he told the youths. The difference in their reception of me after they learned I would live with them only affirmed my decision. Before hand they were dubious—wary of this white outsider who wanted to “help.” After hearing I would like with Kennedy they first reacted with disbelief, and then, with empowered confidence, awe and excitement that I wanted to live with them, that I so wanted their respect and felt that hey, if they can live in Kibera, well so can I. No barriers. No hierarchies. Just people living and creating together. When I came to Kibera today—they were so welcoming, all said how excited they are to have me as one of them, they hugged me and called me their sister, slapped me five, talked my ear off with ideas…it was just incredible. So beginning November 8thn through December 10th I will live in half of Kennedy’s room (it’s a very small concrete room, no electricity etc. in which we will just hang a curtain down the middle) in Katwikera Kibera for a month. I am so excited, so awed by the kindness of the people and the excitement of the youth that I am there excited to work with them, in possession of some knowledge about theatre that they desperately want to partake in, that I’m young (they are ages 16-25), and this brave, and I guess kind of radical white girl. It will be the experience of a life time…I can’t even describe the poverty of Kibera to you. Here, a person can eat on $1 a day, but most are unable to do even that. I felt surprisingly safe there---and Odoch (my program director, and the guy responsible for our safety) has approved the location—and Kennedy (already the protective big brother) says he will never leave my side. But honestly—I really felt that the whole community will envelop me, embrace me and that together we will be able to create and learn so much.