We went to the Kibera Slum yesterday, we visited a WEEP (Woman's Empowerment and Equality Project) center. Kibera is one of the largest slums in the world, around 1.5 million people live there. The streets were lined with piles of burning trash, there was mud and human waste everywhere. The slum did have navigable streets, we drove through to the WEEP center. Shacks lined the road, people were selling clothes, shoes, household items, and food stuffs. There were also a number of beauty parlors and pre schools.
The women at the WEEP center were inspiring. Gladys runs the WEEP center, she opened it in 2005. The center helps women with AIDS, there are currently 15 women at the center. When the women first arrive they are given food and taken to the hospital to get ARVs. Once the women are healthy Gladys teaches them how to sew. The women support themselves by sewing school uniforms.
One women, Lilian, just arrived. She recounted how she had arrived at the WEEP center. She was very weak but she traveled to Nairobi to live with her brother. Rhonda, a women from the center, befriended her. Rhoda convinced Lilian to go to the hospital and get tested, that way she "would know her status". Lilian was given ARVs with specific instructions to take them at the same time everyday, this presented a problem because Lilian had no way to tell time. Lilian was forced to ask her brother the time, once her brother discovered that Lilian had AIDS he threw her out of the house. Lilian traveled to go live with her sister but had the same experience.
Lilian is now at the WEEP center, she is getting healthy.
The women who have been there longer have assumed leadership roles in their communities. One women, Jane, has several businesses. Jane owns two houses and rents one out and she also has a tailoring business.
The women are truly inspiring. Most of them were left for dead by their families but they are now not only surviving but beginning to thrive.
Today I am going to another slum, the wife of the Israeli ambassador to Kenya is distributing aid to the people there. I will post pictures from my excursion.
Margaret
Hey Margaret,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are really being exposed to the core of human experience there. It really is sad that despite the mass efforts of so many people and organizations; HIV and AIDS remain such a large taboo over there. Im looking forward to learning a lot from your blog, take care.
Hey you sweetie, thanks for your updates on your adventures.... we're proud of you! XOXOX -Melia and Adam
ReplyDeleteHi my dear,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting and letting us follow your adventures from afar.
cont. I'm glad you're seeing a cross section of life in Nairobi. The people sound amazing. I'm reminded of a quote by Elizabeth Kubler Ross. " People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within." The HEART people are surely glowing, as are the women at the WEEP centers, as are you! Keep us posted. love, Mom
ReplyDeleteLove you Rooster! Thanks for the photos and updates - its wonderful to see all the good that you're doing! :)
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable Margaret! I am on a layover in Denver on my way to the YMCA General Assembly in Utah when I got to go to your blog.
ReplyDeleteGood for you taking on such an inspiring project. your blog writing really brought it to life for me and I am looking forward to checking in often to learn more.
Keep living life to the fullest you are doing an amazing thing!
Love Aunt Tricia
Thank you for all your support. It is amazing to hear from all of you! A little reminder of home. ..
ReplyDeleteMargaret
Wow. What an experience!
ReplyDeleteI am very curious about how the Israeli Ambassador's wife got so much traction, and seems unlike others in the diplomatic community. Are you getting a chance to interact with her much?
How does Nairobi seem different than Bombay or Delhi?
Keep the posts coming, and much love,
Dad