The Map Kibera team had a busy end to 2011. From August to the end of December 2011, we have been involved in projects in Kibera, Mukuru (Nairobi), Kwale (Coast) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Mappers from Kibera have travelling across the city, country and even regionally to share their skills with other young people in East Africa. They trained approximately 40 young people in Mukuru, 30 in Kwale and students from Ardhi University in Dar es Salaam. This networking and sharing is beginning to create an informal network of young people, with skills, experience and passion for mapping for change. Although they are not always working in Kibera, the exposure the mappers get also helps to continue to “put Kibera on the map.”
Work on the atlases and wall painting for Kibera is also ongoing. The final edits are underway and 2012 will be busy for the team – producing an atlas distribution strategy, contacting partners for atlas request, visiting schools and health clinics and painting walls! Of course, the team will also gather feedback and document the process to being to better understand how community information can lead to change.
As we move into 2012, the Map Kibera team wishes you a wonderful start to the new year!