Lecture Notes: Helena Bowen on Kibera and Social Activism

Introduction

• Helena Bowen shares her experience living in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa, while studying abroad in Nairobi.
• Introduces Kennedy Odede, a local social activist from Kibera.

Overview of Kibera

• Size: Comparable to Central Park
• Population: Over 1.5 million people
• Lack of basic services: No roads, health clinics, sewage systems, or access to education
• Key Statistics:
  • 66% of girls trade bodies for food by age 16.
  • 1 in 5 children die before age 5.
  • Life expectancy: 30 years (vs. 60 years in the rest of Nairobi).

Kennedy's Journey

• Kennedy was the oldest of eight, born to a mother who was 15 at his birth.
• Worked in a factory earning $1/day—considered lucky.
• Saved 20 cents to start a movement with a soccer ball, focusing on community issues including gender violence.

Education and Empowerment

• Kennedy's dream: Change his community through education.
• He was accepted to Wesleyan University on a full scholarship and graduated recently as class speaker.
• Emphasizes that background does not dictate future potential.

Initiatives Launched

• Together with Kennedy, Bowen started the first free school for girls in Kibera.
• Goals of the school:
  • Serve marginalized and at-risk girls.
  • Provide superior education to protect against violence and create leaders.
• Curriculum:
  • Includes creative classes like theater and yoga.
  • Encourages girls to set community goals (e.g., gender equality).

Community Engagement

• Idea to change community perceptions of girls' education:
  • Build essential services connected to the school that benefit the entire community.
• Launched various programs:
  • Parent classes & savings programs: Empower families to start businesses.
  • Community health clinic: Focus on primary health care and women's health.
  • Peer educator program: Young people educate their peers on community issues.
  • Community centers: Address various demographic needs.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

• Started a committee after a violent incident involving a student.
• Focused on advocacy and support for victims of gender-based violence.
• Successful in handling over 40 cases this year.

Additional Community Services

• Cybercafe: High-speed internet access for skill development.
• Programs for women living with HIV: Skills training and product sales.
• Community clean-up initiatives: Encouraging local action for improvement.
• Clean water tower: Providing safe drinking water for over 10,000 people.
• Toilets: Marked with contributions from the Kibera School for Girls.

Impact and Future Plans

• Services projected to reach over 30,000 people in Kibera this year.
• Feedback from students led to plans for adult education classes.

Conclusion

• Bowen announces her upcoming marriage to Kennedy.
• Calls for global awareness and support for slum communities.
• Emphasizes interconnectedness and the importance of collective action.
• Encourages audience to visit their website for involvement.

• Key Takeaway: Investing in girls is crucial for community transformation.
• Action Point: Join the movement for change.