Trip to Korogocho

With all the media attention and thousands of NGOs, it is easy to forget that Kibera is not the only slum in Nairobi.  Korogocho, which means "crowded shoulder to shoulder" in Kiswahili is estimated to be the third or fourth largest slum in Kenya with a population of 150,000 to 200,000 people living in 1-1.5 square kilometers. It is located about 11 kilometers northeast of Nairobi.  

The slum directly borders Dandora, Nairobi's principal dumping site, which presents concerns of health issues and human rights violations for the slum's residents.  A study by the United Nationals Environment Programme of 328 children and adolescents living and schooling near Dandora found that around 50% had respiratory problems and 30% of them had blood abnormalities that indicated high exposure to heavy-metal poisoning. 

At the same time the dumping site creates opportunities for income generations as both children and adults living nearby scavenge for and resell garbage for a living.

(image source: lightstalkers.org/caroline_kaminju) 

Yesterday was a national holiday in Kenya and children had the day off school so our coaches arranged for all Uweza teams to travel to play with teams from Korogocho.  

The kids, as always, had a great time. The day of matches was a great opportunity for them to get out of Kibera  and it also kept all the kids occupied and busy on their day off from school.

Good Luck on KCSE!!

We want to recognize Dennis Odhiambo (left) and Johnson Musyoka (right), two very dedicated and studious Uweza football players that started their Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E) exams today and will be taking them for the next three weeks. Scores on KCSE play a huge role in determining whether or not a student will be able to continue on to university, which school they can attend, and if they will be able to get loans/scholarships.

Good Luck Dennis and Johnson!

Two Uweza teams bring home trophies!!

Today has been a great day for the Uweza Soccer Program as two of our teams have, for the first time in Uweza history, won first place in a tournament! Three Uweza teams, Under-16 girls, Under-15 boys, and Under-13 boys competed in the annual peace tournament held by Amani Kibera. Amani means peace in Kiswahili and according to their website: "this unique initiative continues to engage young people of different ages, ethnic and religious backgrounds to utilize their diverse sporting and cultural talents to promote peace and inculcate a culture of non-violence." In 2009, Uweza's Under-10 team won third place in the Amani tournament.

Uweza's girls team played great defense and did not allow any goals to be scored against them. They won their final match 1-0. The Uweza Under-15 boys team also played great defense and won every single match they played in penalty kicks. The Under-13 team played great as well but were unfortunately defeated in the semi-finals.



In reward for their victories, both teams won large trophies, 7 pairs of shin guards (an Uweza first!), jerseys for their coaches, and new soccer balls.



The kids were so excited and are preparing tomorrow for a victory parade where they will cheer and carry the trophy from their training ground to the Community Center.

Congratulations Uweza teams!!



More photos from tournament have been posted here: http://uweza.org/gallery/amanitournament.html