KIBERA IS LOCATED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NAIROBI. IT IS HOME TO OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN AN AREA THE SIZE OF CENTRAL PARK. IT IS THE LARGEST SLUM IN AFRICA AND THE SECOND LARGEST IN THE WORLD.
THERE IS A TRAIN THAT RUNS DIRECTLY THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF KIBERA. IN MANY AREAS IT IS JUST FEET AWAY FROM PEOPLE'S HOMES. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF THE TRAIN DERAILING IN THESE AREAS WITH FATAL CONSEQUENCES.
KIBERA DOES NOT HAVE RUNNING WATER OR A SEWAGE SYSTEM. TRASH AND HUMAN WASTE ARE PILED ON THE SIDE OF ROADS AND IN STREAMS. THESE UNSANITARY CONDITIONS PUT ALL KIBERANS AT HIGH RISK FOR TYPHOID, CHOLERA, DYSENTERY AND OTHER POTENTIALLY FATAL DISEASES.
FAMILIES LIVE UNSTABLE, MUD HUTS WITH CORRUGATED TIN ROOVES, THE SIZE OF A TYPICAL AMERICAN BEDROOM (SOMETIMES SMALLER). THERE IS USUALLY ONLY 1 BED PER HOME, THE CHILDREN SLEEP ON THE FLOOR.
CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MAKE UP 50% OF KIBERA'S POPULATION.
THE KENYAN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE KIBERA. IT IS KNOWN AS AN "INFORMAL SETTLEMENT" AND THEREFORE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT AID SUCH AS EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.
