Former gang members tackle food insecurity in Nairobi's slums

In 2017, a group of young men in Mathare, one of Nairobi's most impoverished slums in Kenya, decided to change their lives after experiencing personal tragedies related to gang violence. Following the shooting death of a member's brother by police, these individuals realized the dangers of continuing their former gangster lifestyle. They founded Vision Bearerz, an initiative aimed at not only steering youth away from crime but also addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity in their community. This effort is crucial given that about 2 million residents, making up 60% of Nairobi's population, live in informal settlements where lack of infrastructure poses significant challenges. The founders noticed a critical gap in the supply of vegetables in Mathare, prompting them to take action. With permission from local authorities, they transformed a garbage dump into an urban farm where they began growing vegetables and raising livestock. Despite facing tough challenges, such as polluted soil and water rationing, Vision Bearerz thrived, cultivating a variety of crops and even farming tilapia in a pond. The group's earnings also funded the purchase of maize flour and beans, which are used to provide nutritious meals for children in the community each week. The work that Vision Bearerz members do not only contributes to food security but also fosters a sense of hope and purpose within the community. Some residents have begun to view the men as role models, particularly in a society where many boys and young men may easily be drawn into a life of crime. As Ben Njoki, a founding member, stated, their previous way of living was false, and now they are making a positive impact in their community. Another organization, the Human Needs Project, operates in Nairobi's Kibera slum, sharing a similar mission of dissuading youths from criminal activities while addressing food insecurity through urban farming. The initiatives led by these local organizations highlight a growing trend in development work where solutions come from within the community, making it crucial to understand their unique challenges and needs. Jeffrey Okoro, the executive director of CFK Africa, a non-governmental organization that supports these initiatives, emphasized that the future of development relies on locally led organizations like Vision Bearerz which truly understand their communities' needs.