Slum Survivors was released earlier this week by IRIN. The film is the first full length documentary produced by IRIN, the documentary tells the stories of some of Kibera, in Nairobi, Kenyan, Africa's largest slum with a population around one million.
While the documentary does not focus on children specifically, it does share the stories of some children, however it is easy to quickly grasp the harsh reality that awaits any child who is born in to the Kibera slums. A child born into the slums endures a life in imprisoned by poverty, and with education as little more than a dream, escape for most is highly unlikely. In this world of daily survival, girls face even greater hardship, as gender inequality runs rampant.
"My dad wants everyone to drop out of school. He complains that he has no money, or that he's sick I don't know I don't know why he doesn't want us to learn." – Christina, 17
Christina's father was even more adamant about the money for education not being wasted on her, as she is a girl! Sadly Christina is not alone. It is situations like Christina's and a life living in the Kibera, watching it grow out of control, as even more rural migration has expanded the settlement, which caused Abdul Kassim, to establish a secondary school for girls. Abdul rightfully fears that the situation in the slums is only going to get worse, as it continues to grow, and continues to be ignored.
"I don't see why people are living the way they are living in Kibera, or in any other slums, there is no reason – there is no justification. And in Kibera if this issue is not handled at some time this problem is going to come knocking at people's doors – and those who think it's not their problem might be surprised one day when this problem comes knocking at their door."
Children in the slums are ripe for abuse, and they face nothing but hardship after hardship. With a lack of proper nutrition, plumbing and clean water, children are at high risk for diseases such as malaria, cholera, and typhoid. Many children are abused, The number of orphans, and specifically AIDs orphans in Kibera is high, leaving many live alone or to live amongst other youths. All the children in Kibera spend their lives in fear and desperation. Solvent abuse, such as sniffing glue, is wide spread, and many children steal and pick-pocket the Nairobi streets, just to have a few shillings to get food.
Links:
Kibera Slum Foundation
