Zion is a “base” located in the slums of Kawangware, Nairobi. “A base” the a place where a group of street children gather and for a gang. Together they have a better chance of avoiding and fighting off hostile outsiders and have some hope of spending their nights in relative peace. A project for street children run by Fida and it’s Kenyan local partner, Full Gospel Church of Kenya, works towards improving the lives of the children of Zion and given them at least a glimpse of hope for the future. (Photo taken by Hannu Happonen)
Siion on “tukikohta”, joka sijaitsee Kawangwaren slummissa, Nairobissa. “Tukikohta” on paikka jonne ryhmä katu lapsia kokoontuu ja muodostaa jengin. Yhdessä heillä on parempi mahdollisuus vältellä ja vastustaa ulkopuolisten väkivaltaa ja siellä heillä on jonkunlainen toivo siitä, että saisivat viettää yönsä ainakin suhteellisen rauhassa. Fida, yhdessä kenialaisen paikallisen kumppaninsa (Full Gospel Church of Kenya) kanssa vetää katulapsiprojektia, joka pyrkii parantamaan Siion lasten elämää ja antamaan heillä edes pientä toivon kipinää tulevaisuudesta. (Kuvannut Hannu Happonen)
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Zion looks more like a garbage dump than anything else. That is because it is a garbage dump. The children spend their nights literally sleeping on a pile of mud. Sometimes, if they are lucky, they might have some piece of plastic or rag to cover themselves with if it starts raining. (Photo taken by Hannu Happonen)
Siion näyttää enemmän kaatopaikalta, kuin miltään muulta. Se johtuu siitä, että se on kaatopaikka. Lapset viettävät yönsä kirjaimellisesti mudassa maaten. Joskus, jos he ovat onnekkaita, heillä voi olla palana muovia tai kangasta, jolla he voivat peittaa itsensä siltä varalta, jos yöllä sattuu satamaan. (Kuvannut Hannu Happonen)
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In order to get through the days, weeks, months and years, the children spend much of their time sniffing glue. Sniffing glue helps them to become numb to the cold, pain and loniness that fills their lives. (Photo taken by Hannu Happonen)
Lapset imppaavat usein paljon liimaa, jotta saisivat päivät, viikot, kuukaudet ja vuodet kulumaan. Silloin on on “liimäpöllyissä” turtuu kaikelle sille kylmälle, kivulle ja yksinäisyydelle mitkä täyttävät näiden lasten elämät. (Kuvannut Hannu Happonen)
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I wonder how old this little boy is. Probably under ten years old. Maybe eight? Or even less. (Photo taken by Hannu Happonen)
Kuinkakohan vanha tämä pieni poika on? Varmaan alle kymmenen vuotias. Ehkä kahdeksan? Tai jopa nuorempi. (Kuvannut Hannu Happonen)
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There is hope for the children of Zion. This boy is called Nixon. He has managed to find his way out of Zion with the help of the street children project. Currently, he is healthy and happy, studying in private boarding school outside of Nairobi, with a bright future ahead of him. He says he would like to become a pilot. Once again, I am reminded of the reason why we are in Africa for. (Photo taken by Sami Konttinen)
Siion lapsillekin on toivoa. Tämän pojan nimi on Nixon. Hän on onnistunut löytämään tiensä ulos Siionista katulapsiprojektin avulla. Nykyään hän on terve ja onnellinen. Hän käy koulua Nairobin ulkopuolella sijaitsevassa sisäoppilaitoksessa. Kaikki tulevaisuuden ovet ovat hänelle vielä avoinna. Hän itse sanoo, että hän haluaa isona lentäjäksi. Jälleen kerran saan muistutuksen siitä minkä vuoksi olemme Afrikassa. (Kuvannut Sami Konttinen)
It’s hard to look at these pictures and think on all you told us about the lives of these children. The holiness of the pure and clean soul God has created in babes is an abomination to the enemy. He must start so early to destroy the cleanliness and clarity of hearts of children everywhere. Here it is just so poignent.
Hope of the future is in the hands of all children. It feels like this hope is the last great frontier, the holy grail of my spiritual calling. How to find and keep the peace of God and purity of spirit needed to protect and love them and re-introduce them to the Lord….to Him who knows every hair on their head and dream in their hearts. Of all of us, all over the world.
We love you and May God Bless,
Mami
Tällaisten kuvien ja tekstien jälkeen ei oikein voi muuta kuin rukoilla lisää työntekijöitä ja lähettäjiä.. Kiitos Herralle tästä työstä, jonka kautta Nixon ja muut saavat uuden elämän nyt maan päällä ja myöhemmin taivaassa. Voimia ja siunausta työhönne ja arkeenne!
Magnificently touching images!
Slums and extreme polarisation are indeed the curses of urbanised development. Absence of slums is the positive side of Tanzania, which is further back in development but their occurrence is a certain future development especially in the western outskirts of Dar es Salaam.
When you come over we should visit some slums of Cairo such as the garbage collectors city (2 million people, cristian) or Imbaba (5 million people, muslim). All of Cairo’s garbage goes to ‘garbage collectors city’ where these people live of the junk by recycling it. Religion banns Muslims from doing this filthy job. This horrendous scenery will make a lovely contrast in Cairo to the worlds trendiest Buddha-bar, Hard Rock Café, etc.
Unfortunately it seems that children of Zion will increase in numbers around the world.
Other than that, we just got back from Lebanon at the beginning of the week before it went up. Hezbollah had already brought in young men from Syria with guns. Everyone had a gun and I even had a chance to shoot some home shotguns (birds not other religious fractions) in a Northern Christian village where we stayed in a local home of a friend. The atmosphere was very intense. Went to Lebanon through Syria and Jordan, and flew out from the airport which is now closed by Hezbollah. I’ll send some pictures…
Interesting times for Chelsea fan: after a slow start to the season it looks like we are challenging the titles… Have you had a change Danny to watch any football?
Anyhow, keep it real and give extra hugs to yourselves, each others and to my darling Benjamin and Daniella…
Alussa katsoin että onpa benjyn kengät päässeet huonoon kuntoon…
Hello Uncle Sami! Thanks for the comments. Yes, I have been able to watch many of the soccer games. I am happy to see that we have a race to the very finish for both the title and the relegation. Good stuff! Unfortunately, I will miss the final games on Sunday. But will definately be in front of a TV for the Champions League final. It will be interesting to see whether they split the trophies or if one robs the other of all glory. Love, D
hello!i ve loved yo work!and keep it up!
we need to let the world know how african is and if you put stuff like this?then yeah they will know wat it africa!
thanx!ur welcome to my myspace base.