The Project
Africa. Backpack, camera and voice recorder in hands. Wide open eyes to observe what happens in the continent. The proposal is to travel for about three months, exposing myself to different realities and field researches within the areas of social development, poverty and slums. After the experience in India, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan, it is time to explore the African continent for further learning in these areas before returning to Brazil. The countries were chosen according to some criteria that will be exposed throughout the project, but the main goal is to understand - and share - different expressions of poverty and social development.
The main goal of this whole trip (which will soon complete one year) was always learning: to experience several different manifestations of poverty and social sector initiatives in the call (whether public, private, governmental and non-community and so on). More important than the textual production and collection of photos here produced, I expect to raise awareness that we possess the means necessary to eradicate the most diverse expression of poverty and social inequality. Through examples and exposition of the different realities of the African continent, I also expect to, not only expose problems whose solutions already exist, but open an opportunity to connect these regions with new solutions. What we often lack is focus. The very direction of our abilities and capabilities to build a more just world sometimes is the missing key factor.
Leaving Israel, the beginning of this journey will be through Egypt, known for pyramids and tourism, but also famous for the high rates of poverty and a miserable population in various parts of the country. Tourism in the region often hides a reality that I would like to find out. Of Egypt, still do not know if I will make the crossing by land or air, after all, will have to assess the feasibility of crossing the Sudan - North and South - to reach Ethiopia.
The idea is to explore Addis Ababa, the largest "city-slum" in the world and its most famous slum, Kechene. Then an opportunity to meet Meke'le, a member of the Millennium Cities Initiative of the UN (MCI - Millennium Cities Initiative)
From the horn of Africa, the priority is to get to know Kenya. Kibera, in Nairobi, the largest slum in the continent, is my main focus, through organizations like the Shining Hope for Communities and the national program KenSup (Kenyan Slum Upgrading Program). Then, to understand the operation of another MCI, Kisumu, located as close to Lake Victoria.The most likely route includes a visit to the coastal city of Mombasa, towards Tanzania.From the coast, reach to Dar el Salaam, the Tanzanian capital, to explore a bit of urban life, and a visit to Zanzibar to understand different urban development initiative. Then go out into the countryside of Hemagoma to learn and contribute to a project of agricultural education called Magoma, based within an organization called 2Seeds.
The possibility of going through another MCI, Tabora in western Tanzania would be a smart option to get around Lake Victoria towards Uganda, or the city of Arusha, where there are other contacts with the municipality that can bring an interesting learning. Then, Uganda raises again the opportunity to observe urban poverty in regions like Kawempe slum in the capital Kampala. It is also an opportunity to meet an art education project called Muse Uganda, an educational project in the slum of Namuwongo, with Little Light Children's Center and experience the north face of Lake Victoria.
Of course, being there, I would like to include the possibility of stepping through Burundi, Malawi and Rwanda. But these are not priorities for now. Southern Sudan interests me quite a lot, but I would only visit the newest country in the world if I find a safe contact to show me around.
(It is worth noting the immense possibility of changes of plan along the way)
Initiatives (to be constantly updated):
2Seeds - Tanzânia
MCI - Kisumo, Quênia e; Tabora, Tanzânia
UN-Habitat
Solar Sister - Uganda
Shining Hope for Communities in Kibera, Quênia
KenSup - Kenya
Sisi Ni Amani (Peace building), Quênia
Muse Uganda
The main goal of this whole trip (which will soon complete one year) was always learning: to experience several different manifestations of poverty and social sector initiatives in the call (whether public, private, governmental and non-community and so on). More important than the textual production and collection of photos here produced, I expect to raise awareness that we possess the means necessary to eradicate the most diverse expression of poverty and social inequality. Through examples and exposition of the different realities of the African continent, I also expect to, not only expose problems whose solutions already exist, but open an opportunity to connect these regions with new solutions. What we often lack is focus. The very direction of our abilities and capabilities to build a more just world sometimes is the missing key factor.
Leaving Israel, the beginning of this journey will be through Egypt, known for pyramids and tourism, but also famous for the high rates of poverty and a miserable population in various parts of the country. Tourism in the region often hides a reality that I would like to find out. Of Egypt, still do not know if I will make the crossing by land or air, after all, will have to assess the feasibility of crossing the Sudan - North and South - to reach Ethiopia.
The idea is to explore Addis Ababa, the largest "city-slum" in the world and its most famous slum, Kechene. Then an opportunity to meet Meke'le, a member of the Millennium Cities Initiative of the UN (MCI - Millennium Cities Initiative)
From the horn of Africa, the priority is to get to know Kenya. Kibera, in Nairobi, the largest slum in the continent, is my main focus, through organizations like the Shining Hope for Communities and the national program KenSup (Kenyan Slum Upgrading Program). Then, to understand the operation of another MCI, Kisumu, located as close to Lake Victoria.The most likely route includes a visit to the coastal city of Mombasa, towards Tanzania.From the coast, reach to Dar el Salaam, the Tanzanian capital, to explore a bit of urban life, and a visit to Zanzibar to understand different urban development initiative. Then go out into the countryside of Hemagoma to learn and contribute to a project of agricultural education called Magoma, based within an organization called 2Seeds.
The possibility of going through another MCI, Tabora in western Tanzania would be a smart option to get around Lake Victoria towards Uganda, or the city of Arusha, where there are other contacts with the municipality that can bring an interesting learning. Then, Uganda raises again the opportunity to observe urban poverty in regions like Kawempe slum in the capital Kampala. It is also an opportunity to meet an art education project called Muse Uganda, an educational project in the slum of Namuwongo, with Little Light Children's Center and experience the north face of Lake Victoria.
Of course, being there, I would like to include the possibility of stepping through Burundi, Malawi and Rwanda. But these are not priorities for now. Southern Sudan interests me quite a lot, but I would only visit the newest country in the world if I find a safe contact to show me around.
(It is worth noting the immense possibility of changes of plan along the way)
Initiatives (to be constantly updated):
2Seeds - Tanzânia
MCI - Kisumo, Quênia e; Tabora, Tanzânia
UN-Habitat
Solar Sister - Uganda
Shining Hope for Communities in Kibera, Quênia
KenSup - Kenya
Sisi Ni Amani (Peace building), Quênia
Muse Uganda
- Calendar:
Approximately 3 months
Egypt( approximately 10 days)
Ethiopia (approximately 7 days)
Kenya (approximately 20 days)
Tanzania (approximately 15 days)
Uganda (approximately 15 days)