This project and the associated book aim to present a composite biography that tells the story of life in Kibera, the largest slum in Sub-Saharan Africa.

slum: n. \sləm\ A densely populated, usually urban area marked by crowding, dirty run-down housing, poverty, and social disorganization.

The idea

Kenya and much of the rest of central and eastern Africa were in the grip of a prolonged drought and famine in mid-2009. Nairobi had somewhat stablized after the conflagration, which had overflowed into highly publicized rioting in Kibera, surrounding the late-'07 and early-'08 election results. Daily life, however, remained more difficult than usual, with maize supplies running low, water availability becoming more infrequent, and food prices oscillating.

Near the end of the summer, Genesis Njeru and his wife Faith, with help from their friend Greg Lanier, prayed and discerned an opportunity to do something that would provide a lasting impact for the people who lived around their 9' by 9' mud-walled house in Kibera. Their idea was to build relationships with people all around Kibera – some familiar, some unfamiliar – to learn about their lives, how they got to Kibera, and what they do day-to-day. They would also seek to meet their physical needs whenever possible.

Based on their conversations and interviews, Genesis and Faith then set to writing biographies for each of the individuals or families they met. Their aim was to write simply and present a real, not idealized, portrait of the people they got to know.

A voice for the people

Several months of Genesis and Faith's traversing the hills of Kibera and corresponding with Greg overseas resulted in a book that expresses the views, hopes, and fears of the people struggling to live in Africa's largest slum ... written from the perspective of one of their very own.

However, even if the book fails to be read by anyone, Genesis and Faith believe their work has been a success simply because, if for no other reason, God has taught them to be more committed to looking beyond their situation and tangibly loving those who suffer around them. For what good is awareness-raising if one does not love?