In the summer of 2023, a chance encounter with someone who had recently visited Nairobi led us to discover a children’s home in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum.
We were shown captivating photos of the children and young students there and their artwork, and were told about the challenges facing all children in the poverty-stricken slum.
Moved by what we saw and heard, we traveled to Nairobi, to meet these amazing kids, that were full of creativity and joy despite their difficult lives.
This inspiration led to the creation of Brushes of Hope with the commitment to help support young artists in Kibera, as well as other slums within Nairobi.
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Arriving at Kibera Pride with a suitcase full of acrylic paint to support their artistic endeavors, we were greeted with warmth and affection. Contrary to our expectations, the slum was not a miserable place, but a vibrant and resilient community filled with positivity and courage
But, the reality of their living conditions, in stark difference to ours, hit us hard. We witnessed firsthand their lack of basic needs that we often take for granted and that should be a universal right to all yet are denied to the children at Kibera Pride.
However, their joy and creativity remain undiminished and we were deeply moved by this, moved by their unwavering spirit and by their resilience amidst such challenging circumstances.
The generosity they extended to us was beyond words, as was their appreciation of our prolonged many visits, something not common in their environment where most well-wishers often only spend a day. Having quality time with them all has allowed us to forge strong connections and friendships.
However, in our subsequent visits, as we grew closer to them, other additional needs were brought to our attention, prompting us to also include them in our calls for help and action.
We realized that we needed to go beyond just selling their artworks , but to also look for potential donors to sponsor the education of individual children who are not at school and to solicit other donations to help finance basic needs such as rent, running costs, food and health care.
We also realized that our support needs to go beyond financial assistance; they need to be shown that people care. They yearn to be connected to the world beyond the confines of the slum. By telling their stories and by marketing their art, not only do we give them this voice but also provide them with opportunities to thrive,
We are therefore compelled to share their story, but not to elicit pity, but to ignite compassion and inspire action.
The spirit and determination of Kibera Pride’s children and students is truly inspiring and as we continue to support them and advocate for their rights, we hope to inspire others to also make a difference in their lives.
Our visits to Kibera Pride Children’s Home have been incredibly transformative, enriching, and educational, and we feel humbled and grateful for this opportunity.
We therefore extend our deepest thanks to the Kibera children, young adults and of course Irene, the founder, for allowing us to be part of their journey and family.
