Bringing Hope to Kibra, the Largest Slum in Africa

In this article & podcast episode, we share the story of Lydia Muaz, the founder and CEO of Vijana Wetu Initiative. Vijana Wetu Initiative's mission is to help the young boys and girls of Kibra (the largest urban slum in Africa) lead happier and healthier lives through Vijana's presence, programming, education, and mentorship.

Lydia lost three people closest to her due to alcoholism which inspired her to start the organization and make a difference in the lives of these children. Her hope is to end this cycle of children not having anything to do, anywhere to be, and no mentorship in hopes that they will not go down the path that leads to alcoholism and other unhealthy activities.

To listen/watch to the full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.

Kibra is the second largest slum in Nairobi, Africa, with thousands of impoverished families living below the poverty line. The living conditions in Kira are challenging, with houses made of wood or mud, lack of proper roads, and constant threats of floods destroying homes.

The children in Kibra suffer from lack of food, inadequate shelter, and limited access to basic facilities like toilets and bathrooms. Many drop out of school or engage in risky behaviors, such as early pregnancies, due to the desperate circumstances they face. Lydia emphasizes the vulnerable position of the young boys in Kibra, who often spend time idling at a makeshift base near the road, where they may be exposed to drugs and exploitation.

The young girls, on the other hand, may engage in dangerous relationships just for survival. The overall situation in Kibra is dire, with limited opportunities and resources for the residents. The conversation sheds light on the challenges faced by the people of Kibra and the importance of initiatives like Vijana in providing mentorship and support to help these children overcome adversity and achieve success.

Lydia's initiative to provide a safe space for children in her community who are affected by alcohol-related issues. She noticed that when boys start using drugs, they stop going to school and instead spend their time picking plastic or other materials to earn some money. Additionally, their parents, who many times are also alcoholics, do not prioritize their education. Lydia saw the need for a safe space where these children can spend their day instead of roaming around the slum.

Initially, Lydia's program was intended for boys, but girls became interested and joined as well. She saw this as a blessing and developed a separate program for girls. The boys were attracted to Lydia's program through music, as she would play it outside her house. They thought there was a party and joined in. Lydia would provide them with lunch and juice while mentoring them on important life lessons.

However, she soon realized that covering multiple topics in one day was not effective, so she created a module-based program. Each day focused on a specific topic such as safety, first aid, or understanding their bodies. Lydia's intention is for the children to graduate from the program after six months. The program has been successful in attracting children because they know they will have a meal and have fun on Saturdays.

Lydia also makes an effort to celebrate their birthdays and recently took the children to a festival where they were awarded government-made certificates. These certificates are valuable to the children and can be used as proof of their active participation in the festival.

Due to the high number of girls attending, she created a separate program for them. Lydia focuses on teaching the girls about menstrual hygiene and how to avoid getting into trouble with boys. She emphasizes the importance of staying safe and finishing their education before starting a family. Lydia is proud that none of the girls she has worked with have gotten pregnant. She also mentions her intention to hold a purity ball at the end of the year, where girls can make a promise to stay pure and avoid early pregnancies. Lydia hopes to find sponsors to provide gifts for the girls as an incentive. (if YOU want to get engaged, here is one way to!)

To listen/watch to the full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.

-Joseph (with help from ChatGPT!)