If you haven’t already seen it. Then do see the BBC programme made for Comic relief Famous, Rich and in the Slums.
It shows four people going to live in Kibera slums in Nairobi. This is Africa’s biggest slum. See it here (UK only I’m afraid):
Kibera slums
Next episode is this Thursday at 9pm.
O
ne of the things that some may not know is that Andrew and Lucy lived for some years in Kibera. They actually said that the places that Lenny Henry and friends were living in was a lot better than they had. Lenny and friends had a 12 x 12 room. Andrew and Lucy lived in a 10 x 10 and there were six of them living there and they had their first child born there.
They also mentioned the “flying toilets”. You have to pay to go to the toilet in Kibera and so many don’t pay. They do their business into a bag, wrap it up and whirl it as far as they can. Lucy said you don’t carry open food, especially at night, as you don’t know what might land on you!!
They would like to see many of the people re-settled back to the lands that they came from but they realise that the slum works for the rich in society who would then not have a plentiful supply of cheap labour.
famous, rich and in the slums
It was, of course, much worse than anything we experienced in Kakamega.
Some videos of the weekend will go up later today.
Update: I have put all of the posts to do with our trip to Kakamega here: https://willcookson.wordpress.com/rush-trip-2011/
Update: Just blogged on the second episode
Will Cookson's Blog 
Hi Will,
As we are planning a church visit to Imprezza next year have you compiled any church procedures about insurance, travel arrangements, advice etc which is easily accessible and we could possibly share.
I also was very moved by the programme and also heard Angela Rippon on Friday on Woman’s Hour. She has been moved to return and help the school she went to teach at.
Brian email bhodgedawlish@aol.com
We didn’t really plan it as a church visit and so we didn’t centralise the organisation to that extent. Obviously, if you are doing a church visit you will need risk assessments etc etc.
We put most of the “survival” tips into the bluffers guide to kakamega: https://willcookson.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/bluffers-guide-to-kakamega/
Beforehand there are all the jabs (advice from your local surgery). You will want good insurance (doesn’t need to be expensive – the comparison websites will show some good deals) – remember you are going as a tourist.
In terms of flights we used Virgin which meant that we didn’t have to change flights. Internal flights we used Kenya airlines – both are ok although the overnight with virgin is awful – no food or drinks for several hours after takeoff. Daytime back was fine.
I presume that people from Kenya will meet you? If not then you will need to think where you stay etc.