Kenya has one of the highest rates of urbanization in the world. Kibera district, located on the fringes of the capital of Nairobi, is considered one of the largest urban 'informal settlements' in Africa. The word 'slum', often used to refer to such settlements, is excluded here as residents say, Kibera is not a ‘slum’, it is their home.
People in Kibera face daily challenges in meeting their basic human needs because of a lack infrastructure and services, including water, electricity, health services, and law enforcement.
In Kibera, a place that many would consider unfit for human habitation, community (jamii in the Kenyan national language of Swahili) is an integral part of survival. Within this strong community each individual has his or her hopes and dreams for an improved life.
The photographs in this series were created in June and July of 2013.