Christ’s Gospel brings hope to children of Kibera

By Dave Koy

Some of their schools stand on former garbage-dumping sites for the city.  The tin-roof shacks they call home are often washed away by floods caused by the country’s frequent, heavy rainfalls.  The stench of rotting garbage, sewage and burning charcoal often pervade their senses.  Disease, hunger and poverty are daily companions.  Conditions considered absolutely deplorable by American standards are accepted as a way of life by the children of Kibera, Kenya, Africa’s 2nd largest slum area.  It was to this city of one million plus people, living in the worst imaginable poverty, that a 23-member team from Athletes in Action (AIA) brought God’s message of love and hope this past summer.

Johnstone Makabwa, principal of Kibera’s Soweto Academy high school, welcomed the AIA missionary team with open arms. “I knew the Spirit of God had to move on your hearts in order to bring you here,” he said.  “Because when people hear the name Kibera, they won’t come.”    But come they did, 13 men and 9 women, bringing the African people medical supplies, school books, socks, Bibles, sports equipment and the assurance that God loved them and had a plan for their lives. 

The 23-member team was comprised of both AIA staff members and volunteers from several states.   Each person was assigned a particular task within a smaller team.  Each team held their own daily activities, incorporating Jesus Christ and the Bible into their sessions.

Musicians John Olson and Zak and Becky Alwin, from Plover, Wisconsin, were first time volunteer missionaries to Kibera. “We had prepared ourselves to see extreme poverty and poor living conditions,” said Becky.  “But what we saw were living conditions beyond anything we could have imagined.”

The Alwins found Kibera to be a land of many contrasts.   While it seemed logical to see the defeated and empty look on the faces of the adult natives, they were surprised to see children rushing to meet them, their faces filled with hope and joy. “The only hope most Kibera adults have is that their children will have a better life than theirs,” said Zak. “Our mission team was there to help fulfill that dream.”

The AIA music team featured Zak on guitar, John Olson on drums and Becky as vocalist.  Monday – Wednesday the team held separate music classes for pre-school, middle school and high school students, averaging between 100 – 150 children per class.  Thursday was concert day when AIA members combined with local residents to praise and worship Jesus Christ in song, dance and drama skits.  “We were all brothers and sisters in Christ worshipping together,” acknowledged Becky.

Shortly after their arrival the music team made their way to one of the area churches. “We arrived at a hill that looked down into the village,” said Becky.  “Below us we saw a stark picture of their poverty.  It was unbelievable.” Expecting to hear church music reflecting sadness, sorrow and defeat, it was the sound of joy and hope that greeted their ears.  In the midst of their poverty and poor living conditions the people of Kibera could still sing of God’s goodness and their faith in Jesus Christ. “They are an extraordinary people with tremendous faith,” exclaimed Becky.  “Zak and I shared some of the most moving worship time we ever experienced right there in the slums and poverty of Africa,” she added.

AIA Director Eric Nelson and his men’s basketball team held a series of basketball clinics for the area’s African athletes and their coaches.  Eager to learn, the Kibera players provided some lively competition during basketball scrimmages.  Assorted sports equipment and Bibles distributed to the African players and coaches were all greatly appreciated.  “Our team was privileged to be part of a life changing experience in many areas,” said Eric.  “Not only was there great inroads and ministry to the elite level basketball community in Kenya, but the impact on every person on our team will lead to Christ being made known at their schools and communities here in the U.S.”

Eric’s wife April, was part of a women’s humanitarian team that provided information in matters of health, hygiene, and the causes and prevention of the HIV AIDS virus.  AIDS is only one of many diseases confronting the African people in Kibera.  Others include cholera, malaria, and “miners lung disease.”  One of the few resources found in Kibera is red-brick charcoal, used by the people for cooking, heating, pottery making, etc.  Unfortunately, breathing the charcoal fumes over a long period of time often leads to a condition known as  “miners lung disease,” adding to the population’s  health concerns, often resulting in death.
The majority of schools in Kibera are crudely constructed, the classrooms small, narrow and overcrowded, with poor or no lighting.  Schools in Kibera receive no federal funding; consequently supplies and resources are limited.  “I can walk into a Wal-Mart store anywhere and get anything I want,” said Zak. “The people in Kibera can’t do that.” Books and school supplies distributed by the AIA Team were actually considered blessings from God by some. “They look at things so differently,” said Zak.  “We see the provision; they see the Provider.” 

Despite their poverty, Kibera is making great strides in educating their children, even to the point of winning special Kenya given awards.  “They want all their children to excel,” said Becky.  “Not just a select few.” Nearly forty percent of the children are orphans, many having been raised in nearby slums.  Their teachers come from both inside and outside Kibera; all are volunteers, all are African and all must meet high standards of teaching.  “We saw no “Muzungo” (white) teachers in Kibera,” said Zak.  One of the male teachers, they were told, was abandoned at age six, and lived under a bridge until a pastor found him, took him in and helped with his education.  Now, at age 25, that teacher has become an elementary school principal.

One of the highlights of their trip for Becky occurred when a male teacher approached the AIA music team and gave them a song he had written especially for them titled, “I didn’t know.”  “This is the first time I interacted with Americans,” he declared.  “I didn’t know you could be that humble and helpful.  The media portrays you much differently.” Several high school students also wrote songs for the American music team.  “I was really touched by it all,” said Becky.

Another heartfelt moment occurred when a small Kiberian girl was seen standing outside a local church crying.  “Why is she crying?” asked AIA’s 17 year old Katie Nelson.  “Because she is hungry,” came the reply.   Katie found some snacks in Becky’s backpack and gave them to the crying tot.

Their stay in Africa’s second largest slum area was relatively brief.  But in the allotted time they had the AIA Team from the U.S. heartland accomplished what had they set out to do; offering hope and encouragement, providing school and medical supplies, distributing socks and Bibles and re-assuring one and all that their Creator truly cared about them.  “We made so many friends there,” said Zak. “ We definitely want to go back.”

When the AIA Team arrived in Kibera they discovered people living in a land permeated with the smell of burning charcoal, rotting garbage, and open sewage.  They departed Kibera knowing they were leaving the land and their newfound friends with the fresh aroma and fragrance of Jesus Christ, and the promise and hope for a better tomorrow.

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Plans are presently under way for a return trip to Kibera by the Athletes in Action Team.  For information on how you can help the AIA Team bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Kibera contact their web site at www.rhymzsuhreal.com. 

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