Building Community: Jessica Posner at TEDxMileHigh

Summary

This inspiring transcript follows the story of Kennedy Odede, a young man from Kibera, the largest slum in Africa, who overcame incredible odds to pursue education and create positive change within his community. After receiving a scholarship to Wesleyan University, Kennedy, with the help of his friend and partner, launched the first free school for girls in Kibera. The school serves as a catalyst for broader transformation, offering education, health services, and community programs that empower women and girls. Through their efforts, they have made significant strides in improving lives and challenging systemic issues in Kibera, impacting over 30,000 people. The story emphasizes the power of education, community, and the importance of investing in women and girls to create sustainable change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Helena Bowen moved to Kibera, the largest slum in Africa, during her study abroad program in Nairobi.
• 😀 She met Kennedy Odede, a local social activist from Kibera, who aimed to improve his community despite the challenges.
• 😀 Kibera is home to over 1.5 million people with severe lack of basic services like roads, health clinics, and schools.
• 😀 The conditions in Kibera are dire, with high rates of gender violence, HIV, and child mortality.
• 😀 Kennedy started a movement with just 20 cents by buying a soccer ball and bringing young people together to discuss important issues.
• 😀 Kennedy received a scholarship to Wesleyan University, where he graduated with honors and became the class speaker.
• 😀 Kennedy and Helena founded the first free school for girls in Kibera, aiming to provide education and protection from violence.
• 😀 The school empowers girls to take leadership roles and promotes gender equality, with programs like theater, yoga, and gender goals.
• 😀 The school expanded its impact by offering services for the entire community, including health clinics, business training, and HIV prevention.
• 😀 The community also launched initiatives to combat gender-based violence, improve sanitation, and provide access to clean water and technology.
• 😀 The school and its programs are already serving over 30,000 people in Kibera and aim to inspire global change for marginalized communities.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's experience in Kibera, and how did it shape their actions?

The speaker’s experience in Kibera, Africa's largest slum, deeply influenced their decision to help address critical social issues. They were introduced to Kennedy Odede, a social activist from Kibera, and witnessed the extreme poverty, lack of resources, and gender-based violence in the area. This inspired the creation of a free school for girls and broader initiatives to improve the community.

How does the speaker describe life in Kibera, and what are some of the key statistics they share?

Life in Kibera is described as bleak, with over 1.5 million people living without access to basic services like roads, health clinics, sewage systems, or education. Key statistics shared include 66% of girls being forced into survival sex by age 16, one in five children not living to see their fifth birthday, and a life expectancy of 30 years, compared to 60 in other parts of Nairobi.

How did Kennedy Odede begin his movement to improve life in Kibera?

Kennedy Odede began his movement with only 20 cents, which he saved from his factory job. He used this money to buy a soccer ball and bring young people together for discussions on social issues, including gender violence. He also organized theater performances in the streets to raise awareness.

What challenges did Kennedy face when applying to Wesleyan University, and how was he able to attend?

Kennedy was initially discouraged from applying to Wesleyan University because of his lack of formal education. However, the university offered him a full scholarship, allowing him to attend. He graduated with honors and became the class speaker, emphasizing that one's origin does not define their potential.

What was the vision behind starting a school for girls in Kibera, and what impact has it had?

The vision behind starting the school was to provide a high-quality education to marginalized girls in Kibera, offering protection from abuse and a pathway out of poverty. The school aims to empower girls and create future leaders. The school also integrates creativity into learning, fostering an environment where students are encouraged to think critically and develop leadership skills.

What are some of the unique aspects of the school for girls in Kibera?

The school offers a creative and hands-on curriculum, including theater classes, yoga, and community engagement projects. The students, from preschool to higher grades, are actively involved in shaping their community's future by setting goals like ensuring all girls attend school and challenging gender stereotypes.

What additional programs and services were created to support the Kibera community beyond the school?

Beyond the school, several programs were launched, including savings and loan programs, a community health clinic offering HIV prevention and treatment, a peer educator program, and a community committee dedicated to ending gender-based violence. They also started a cybercafe for skills development, a group for women living with HIV, and a clean water tower serving thousands of people.

How did the community respond to the issue of gender-based violence, and what actions were taken?

In response to gender-based violence, a father whose daughter was raped initiated a community committee to address the issue. The committee works as first responders to gender violence cases, providing legal, medical, and psychological support to victims. The team has successfully worked on over 40 cases, creating a supportive environment for victims.

What are some of the accomplishments of the initiatives in Kibera so far?

The initiatives in Kibera have led to significant accomplishments, including building the slum's largest clean water tower, installing toilets throughout the area with signs that say 'Donated by the Kibera School for Girls,' and serving over 30,000 people with various services. The movement has also inspired local community members to take ownership of their environment, such as cleaning the community and supporting local businesses.

What is the speaker's personal connection to the work being done in Kibera, and what is their future vision?

The speaker is personally connected to the work in Kibera through their relationship with Kennedy Odede, whom they are marrying. They share a vision of expanding the impact of their work in Kibera to other communities around the world, advocating for systemic change in slums and emphasizing that global issues, like those in Nairobi, affect everyone.