african slums

Street Boys

by

We also encounter street boys making their own fun with whatever they can find.

A one man one-stop shop

by

As we make our way onto the street, we run across this vendor pushing his handcart loaded with an improbable array of wares.

An inspiring Motto

by

Scrawled on a crossbeam in the Good Samaritan orphanage is this inspiring motto: “Never lose hope in life.” Despite all its travails, Mathare is a place where people hang onto hope, sometimes desperately, sometimes by a gossamer thread. As John has told me, it is not a lack of material or financial resources that is … Read More

It’s never too early for Christmas

by

Before John and I left the orphanage, we went up to the playroom to see what the little ones were up to. As you can see, John was a big hit. Even though it was July, one anxious youngster decided to get prepared early for Christmas.

The Kitchen

by

Let’s go into Good Samaritan’s kitchen and see what the older kids are preparing.

Boys’ Dormitory

by

John and I visited the dorm in which he slept for many years. As John is telling me stories of his time in the orphanage, we’ve attracted a crowd of current residents.

It’s Bath Time

by

John would bathe and wash his clothes in this river adjacent to Mathare and just below the Thika Rd. expressway.

Foul Broth

by

Daring boys like John, wade into the foul Mathare River to scoop up metal scraps using a magnet tied to a string.