Slum: The People of Kibera

One of my good friends and the best man in our wedding, Greg Lanier, recently helped write, edit and self publish a book with someone he met on a missions trip to Kenya in 2005. His name is Genesis Njeru and he spent time interviewing several different people that live in one of the largest slums in Africa, Kibera, which is located in/near Nairobi. It was fascinating to read more information about the actual slum in the introduction and then to read the stories from all different types of people who have found their way to live in the slum.

Jamie and I went to Uganda several summers ago and though the slum we went to, called Kifumbira, was smaller, there were many similarities as all slums have. The children, the stench, the one room "houses" packed together, and people selling things out of their houses/storefronts, each brought back vivid memories of our time there.

If you have never been to a third world country and experienced a slum, I think this book would be eye opening for you. If you have seen this firsthand, this is a good description of who actually lives there and reminded me that not all of these people choose to live here and many are actually working to get out.

If you are interested in more information or helping out Genesis, his wife Faith and their new baby, read the image below for a synopsis or go to their website for updates and to order your own copy:

http://www.peopleofkibera.com


To read more out our time in Kifumbira, Uganda, check out these posts:

Uganda Day Five

Uganda Day Seven

Merry Christmas!

I have always loved watching the Muppets, they used to crack me up when I watched the reruns of the Muppet Show and they still do. I saw this today and thought I'd spread the Christmas cheer. Hope you have a merry Christmas!

Moving!

I've been absent here for a while as we have spent the last three weeks, taking a break for Thanksgiving in the middle, to pack up our current house. We've been working like crazy to clean up, pare down and pack and move boxes. We even got a little painting of the kitchen in the new place finished. We are excited to be renting a house that doesn't share a wall with anyone, has a second bathroom and is a little closer to both of our offices. I'm hoping to post some pictures once we get a little more settled.