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At 7,000 ft above sea level, the Ngong Hills in Kenya are lush, beautiful, desirable and expensive land. Some people are familiar with scenes of the Rift Valley and the Ngong Hills from the movie Out of Africa. Of course, the reason for the lush green is the cold and damp climate, which is particularly true at night. In Ngong’s horrific dilapidated Rongai slums this just adds to the sense of misery. For the Maasai mothers and their children living in down in the Rift Valley, who want a literacy training and to expand their goat-sharing business, the harsh dry climate is just one component in their harsh reality. This is where you’ll also find Grace Kingatua, the farm she and her husband run, and the children they care for.
Rongai slum in Ngong has a population of about 40,000. Give Us Wings is working in a small part of the slum, often referred to as the Stone Slums. The windowless houses are made of stone, measure about 6 x 9 ft, and the roof is so low it is impossible to stand up straight. There is a curtain for door, which offers no sense of security. One of the most striking images is a large pile of stones, where a house once was, signifying that the last person in that family has died. Many of the people in the slums are women ages 20-40 yrs old. They’ve come there after they’ve been widowed or abandoned, to if they can make a living. Majority are single women households. There are tragic cases of alcoholism, domestic abuse and violence. Ngong is connected to Nairobi. Housing there is middle class—so women from the slums might get a job in Nairobi as a day servant, cleaning for a whole day and make $1.00. On a “good” week they might work 2 or 3 times a week. Ngong is an urban area, with no place to farm. The area is saturated with small markets, so the real possibility or opportunity for business start up is quite limited. Hence, Give Us Wings is working with them to develop a unique product. From the Rongai Slums driving south for 1 ½ hours on very rough roads you would reach the dry Rift Valley. Drought is a huge problem, and as the women struggle to earn a living, many are left hungry as their crops fail. |
