Kibera - Largest Slum in Africa

The rusted tin roofs appear to go on forever. In this Nairobi slum live about 1 million people. The average income of a family here is about 1 dollar (80 Kenyan shillings) per day, and many receive much less than that. Nearly all of the people must pay rent, buy water and other necessities for living. Rent may run as little as Ksh 800 ($10/mth), but most pay more. As we passed through the dirt streets of the slum, it seemed as if most of the people had some type of business on those winding, narrow streets. We were impressed with the innovation and persistence of these people. One person had even dug a hole, put an outhouse over the hole, and was charging Ksh 5 for those who wanted to use the outhouse. Children were in great abundance along and in the streets playing in the dirt with unusual toys--bike tire rims and balls of paper wrapped in duct tape. These people do need our compassion, not our pity. Organizations like the Olive Branch, who are supported by people more fortunate, are making an impact in areas such as this. We want to be one of those who make a difference, don't you?