Ok everybody, so this blog was slow to start, but what I lack in promptness I promise to make up in energy. As you know by now I am in Nairobi, Kenya working with Missions of Hope international. This mission is a holistic program designed to empower the people of Mathare Valley.
Background: Mathare is referred to as the oldest and dirtiest slum in Africa. It is also dangerous, as it is a center for criminals, prostitutes, and drug addicts. Most people come to the slums as a result of an unfortunate move. They hear stories about jobs being found in Nairobi (the country's capital), however, no jobs exist. People move from the country to live in the city, but with no jobs and no substantial finances, people are forced to move to the slums. A few people are employed here; they carry jobs as watchmen or laborers, some have their own businesses and sell fruits, vegetables, or services.
There are approximately 500,000 people living in an area less than 2 kilometers x 300 meters. It is only a few miles from the city, but few people ever visit the slums -but the growing population is like a festering sore, it can only be ignored for so long.
There are a lot of misconceptions about the slums, many of which I myself had before visiting. From a westerner's vantage point, slums are a terrible place to live -but I assure you it is much worse than just a terrible place to live. The slums are not a temporary residence for those who couldn't make ends meet. It is not just a location for those who cannot find jobs. The slums are a terrifying, health hazardous, degrading, nightmare.
There is a river that runs through Mathare, the Nairobi river, but it is so polluted that even the most optimistic environmentalist would view the restoration as hopeless. The people collect their water in the form of jugs from central areas within their communities. There is no running water, there is no electricity, and toilets are on a pay-per use basis. Obviously in their economic state, there are those unwilling to pay to use the facilities, so instead they have what we call flying toilets. If you see a black bag in Mathare Valley, make sure not to step on it.
Method: In all of this destitution there is hope. Missions of Hope international seeks to empower the people of Mathare. They have set up schools and planted churches. Many of the communities now have schools with young children who have the opportunity to rise up through the education system. This is the life-bread for change. These children have the opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty! Empowerment, that is what Missions of Hope is all about. They want to empower the people to make a change for themselves!
Results: MOHi has been met with resistance from the drug dealers and brewers of the valley, but they are overwhelmingly accepted by those who see their good deeds and reap the benefits. MOHi does not just reach out to the children, but their parents as well -through BDS and CHE (more on these programs later). Parents pay a very small fee (60 shillings) 80 shillings=$1.00USD for their child to go to school. Although this amount could not pay for one day's worth of schooling, the parent still feels like they have contributed. In this way they can take pride in the education that their child is receiving. There are other similar projects in which community members take ownership of projects. This instills power and hope into the people.
Progress continues as MOHi employs 250 Kenyans. They work in different communities within the Mathare valley. There are schools in most of the communities, (7 of 10) and the enrollment is at 6,400 -and it is rapidly increasing. All of the 37 eighth-grade graduates of 2009 did well on the National exams and were placed in good high schools. Two students were invited to attend the best high school in the country, Starhe Boys Center.
Conclusion: Mary and Wallace Kamau, the founders of MOHi are on a mission to see that the children of Mathare are not only physically healed, but spiritually nurtured as well. God has given them a vision, and they are dutifully following his lead. This program continues to grow, and as it does, more and more people are being led to Christ. Christ demonstrated love, he healed the sick, and he came so that we could have life eternal. At MOHi, this vision of holistic health is being lived out.
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