A few facts about life in an African slum

Kibera is a slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

As many as half a million people may live there, most without running water, electricity or bathrooms.

Many have been forced to leave their villages by drought, which causes crop failure and starvation. They come to the city looking for work. But there is never enough work for everyone.

Many Kenyan children have lost at least one relative to AIDS. Many live with a grandparent, aunt or uncle and other family members. Tuberculosis and pneumonia are other serious diseases that affect people in the slums.

Not all children can afford to go to school. But many are helped with money donated by people in other countries.

Despite their poverty, the people of Kibera have schools, churches, clinics and community centers. Children play, neighbors get to know each other and people organize ways to help those most in need.

For many people, life in the slum may be the only one they will ever know. But those with a good education have the best chance of making a better life.

Mancala, one of the oldest games in the world, is played by adults and children all over Africa and in many other countries.

Ten percent of author royalties from the sale of The Paper House will be donated to Kibera’s Red Rose School, Nairobi through The Children of Kibera Foundation at www.childrenofkibera.org.