Nihar Suthar - The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community

Nihar Suthar is a writer covering inspirational stories throughout the world. He is the author of Win No Matter What, a guide on how to increase your engagement in daily activities, as well as The Corridor of Uncertainty, a heartwarming narrative following players from Afghanistans national cricket team as they attempt to mend their country with peace. Suthar graduated from Cornell University and lives in Tampa, Florida.

Suthars gift for inspirational storytelling and the courageous visionaries he meets in Korogocho should raise hope in all of us.Tim Crothers, author ofThe Queen of Katwe

The Hope Raisers is a deeply uplifting story that needs to be told. Daniel, Mutura, and Lucys journeys demonstrate first-hand the magnitude of the impact we can create by working together, strengthening the solidarities among global citizens in the quest for humanity of the planet.Willy Mutunga, chief justice and president of the Supreme Court, Republic of Kenya, 20112016

An undeniably compelling story of the incredible power of young people. Nihar Suthars book not only celebrates the Hope Raisers, a group of young Kenyans transforming their community, but also inspires all of us who seek to make an impact and contribute to progress in our communities. A mustread book.Raphael Obonyo, public policy analyst and expert with the United Nations

This story portrays the real-life struggles of so many and is an exact representation of the mood of most days in this part of Africa. Its left me motivated to do everything I can to create change and assist in empowering those who need help. This story truly is a deep representation of this side of life.Mercy Masika, award-winning songwriter and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador

Published by Rowman & Littlefield

An imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706

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Copyright 2022 by Nihar Suthar

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Available

ISBN 978-1-5381-6873-8 (cloth : alk. paper) |

ISBN 978-1-5381-6874-5 (epub)

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

To my guru Mahant Swami Maharaj,

who taught me that changing the world

starts with simply believing you can.

ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS IM ASKED WHEN I SPEAK TO anyone about the Hope Raisers is, How did you discover their story?

In 2017, I was lucky enough to stumble upon a short article about the skating team in Quartz Africa written by Ariel Zirulnick. I owe her a deep thank-you for both intriguing me and inspiring me to learn more.

Soon thereafter, I was able to connect with Daniel Onyango and Mutura Kuria over the phone, who invited me to visit Korogocho. I took them up on the offer and knew a day after arriving that the story of the Hope Raisers was much deeper than just an article. I needed to write a book.

Since then, Ive had the fortune of returning to Korogocho numerous times. During each trip, Daniel and Mutura have spent countless hours coordinating logistics, organizing interviews, and sharing intricate details of their own experiences. Writing this book would not have been possible without their help.

I also cant thank Lucy Achieng, Chumbana Omari, Jack-line Auma, Mama Bonie, Kelvin Owino, and Charles Chege enough for their time participating in interviews and warm hospitality. Ill never forget it.

Throughout the entirety of this project, I was lucky to be surrounded by a phenomenal team that believed in its impact. Id like to express my appreciation to my agent, Anne Devlin; my editor, Richard Lynch; and the entire team at Rowman & Littlefield for helping me bring this book to life with utmost quality.

Finally, I owe a great deal of gratitude to my own family and close friends for their never-ending support and sacrifices during the four years I was intensely concentrated on writing and traveling to Kenya, whether mentally or physically.

Korogocho was all I knew. I had no idea that life was different outside the slum. I assumed that the rest of the world was as dark as Korogocho.

MUTURA KURIA

Everything used to be so bad in Korogocho. People murdered each other. Kids took knives when they went to school. You could not even walk on the streets without getting mugged. I thank God for somehow allowing me to raise five kids here. There were times I thought we would not make it. Many days I did not even have enough money to buy food for my kids. Thank God we survived.

MAMA BONIE (MUTURAS MOTHER)

My dad works as a factory laborer in the industrial area of Nairobi. He walks 9 kilometers [5.6 miles] between Korogocho and his job in Nairobi every day. It takes him two hours one way. He is one of the lucky ones who is employed.

DANIEL ONYANGO

A lot of girls here engage in prostitution. If they need money but cant find a way to get it, then they go to gangsters who can give it to them. They give their bodies to the guys who have good money.

LUCY ACHIENG

Rent in Korogocho is very expensive. I think people here are good-hearted, but because they cannot afford things like rent, they become thieves. I see them steal purses and rip necklaces from peoples necks all the time.

CHUMBANA OMARI

When I first came to Korogocho in 1993, I had no job. There was no security either. Once, thieves came into my house and stole everything I owned. Living here was so difficult that I would desperately pray I made it through each day.

JACKLINE AUMA (CHUMBANAS MOTHER)

Trash pickers dig through heaps of garbage at the Dandora dumpsite, hoping to find enough food for their families or recyclables they can resell. COURTESY OF KATHARINA ELLEKE

A YELLOW DUMP TRUCK BUMPED TOWARD THE EAST OF NAIrobi, leaving billowing clouds of dust in its wake. Below the windshield, a black grille prominently displayed Auman, the name of the trucks Chinese manufacturer. Ironically, the proud name hung on a vehicle that was nothing to brag about. One of the headlights was shattered. The solid metal bumper was somehow mangled, giving off a presence of having emerged from war. Raw waste piled high in the truck bed oozed, leaving ugly brown streaks flowing down the side panels. Three Kenyan men, dressed in tar-ridden jeans and torn collared shirts, sat on top of the mound like kings. They wore cheap cotton hats to combat the sharp wind that pierced through them. The intensity of the slight chill in the air increased as the truck merged onto a highway and picked up speed.