Update on Turning Maps into Action in Kibera!

by: August 23rd, 2011 comments: 1

On August 16th, Map Kibera Trust posted about the bonus day on Global Giving’s August Open Challenge. We are pleased to announce that in 1 day we raised $990 from 18 donors, and received $82 in matched funding from Global Giving! Thanks to all of you who donated on that day, and throughout the challenge. We are honoured to have your support!

NOW we have 8 days left to raise $1,485 to complete our fundraising goal of $4,000. To date we have raised $2,515 towards our goal (with a bonus of $82 from the bonus day fundraising efforts).

Please share this widely – Map Kibera needs your support to Turn Maps into Action in Kibera!

Zack Wambua maps the railway line in Kibera

Help Map Kibera turn maps into action!

by: August 16th, 2011 comments: 0

Map Kibera Trust put Kibera on the world map! Our team of community mappers plan to bring the map information to local change agents in the community, through printed atlases and map murals throughout Kibera.

To support our work, we are currently participating in the Global Giving August Open Challenge. During the challenge, we have 4 weeks (August 2nd – August 30th) to raise $4,000 from 50 unique donors. To date, Map Kibera has raised $1,685 from 24 amazing supporters. Get involved and help us meet our goal so that we can print maps and paint wall “map murals” to share information in Kibera.

Follow this link to give today! (P.S. Today (August 16th) is Bonus day on the challenge each donation will be matched by an extra 15% by Global Giving!).

Read on below to hear about our project.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Kibera, in Nairobi, Kenya, is a slum housing some 250,000 people. Kibera is likely the most photographed, researched, and well-known slum in the world. Before October 2009 however, Kibera did not appear on the world map. Map Kibera trained thirteen youth from the slum to use GPS devices to map points of interest in their community, such as clinics, water sources, landmarks, toilets, street lights, and businesses. The youth will now reach out the the community and 200 change agents with the maps.

How will this project solve this problem?

The Map Kibera team wants to make sure that the local community is part of discussions about the challenges facing slum residents around the word. This project will reach out to local change agents to distribute the maps and discuss how geographic information and open data can be used to improve project delivery and development in Kibera and other slums around the world.

Potential Long Term Impact

We will reach out to 200 change agents around Kibera to discuss how community generated information can improve the delivery of services and the implementation of projects in Kibera.

Project Message

“The training and the whole process of mapping has changed me…I feel much more confident and well informed…I will not leave Kibera but will stay and make it a better place to live.”
Regynnah Awino, Kibera mapper
Update: it’s 50 unique donors, rather than 40. Thanks!

MARKET DAYS IN TANDALE WARD(DAR-ESAALAM)

by: August 14th, 2011 comments: 0

Most of the farmers around  Dar-salaam take their agricultural produce to Sokoni market(Tandaleward).The most amazing thing about this market is that you will always see a municipal council’s lorry packed somewhere around ready to collect garbage from the market.For me, this is welfare because when I compare Sokoni market with Toi market i.e. in Kibera, I see I a big contrast. In Toi market you will never see a lorry coming to collect gabbage.The burden of garbage collection is usually left to the business owners.

In terms of infrastructure, Sokoni market is easily accessible.Both buyers and sellers can use any form of transport to access inside.Stalls have been partitioned well taking into consideration space for every seller.

Apart from farm produce,Sokoni market  has stalls where they sell  imported second hand clothes commonly known as”Mitumba”.The clothes are very much affordable and you can always find different designs/fashions.

My opinion is for the City Council of Nairobi to atleast deploy two lorries on weekly basis for garbage collection. I believe with this done, it will help in maintaining a clean and safe environment free from pests and diseases.

Lucy Fondo