Rory and I were missing Nakuru before we even left, so it took us both a few days to warm up to the new group. We have about the same size of a podcast group, and episodes should be up today or tomorrow. They seem like they'll grow into a more radio-style podcast, covering more than just HIV/AIDS.

All the kids live in Kibera, the 2nd largest slums in the world (first is in South Africa). We meet in a small hut/house/office which has been used by them for a long time. They're all already active in community service. Kefa, one of the more leader-like members of the group, actually won a Mr. Nairobi award last year: it's a modeling contest that includes a small speech where each contestant explains what they would/will do for Kibera.

Today I ventured down through some of the more rugged parts of Kibera. It was an eye-opener. The plumming is ruts along the walk-ways. The houses are wood and mud huts covered with plaster (all harvested right there). Sheats of aluminum is a popular roofing. Chickens and dogs were wondering around, along with more chanting small children ("How are you? How are you?").

We brought some soccer balls to a small school there. After we dropped them off, everyone moved to the side and conducted an interview. Soon I noticed a couple of small kids looking at the soccer balls by their school. They were probably eight or nine. I went over and started kicking it around with them (juggling style). They were almost better then me. At one point the ball bounced away and rolled through a small patch of sewage/run-off water. I knew that to the kids this was nothing, they lived among it, so I just picked it up and kept playing it.

Esther, one of the girls in the podcast group, was telling me about the people that live here. She said it was true that many are poor and not well off, but she said many have good jobs and good homes. She said that lots of people are proud and happy to live in Kibera. Some homes might look just as worn and tattered as the rest, but inside is a big screen TV with lots of funiture and general comforts. She said it was the propinquity to Nairobe and the strong sense of family/community that keeps many businessmen and sucessful families living in Kibera.

More later.