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Pamoja : Together { 12 images } Created 31 Oct 2017

During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined a history of ethnic rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. As a response to the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation, and grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya.
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  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 18, 2011: Idle youth in Kisumundogo village play "Whiteless," a popular billiards game in Kenya, at the former Railbreeze Pub. Once an active bar and restaurant, Railbreeze is now an empty hut in which Kenyan youth play pool to pass the time. <br />
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Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said he sensed “a sea change of attitude” among youths, “a tidal wave below the surface. The youth have woken up.”
    110818_Kibera_Hamlets_©BobMiller_254...jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 28, 2011: A community leader addresses a crowd of predominantly Luo youth at a weekly "kamkunji" in Kisumundogo village. Kamkunji is Swahili for "small gathering," and is a weekly venue for individuals to speak out about issues considered vital to community development. The gathering was started in 1990 when Kenyans were fighting for a multiparty government.<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said he sensed “a sea change of attitude” among youths, “a tidal wave below the surface. The youth have woken up.”
    110828_Kamkunji_©BobMiller_090.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 17, 2011: Youth of the Caribbean “Crew” rest as members wash vehicles for 100 Kenyan shillings. Formerly called Caribbean Youth Group, the organization changed its name to Caribbean Youth Reform after several violent youth in the neighborhood came under their ranks and were "reformed" under their leadership. Begun in 2008 as a result of the post-election violence, the group of youth operate with the goal of uniting the young people of differing tribes. With over 60 members, the group operates a car and carpet washing business as well as manages a weekly garbage collection project through which they clean up neighborhoods, gather manure for compost and sort plastics to sell for income. The group plans to soon build a community toilet and bathroom in the area where the work, and they are also organizing a conflict management and peacekeeping team. Income generated from their activities is consistent but minimal, says acting secretary Abdallah Juma, age 23. Juma says financial instability is the group’s primary hurdle to progress. "We are the founders of this country," he said. "Even without government intervention, we as youth can do it ourselves." The long term goal of the youth group is to see fewer youth unemployed.<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined w
    110817_Kibera_©BobMiller_089.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 17, 2011: Moses Omondi, 30, gathers with friend and Chief Campaign Manager, Joan Limbala, (back) in Kibera. Omondi serves as an elected Youth Leader at the sublocation level for youth in Kisumundogo, one of Kibera's many villages. With Limbala's help, Omondi hopes to be elected to the position of County Representative for Makina County in 2012. If elected, Omondi will represent Kibera as a new constituency before the governor, alongside two to four other representatives.<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said he sensed “a sea change of attitude” among youths, “a tidal wave below the surface. The youth have woken up.”
    110817_Kibera_©BobMiller_100_bw.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 17, 2011: Members of Carrribean Youth Reform wash Matatus off the main road into Kibera. Formerly called Caribbean Youth Group, the organization changed its name to Caribbean Youth Reform after several violent youth in the neighborhood came under their ranks and were "reformed" under their leadership. Begun in 2008 as a result of the post-election violence, the group of youth operate with the goal of uniting the young people of differing tribes. With over 60 members, the group operates a car and carpet washing business as well as manages a weekly garbage collection project through which they clean up neighborhoods, gather manure for compost and sort plastics to sell for income. The group plans to soon build a community toilet and bathroom in the area where the work, and they are also organizing a conflict management and peacekeeping team. Income generated from their activities is consistent but minimal, says acting secretary Abdallah Juma, age 23. Juma says financial instability is the group’s primary hurdle to progress. "We are the founders of this country," he said. "Even without government intervention, we as youth can do it ourselves." The long term goal of the youth group is to see fewer youth unemployed.<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nat
    110817_Kibera_©BobMiller_042.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 17, 2011: Youth worker Moses Omondi teaches young children ages 13-16 about inner peace and responses to violence at a weekly Peace Club meeting at St. Juliet School in Kibera. As a project of Tatua, Peace Club was started in March of 2011 to give Kenyans the tools and knowledge necessary to live at peace within oneself and among others. "We are teaching the young generation about the issues that can disturb peace," said Martin Musambai, a volunteer with Tatua. "They need to know how to safeguard themselves against a life of violence." Peace Club classes are also offered to older adolescents and even adults, focusing more on resolving conflict between others after the fact. "If you target the children, give them the skills, when they are adults they will be able to resolve their own conflicts," Musambai said. Snacks are also provided to the students at each class, said Musambai, citing a common stimulus to violence in Kibera: "Hunger and violence are always synonymous."<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of
