Mathare Roots Youth Group - From Roots to Fruits

Mathare Roots Youth Group - 'From Roots to Fruits' was formed by a group of 15 youngsters in March 2006 and has its roots in the much longer established Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA). Mathare Roots to Fruits now has over 40 members and its membership is still growing.

(The following information is from Mathare Roots website at http://www.mathareroots.org)

The name Mathare 'Roots' came from the fact that the group has emerged from the Mathare slums (reputedly the second largest slum in Africa after Kibera), where most of the group's members were born and raised, hence the members know the struggles of the residents and would like to try and bring 'good fruits' from the slum, which would paint a better picture of the community.

Mathare Roots prides itself on vast experience of community development and individual growth related issues, acquired from long-term involvement in other community groups (such as MYSA) based in and out of the Mathare slums. The group is still young but the spirits are high amongst the members, resulting in high and very positive popularity in the slum and its environs.

The group is very active in helping to try and reduce the level of HIV/AIDS in the slums, organising and participating in HIV/AIDS awareness activities, providing positive role-models for the young and vulnerable members of the community, providing hope, educational support and a positive alternative to drugs, gangs and the negative aspects of living in a slum environment.

The group's main activities are:
Arts - (music and dance, poems, graffiti and drawing, drama and skits, design;
Community Service - environmental clean-ups, and home visits
Sports - all kinds of sports, including football & volleyball.
Recreation - hikes, camps, picnics
Educational - seminars, workshops, lectures
Social - mentoring and counselling

Mathare Roots Youth Group would like to establish a link with a football club or a football-related community group or youth group based in an inner city area in UK, so that they can share support, mutual ideas & experience with other local youngsters, perhaps with the possibility of some football-related cultural exchange visits, fundraising/sponsorship, etc.

Contact: Elijah Kanyi (Email: monelijah@yahoo.com).

You can find more photo's and information about Mathare Roots Youth Group and their life and activities in the Mathare slums at the Mathare Roots Youth Group website (http:www.mathareroots.org).

More information about Mathare Youth Sports Association can be found at http:www.mysakenya.org

More photo's and information about the making of a new documentary with Mathare Roots and the difficulties of life in the Mathare slum can be found at the 'Living & Bleeding' website.