Methare Joy

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Acrylic on canvas.
Methare is the second largest slum in Kenya, located in the heart of a valley in the city of Nairobi. Methare is home to 800,000 residents living in a 1.5 square mile area. Most of the housing consists of shanties built from corrugated metal and various other found materials. Unbelievably, the residents of these shanties must pay rent to “landlords” for the privilege of living in Methare.

Good friends of mine Jason and Jennifer Sheppard from Mission: 180 Ministries organized a tour of the Methare slum for us in 2011. Guided by a local woman we visited two schools in the area. As we walked the narrow streets we were continually greeted by children chanting “Howe Aryu? Howe Aryu?” – How are you? How are you? – or “take pikture?”

I do not know the name of the little girl I painted but if I were to give her a name it would be Joy. She was among a group of children that ran to us to have a picture taken. I love her dimples and that lovely smile. She was a Joy to paint, and during the process I kept wondering what her life is like now and if she’s okay.