‘PUSHING THE WEEK’ AN ETHNOGRAPHY ON THE DYNAMICS OF IMPROVING LIFE IN KIBERA: THE INTERPLAY OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCES THESIS MSC DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL INNOVATION WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH CENTRE THE NETHERLANDS KEYWORDS SLUM, NGO’S, UPGRADING, GRASSROOTS, UPWARD MOBILITY, IMPROVEMENT, AGENCY, INFORMALITY, TRIBALISM, SPATIALITY, ETHNOGRAPHY STUDENT EVA VAN IWAARDEN STUDENT NUMBER 870712-383060
[email protected] SUPERVISOR DR. B.J. JANSEN SOCIOLOGY OF DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE
[email protected] ABSTRACT The title of this research starts with ‘pushing the week’. This is the translation of the most eaten vegetable in Kenya and Kibera, a kale by the name of ‘sukuma wiki’ in Swahili. As this research progressed and life in Kibera was examined more closely, it seems that language around life and living in Kibera can be seen closely related to the name of this vegetable that is eaten almost every day. ‘We are just pushing ahead in life, another week, lets see where it takes us’. No matter what is written down about life in Kibera, another week starts, and another one, and another one… This research examines how women living in Kibera perceive improvement of life in Kibera. This topic is very dynamic, broad and has many ways in which it can be approached. It is impossible to merely ask some questions and draw conclusions about a space so dynamic and a population in all its diversity. As most slums worldwide, Kibera is a popular place for organisations to lend a helping hand, where community initiatives are plenty and where slum upgrading programs are implemented.