    110817_Kibera_©BobMiller_140.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 20, 2011: Members of Carrribean Youth Reform wash Matatus off the main road into Kibera. Formerly called Caribbean Youth Group, the organization changed its name to Caribbean Youth Reform after several violent youth in the neighborhood came under their ranks and were "reformed" under their leadership. Begun in 2008 as a result of the post-election violence, the group of youth operate with the goal of uniting the young people of differing tribes. With over 60 members, the group operates a car and carpet washing business as well as manages a weekly garbage collection project through which they clean up neighborhoods, gather manure for compost and sort plastics to sell for income. The group plans to soon build a community toilet and bathroom in the area where the work, and they are also organizing a conflict management and peacekeeping team. Income generated from their activities is consistent but minimal, says acting secretary Abdallah Juma, age 23. Juma says financial instability is the group’s primary hurdle to progress. "We are the founders of this country," he said. "Even without government intervention, we as youth can do it ourselves." The long term goal of the youth group is to see fewer youth unemployed.<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nat
    110820_Carribean_Group_©BobMiller_21...jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 28, 2011: A crowd of Luo youth listen to exhortations from a community leader in Kisumundogo village during a weekly "kamkunji" gathering. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, many Kenyan youth were killed while carrying out acts of violence on behalf of corrupt Ministers of Parliament. "They have realized that they were used by other people," one Kenyan explained about the youth, "so they've promised to never to do that again. They are the ones who preach peace, because they were most affected."<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said he sensed “a sea change of attitude” among youths, “a tidal wave below the surface. The youth have woken up.”
    110828_Kamkunji_©BobMiller_111.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 28, 2011: Moses Omondi (left) advises his peer Steven Omondi (center) regarding how to gather resources and raise money for Pillars of Kibera, a youth group consisting of performance and spoken word artists who conduct skits to educate people about non-violence. Omondi is an elected Youth Leader at the sub-location level for the youth in Kisumundogo village, and has helped expand the reach of many youth organizations.<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said he sensed “a sea change of attitude” among youths, “a tidal wave below the surface. The youth have woken up.”
    110828_Kamkunji_©BobMiller_160.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 15, 2011: On a plot that was formerly a dump site, the youth of Gange Youth Group have cleared the space to open a car washing business. Gange, which means "hard working," was started in 1996, and was the first youth reform project to take root in Kibera. "We manage to go on with our life" said Rashid Seif, 28, a member of Gange Youth. "For now, we can make peace. We want to be a peacemaker. We must come with our own vision. We have the idea to be stronger than during the last election."<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said he sensed “a sea change of attitude” among youths, “a tidal wave below the surface. The youth have woken up.”
    110815_Kibera_Olympic_157.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 15, 2011: Members of the Gange Youth Self Help Group in Kibera gather trash and transport it to a local dump site four to five times a day to generate income. Gange, which means "hard working," was started in 1996, and was the first youth reform project to take root in Kibera. Rashid Seif, 28, is a member of Gange Youth. "We manage to go on with our life. For now, we can make peace. We want to be a peacemaker. We must come with our own vision. We have the idea to be stronger than last election. In the past election the money was the problem. When you show youth money, you encourage them to do whatever you want. We want the creation of jobs, not just to be given money. We say to the politician, 'We don't want your money, we want job opportunity, job creation.' But the government are not thinking about the youth and the community. They leave the youth struggling in their yards. We struggle with this work."<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger
    110815_Kibera_Olympic_223.jpg
  • NAIROBI, KENYA - AUGUST 27, 2011: A young boy waves the Kenyan flag over the crowd at a Kenyans For Kenya gathering in Uhuru Park near downtown Nairobi. Kenyans For Kenya was organized in 2011 as a way for Kenyans to support those suffering from drought and famine in the eastern part of the country.<br />
<br />
Various grassroots initiatives led by youth have begun to improve the quality of life for those living in the direst of conditions, and young people of different tribes are using gardening, waste removal, education and athletics to encourage their peers toward a self-respecting and self-sustaining community. Termed “youth groups” on the street, these initiatives could represent the future of long-term socioeconomic development in Kenya while laying the groundwork for a more peaceful election in 2013. During the post-election violence of 2007 and 2008, impoverished youth in Kenya were routinely bribed by the nation's political elite to carry out acts of violence in their communities. Idleness among the youth, combined with the nation's history of tribal rivalries, were cited as a key factors to the violence, culminating in the deaths of over 1,200 Kenyans and the displacement of over 600,000. Since the violence, many youth have begun to seize active roles in the reform of their nation. In 2010 United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said he sensed “a sea change of attitude” among youths, “a tidal wave below the surface. The youth have woken up.”
    110827_Moses_©BobMiller_192.jpg