The Outlook Podcast Archive - From homeless kid to hero of Africa's biggest slum

Download From homeless kid to hero of Africa's biggest slum

Kennedy Odede had a tough start in life. He grew up in Kibera in Kenya, Africa’s biggest slum. Poverty drove him to stealing and drugs.

He believed his future prospects were either death or prison. He didn’t go to school but Kennedy taught himself to read from newspapers he found in the rubbish. It was the start of a spectacular change of fortune.

He began learning about the American civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King and was inspired. Kennedy wanted to start his own movement and it all began with football. His project, Shining Hope for Communities, just grew and grew.

He’s now built two schools and seven health clinics. Kennedy also won a US scholarship, he speaks six languages and has rubbed shoulders with Beyoncé.

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Saskia Edwards

Image: Kennedy Odede
Credit: Courtesy of Shining Hope for Communities

Published on Wednesday, 4th September 2019.

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