Seeing Kenya Through Local Eyes

Many high school students are involved with some sort of community service to better their communities. This summer I decided to take that to the next level by taking my community service global and volunteering in one of the largest slums in the world.

Kibera, Kenya was recently torn apart by the Kenyan post-election violence. Despite this, there is still a stronger sense of community and bonding than you will find in most suburban communities around the globe.

While not every community member feels an obligation to improve the trash-drenched slum, many do. And I saw that the impact of a few residents of Kibera can be significant. Carolina for Kibera is a program that enables locals to provoke change in the community by giving them the resources that they lack to enable growth and awareness and positive change in the community. CFK has slowly grown over the past decade to include a clinic, a women's support program, a sports program, and a sexual reproductive health program, as well as other educational outlets.

Carolina For Kibera is creating awareness within the community about the problems the slum faces and how to overcome them. I took on a project within the organizations that had a public awareness message. Having visited the slum two years ago, I knew something about what was going on in Kibera. However, most people around the world are blind to the sufferings of approximately a million people in this community. I felt that the best means to depict the story of Kibera would be through video. In fact, the only footage that ever makes it out of Kibera is that which is taken by foreigners.

So, with the help of Pure Digital and Apple I was able to bring 10 flip video cameras and two 24-inch iMacs to Kibera. With these tools I set to work with a team of four locals on telling the story of Kibera through their eyes. I then set-up a YouTube channel for them to make their posts. My goal was for the world to be able to see Kibera through the eyes of its citizens.

To fully understand the hardships of the slum life, I lived in the slum with an employee of the organization. I gained an infinitely new perspective on how life is for the least fortunate -- and found a new appreciation for my lifestyle in the States.

I am grateful for my experience with CFK and the residents of Kibera. However, I request that you look at my YouTube channel because words truly can't describe the state of living. My hope is that through awareness, more individuals will be encouraged to make changes, not only in their own communities, but around the world.

You can find all of the YouTube videos here.

An extra video I posted is here. And here are pictures from the trip.

Comments

[JEspinel]

Kyle - Great work. Thank you for sharing your experiences. This is an excellent way to leverage the new technologies to make this a better world.

[rbarcott]

Kyle, thanks for all you did and are doing for CFK and for Kibera. This is an important example of how technology can be leveraged to help empower disenfranchised communities.

Rye Barcott
Carolina FOr Kibera, Inc.

[hevin]

A true gift, at least as I have been taught, is something given to another with not only love, but also sacrifice. In reading your article I get a sense your trip was comprised of both. Your love ( or serious affinity) of ensuring equality prevails, and your sacrifice of your precious time was indeed a true gift to the people of Kibera. Your gift will allow the opportunity for others to come in and assist these people.

We need more people giving true gifts, people like you.

[kbrunett]

Hi Kyle - What a worthy project and no doubt a great experience. Pure joy.

[Jules Hanna]

Kyle, you are using information to help make the world a smaller place in a very meaningful way.
Thank you for helping us all connect with the humanity of Kibera.
Your work is a gift and inspiration all around.

[Lisa Hempel]

Kyle, thank you for sharing your experience. The work you have done is inspirational!

And, hats off to your parents for being so supportive to give you this incredible opportunity!

[StephanSandoval]

Wow Kyle! A very inspiring and admirable task you have set yourself to, Great job!
Keep up the good work, Way to raise awareness of issues we don't see or think about every day.

[rorope]

Truly inspirational and a great example of how technology can help us learn more about the world. I wish there were more people – young, old and in between – who showed this much dedication for such a good cause.

[jkinchley]

Kyle, great work that is an inspiration to us al.

[Marianna Astakhova]

Kyle, what you are doing is truly inspiring. Through your videos and pictures you are raising awareness and hopefully inspiring others to get involved and do something similar.

Most importantly, you are setting a good example for teenagers that can learn from you and perhaps make a difference as well.

Again, truly inspiring!

[Walter Feigenson]

Kyle, you're a real tribute to the youth of America. This world needs more people like you who are willing to take risks to help the less fortunate. Imagine how the people of Kibera could contribute if they could realistically hope for better lives. Thanks from a fellow American for being our representative in this worthy cause.

[Irene Kimmel]

I think it is great when people, young or old want to see the world but kill two birds with one stone and do something when they are on their journeys. I grew up listening to my mother speak so highly of the people that she met on her island from the Peace Corp and later in life never seem to hear of those out there on a venture to help people and experience other cultures, countries, and societies.
Kudos to Kyle for taking a trip that means something to others as well as creating a memory that he can pass on to his children. Surf trips are great but adventures like this surpass catching the biggest wave by a long shot.

[AlyKhanSatchu]

I am full of admiration for Folk who seek to make a difference in Africa. Many look at the Continent only with the intent of digging things out of the ground but the greatest natural resource in Africa is those who walk upon it.

Aly-Khan Satchu
www.rich.co.ke
Twitter alykhansatchu