Interview with Eunice Koth Biro Brothers utilize their Akoth, a young poet passion and talent in who’s performed in art and music to make New York City a living >>> Page 3 >>> Page 8 >>> Page 6 FREE Do not buy hetto Mirror December 2015 G Real life stories from slums ISSUE 24 Ghetto Mirror [email protected] Needy but bright students from Mathare are assisted to secure scholarships by CBO Gallery of Hope NGO helps talented children unable to contin- ue with their ed- ucation achieve their dreams through art. By Shem Wamani In the heart of Mathare slums stands a beau- tiful decorated structure that symbolizes a ray of new hope for young people in the community. Mathare Art Gallery was founded by Razem Pamo- ja Foundation on August 8, 2015. The gallery is barely five months old but its impact has been tremendous. The center, which also doubles as a li- brary displays pieces of artwork hanging on its walls that have been made by youth. The cen- ter teaches drawing, painting, photography, carving and beadwork, among other things. “I joined the Mathare art gallery one week after it opened, during my school break continue on page 5 Photo | Fundacja Razem Pamoja FB SPEAK OUT: Call: Against gender violence Fill forms in the speak-up boxes 0703 445 737 to report any form of gender violence ISSUE 24 Ghetto Mirror | 2 DECEMBER 2015 We welcome letters on topical issues on the stories we publish and comments on [email protected]. TALKING POINT You can also drop them in our offices at Gatwekera near PAG Church. Editor’s Note Preparing for the Holidays ecember always comes with excitement and reflection. Whether it’s relief for the year that is coming to a close or ea- Dgerness for all the new things that the New Year will bring. For us here at Ghetto Mirror, we are excited about both of these things. As we mark our 24th issue, we feel older and wiser after hav- ing learned so much of what defines Ghetto Mirror as a newspaper. An essential factor for us throughout the year has been staying true to our mission, as our name im- plies, to be a reflection of life in the Ghettos of Nairobi. Beyond just fulfilling our mission of reporting on news and stories from slums, our passion rests on bringing to light the stories that most people outside of slums don’t hear about. However, we sometimes get trapped in that popular saying within the media world that states, bad news is good news. But what we have found over the months, is that there will always be an overabundance of good news, and particularly, stories of people achieving their dreams in fairly creative ways. We are so happy that this issue is filled with these stories. There’s Ghetto Classics Orchestra, a group of young musi- cians playing classical music in Korogocho slum and also Platinum, a successful dance crew from Kibera that adapts their performances to their audiences’ preferences. Our main story is about an art cen- ter in Mathare that helps talented children develop their artistry. A highlight of this December issue is the One on One inter- view with Eunice Akoth, an amazing 13-year-old girl from Kibera who’s biggest accomplishment so far has been getting a standing ovation after performing a poem to an audience in New York City. We hope that these stories will warm your heart and in- The good and bad of the festive season spire you to begin the New Year with added confidence to he month of De- see their sales shoot up so fast long been considered the black achieve your dreams. We at Ghetto Mirror wish you all a hap- cember comes py Jamhuri Day, a joyful Christmas and a bountiful New Year! that they start operating in super days of drug abuse for young Tpackaged with a profits. The most common thing people, where drugs, alco- number of holidays. In Kenya bought at Christmas is a new hol, idleness and family issues for example, Christmas, Jam- set of clothes to be worn to the can intermingle in the perfect Quote of the month huri and New Year are some of church service. Not to mention storm. There is probably no the most anticipated holidays of all the food that is bought, from time of the year that can be so the year. As much happiness as chicken to flour for chapatti and filled with mixed feelings for Don’t be pushed by it brings, there’s also a number ugali, almost every major indus- young people and parents alike. of unfortunate things that usu- try gains from the festivities. The influence of seem- ally happen during this month. ingly careless partying and drinking does not help. Many your problems, be led THE GOOD Religious good young girls end up getting preg- nant because of this situation. Improves social connections To many religious peo- by your dreams ple,Christmas’s importance rests In addition to giving peo- more on the religious aspect of Insecurity ple time to relax from long peri- celebrating the birth of Jesus in ods of work and school, Christ- church, than on the indulgence of The pressure to have mas brings families together. the parties. They remember their money for Christmas drives Ralph Waldo Emmerson On Christmas day, songs are religion’s core values and vow unemployed youth to illegal sung, meats are roasted, gifts to be better in the coming year. activities, shop lifting and bur- are exchanged and families re- glary increase during this time. A publication of Shining Hope For united as a massive number of THE ILLS Communities urban dwellers travel to the rural countryside to rejoin with their Road accidents families and friends.Schools and Brings to light the reality of colleges commonly take a longer the economic divide Drunk driv- Editor break at this time, most business- ing increases leading to Liz Mahiri es shut down to give their em- Christmas brings to more road accidents. ployees time off, many families light the often hidden reali- plan trips and get-togethers, and ty of the haves and have-nots. Illustrations some people see the door of a Rich and middle class peo- Financial over Indulgence Dennis Mwanzia church for the first time all year. ple spend tons of money on the celebrations while many poor Over Christmas, peo- and homeless people cannot ple’s rational decision mak- Contributors Increased spending is good for even afford food for the day. ing becomes impaired which Kevin Ochieng’, Dorothy Orinah, Faith Museve, Felix Otieno, economy lead to post new-year regrets. Johnstone Mutua, Brian Okinda, Hurdson Mainye While enjoying this festive Shem Wamani, Paul Owino & Eunice Otieno. Christmas is so big that Young people are more ex- time of year, whether you have it plays a key role in the econ- posed to vices and make more the money to spend or not, re- Technical Assistance omies of many nations. It’s a dire mistakes. member that too much a good massive shopping season and Albanous Gituru thing may become a bad thing. many stores that have been oper- The holidays, particu- E-mail: [email protected] ating at a loss all year suddenly larlythe December one, have Johnstone Mutua ISSUE 24 DECMBER 2015 Ghetto Mirror | 3 one on one EunicE Akoth By Hurdson Mainye Path Appears. This documentary be- people, which one has inspired came popular around the world and you? I was invited to perform the poem Malala, she’s a young a girl who’s Who’s Eunice? at a conference called Women in the fighting for the rights of oth- Eunice is an independent, creative World, which took place in NYC. ers, and this really insipires me. and confident girl who is also a poet. She believes she’s made How was the experience in of greatness and should not be America? Any accomplishments you have defined by her circumstances. (She gives an ear-to-ear smile) made so far? Great! I had the opportunity to visit Yes! I have been able to complete places that I would never imagine. writing my three poems this year, How does it feel like, growing up I got a chance to see the Empire “Agent of Change”, “A Dream of in a slum? State Building which is one of the Many People” and “My Dream”. I was brought up in Kibera in a tallest buildings in NYC. I also got village called Raila. My fami- a chance to meet a lot of important ly has gone through some chal- people like Nicholas Kristof who Do you have any role models? lenges and before I joined Kib- works at the New York Times. I tried Yes! People like Jeff Koinange, Ju- era Schools for Girls (KSG) I did out a lot of new types of food like lie Gichuru and of course Malala. not have any formal schooling. Mexican food, which I liked a lot. While still at home, I used to help my What is your favorite book? mother with various duties to help What was the most outstanding Matilda by Roald Dahl. It ‘s about raise income to fend for the family. experience you had while in the this girl who has magical powers. U.S.A? The best part is that she is given the Eunice Akoth, a 13- year- In the process of trying to help my The standing ovation I received opportunity by one of her teachers, family to make ends meet, SHOF- when I recited my poem at Wom- to be great and she becomes a ge- CO came in and gave me the oppor- en in the World Conference.