Kenya: British High Commission Launches Book on Kibera
By staff writer
Nairobi---The British High Commission on Monday, April 18, hosted the book launch of ‘Koinonia: Self portraits by Nairobi Street Children’ at their premises. The book is a charity publication that documents photographs and drawings made by 21 street boys (aged between 7-14) from Kibera slums in Nairobi. It was initiated with a creative workshop in 2006 conducted by British artist David Fulford in collaboration with the Koinonia Community.
Present at the launch, was UK High Commissioner to Kenya, Rob Macaire, Koinonia Community Director Father Renato Kizito Sesana, Artist David Fulford, members of the press and other distinguished guests.
“Such projects help to bridge the social gaps in society” the UK High Commissioner, Rob Macaire said during his speech at the launch.
The phrase “Images speak a thousand words” was confirmed as the photos exhibition provided a real and honest perspective of the lived experiences of street children who took part in this initiative. The book comprises photographs of situations, artifacts and people, as well as recent written notes made by the boys in 2009 looking back on their images.
In their comments on the book, many of the boys reflected on the Post-Election Violence that rocked the country in 2007-8. Some of the boys compared their lives before and after the violence recalling the shacks that had been burned down, relatives who lost their lives and those who were injured in the attacks.
They was also an additional indoor projection of photographic works made by the current children at Ndugu Mdogo Recue Centre in Kibera, a new initiative launched by Fulford this month.
Fulford said that this was 'the third and most significant book launch', thanking the team that journeyed with him through the 5 year realization of the book.
“The project began here in Kenya and it is important to celebrate this book with all the children who have been involved and for them to have the chance to share their stories with people here in Nairobi,” said Fulford.
"A display of the original mono-print drawings from the book also showed off the boys creative talents," he added.
Similar events have previously taken place at Present London and Partners & Spade New York.
A performance by the rehabilitated street children from Kivuli (Kivuli Acrobats), one of Koinonia’s programs, brought the afternoon ceremony to an end with their energetic and dynamic acrobatic show and traditional African dances.
The book goes for 38.6 US Dollar and the proceeding from the sale of these books will be donated to raise funds for Koinonia Community projects.