spyros
16th of March 2008 (Sun), 18:04
A couple of people encouraged me to post some more photographs from an ongoing project that I am involved in to document the impact of the recent crisis in Kenya on youth living in Kibera, a large slum in the capital, Nairobi. We have been speaking with a number of youths who have also courageously let us into their world. The following images, like those in my previous post, are candids taken during the days we spent following their daily lives.
As always, my sincere thanks to you for looking. Spyros
#1 - Raila Odinga was the opposition's candidate in the Presidential election held on 27 December, which many considered he had won. On 7 March he returned to Kibera to break the news of the power-sharing peace deal brokered by Kofi Annan, and to promise a brighter future. In Kibera, Raila is considered a hero owing to his promises to improve life for those in Kibera, and many youth are willing to die for him.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181311/original.jpg
#2 - Although grand promises were made in 2002 to the population and youth of Kibera, few were kept, which explains the anger here. Housing promised for the poor has instead been converted into luxury apartments, and a 'Youth Fund' never materialised, leaving hundreds of thousands to scrounge for a (largely illicit) living.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181306/original.jpg
#3 - Despite being victims of a situation not of their making, a number of youth are managing to surmount incredible odds. Wilson, also known as 'Cartoon', is an aspiring musician who following the crisis has been writing songs to express feelings over all that has happened, as well as his hopes for the future.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181305/original.jpg
#4 - George is 21 years old and lost his job at a local factory as a result of the crisis. Angry at the plight of youth in Kibera, George was one of the thousands who participated in the political demonstrations and violence that erupted after the flawed elections. He joined in the looting that accompanied this violence due to lack of any other means to survive during this period, and now is surviving on stolen goods and the hope that conditions will improve in the short term.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181308/original.jpg
#5 - Unsung heros can be found at every corner in Kibera. Until a debilitating eye injury, Eric used to be a an up and coming soccer star. Today he coaches a number of teams drawn from Kibera youth, which he has lead to victory in numerous national and international competitions. During the crisis, Eric lead a local vigilante group, using his status to keep things calm, and to promote peace between members of opposing tribes.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94277118/original.jpg
#6 - With unemployment among youth running at over 80%, many parents fear for the future of their children. Many children are already helping their families survive by performing a variety of back-breaking chores, and on the streets they orbit around the older, tougher street youth, who expose them to the same risks and dangers that they go through. In Kibera, innocence dies young.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181309/original.jpg
All images copyrighted and not to be used in any way
As always, my sincere thanks to you for looking. Spyros
#1 - Raila Odinga was the opposition's candidate in the Presidential election held on 27 December, which many considered he had won. On 7 March he returned to Kibera to break the news of the power-sharing peace deal brokered by Kofi Annan, and to promise a brighter future. In Kibera, Raila is considered a hero owing to his promises to improve life for those in Kibera, and many youth are willing to die for him.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181311/original.jpg
#2 - Although grand promises were made in 2002 to the population and youth of Kibera, few were kept, which explains the anger here. Housing promised for the poor has instead been converted into luxury apartments, and a 'Youth Fund' never materialised, leaving hundreds of thousands to scrounge for a (largely illicit) living.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181306/original.jpg
#3 - Despite being victims of a situation not of their making, a number of youth are managing to surmount incredible odds. Wilson, also known as 'Cartoon', is an aspiring musician who following the crisis has been writing songs to express feelings over all that has happened, as well as his hopes for the future.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181305/original.jpg
#4 - George is 21 years old and lost his job at a local factory as a result of the crisis. Angry at the plight of youth in Kibera, George was one of the thousands who participated in the political demonstrations and violence that erupted after the flawed elections. He joined in the looting that accompanied this violence due to lack of any other means to survive during this period, and now is surviving on stolen goods and the hope that conditions will improve in the short term.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181308/original.jpg
#5 - Unsung heros can be found at every corner in Kibera. Until a debilitating eye injury, Eric used to be a an up and coming soccer star. Today he coaches a number of teams drawn from Kibera youth, which he has lead to victory in numerous national and international competitions. During the crisis, Eric lead a local vigilante group, using his status to keep things calm, and to promote peace between members of opposing tribes.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94277118/original.jpg
#6 - With unemployment among youth running at over 80%, many parents fear for the future of their children. Many children are already helping their families survive by performing a variety of back-breaking chores, and on the streets they orbit around the older, tougher street youth, who expose them to the same risks and dangers that they go through. In Kibera, innocence dies young.
http://www.pbase.com/sdimitriou/image/94181309/original.jpg
All images copyrighted and not to be used in any way