Cleber for President

it was if we were driving in a motorcade, no matter what form of transport, whether taxi, or land rover, Cleber managed a smile and a wave for everyone he passed. It was truly as if he was campaigning for Mr. Kenya. And the most wonderful part is that people waved back. Another defining moment came when we visited the Kiberra slums, which apparently hold a quarter pf Nairobi's inhabitants. And where Uniqueco sources flip flops which clog up the surrounding areas and the paths within the slum. It is located at the base of what once was a thriving Ddm, where a sailing club once flourished and boats could be heard trailing waterskiers. Today it is entirely covered in trach and litter. You traverse the area holding your breath, not necessarily due to the smell but trying to remain light in your feet as you can feel teh ground beneath you swelling as if on a waterbed. Cleber was the pied piper and he engaged with the children as if they were his own to care for and protect. Once he started taking photos he was mobbed and all the children were desperate to see themselves on the "big screen' and to offer themselves, all the while posing and laughing. Anytime Cleber tried to take a serious photo, he would have his posse of children who would line up so very close to the shot that he frequently had about 50 extra arms and legs to maneuver about. I felt very honored to have been allowed to visit the home of these Kenyan's, who although very poor, were extremely generous and kind to us. One family invited me to view teir dinner which had not yet been cooked but consisted of a plate of catfish which I cannot and do not which to know where they caught it. Babies, everywhere, but also plenty of smiles.

We were accompanied by Nadeen, Edward and James, whose brother lived in Kiberra and who led the effort to gather up the thongs. Of which they collect about 600kilos a month. It just goes to show you the extent of this particular pollutant and the importance of uniqueco's work. by no means is this the only pollution that you find lying along the paths and open areas, there are plastic bottles and bags that would literally cause you to stop wanting to use them ever again, I know that I will certainly change my habits in order to eliminate one more plastic bottle landing in a trash heap.

Kiberra was not the only slum that we visited but it certainly stood out as it was most certainly an unfit place for any human to live. Dagareth was another such slum but it resembled more a flea market and the individuals living there were very aggressive and were not amused that Cleber wanted to take photos of their feet nor their stands selling flip flops.

We had one more adventure left before heading home....