Kibera
With over one million people housed within a square mile, leaving roughly 27 square feet per person, Kibera, Kenya is the largest slum in Africa. Many basic amenities do not exist within Kibera such as running water, toilets, electricity, proper drainage and garbage collection. Additionally, homes are mostly informal structures constructed from wood branches and mud with corrugated tin roofs, and generally measure no more than 100 square feet, housing upwards of 15 people. AIDS continues to be a persistent problem, with one in five Kiberan residents afflicted, as well as treatable diseases such as typhoid and malaria due to sanitation problems.
In what has become one of the world’s most perplexing issues, Kibera and its people face a tough challenge finding opportunities to better themselves and their families. Despite these challenges, many leaders are working in areas of social work, education, microfinance to create positive change in Kibera. Friends of Kibera is excited to be among the individuals leading this work.