Kibera is the largest slum in Africa, home to over 200,000 people living in extreme poverty. Life expectancy is 30 years old, unemployment is the status quo, disease is prevalent due to poor hygiene, clean water is scarce, and there is a general lack of basic services, including electricity, running water, and medical care. There are few schools, and most families cannot afford education for their children. In this environment, children are left to fend for themselves.

During my time there, I not only connected with the children through daily art classes, exploring their vibrant creativity and pure innocence, but also with the local community. Despite their limited resources, they were able to create incredible objects, turning simple items like plastic bags into laughter-filled slides down the hill. These resilient children braved the rain and mud every day to attend school, greeting me with open arms and smiles. Initially dubbed "mzungu" and "Teacher Sabastian," they soon taught me Swahili while painting insects on pieces of fabric in the school's courtyard. While I could share countless stories and experiences from my time there, I prefer showing them through the pieces we created together.

Inspired by this journey, I decided to create an art residency program, inviting a fresh artist each year to collaborate with Little Lions school. The envisioned cycle involves the artist spending a month in Nairobi, followed by an exhibition back home to financially support the next year's artist. This is the first such exhibition that will allow for the next residency. This initiative not only seeks to enrich the lives of the children but also to foster community development. Through structured workshops, mentorship, and collaborative endeavors, we aim to empower local artisans and stimulate economic growth