CONCEPT WZ-0137

SANITATION/WASTE REMOVAL
Kibera, located outside Nairobi in Kenya, is Africa's largest and the world's second-largest slum. Kibera defines poverty. There isn’t a comprehensive sanitation or waste removal system in place; instead, individual entrepreneurs become involved in the process of trash and waste removal. Children play a role in this. They can be seen picking up plastics, metals, and paper scraps to be recycled or repurposed. In this, they find some small income. In an area like Kibera, where poverty is extreme, finding value in what's discarded becomes an art form as well as a means of survival.


DARK PANEL
I've shared this image with many who live in Kibera to see if they can identify it. The most common belief is that it is an interior side of a ruptured water tank. Most of these images look so much larger than they are. These tanks hold hundreds of gallons of water. This is a small plastic panel 10 x 4 cm (4 x 1.5 inches). 
TUSKER BEER CAP
They brew a fine beer in Nairobi called Tusker. This is a crushed cap, from a such a bottle, pulled from the ground. I sponsored a Peace Workshop in Kibera, it was a full 5-days, and ended with what became known as the Peace Dinner. Several of the Brothers of Mother Theresa attended and graciously offered to slaughter a goat for the meal. I was approached by one of the hired workers who said if the brothers will bring goat we need beer and wine too. I think I gave him 10,000 Kenyan Shillings. He returned with several boxes of wine and four cases of Tusker's beer. It was a great way to end the workshop. Brother Lawrence told me the goat put up quite a fight. 
LITTLE SMOKIES WRAPPER
This piece remained a mystery to me for many years. Some items are very delicate and I store them carefully. One day I just started opening it. Nothing, front or back, of its folded self indicated what it was. I discovered it was a Little Smokies Brand bag. These are used by the vendors in Kibera, they actually have Little Smokies carts that have a heat source built in. They sell them and place them in these bags. I have had them. I intend to reach out to the Little Smokies company and see if these carts are sanctioned by their company. Or is it simply a business that grew organically in the slum? 
COCA–COLA (AMERICAN TEA)
The Coca-Cola brand is found everywhere. The iconic red color is only slightly faded; indicating it's not been on the ground long. Measuring about 3cm around, this lid is plastic and threaded. Everywhere in Kibera you find Coca-Cola for sale. There are risks in the places I go, and such hardship to look upon. When in Kibera Coca-Cola is more than a drink to me, it's a connection to the world I'm from. A comfort. I was buying it in large amounts and sharing with the Kenyans. I told them Coke is "American Tea." There is an Imperial culture in Kenya, taking tea is more then a drink, it's an important part of social connection – even within the slum. Coke is the same for me.