From homeless kid to hero of Africa's biggest slum
Kennedy Odede grew up in Kibera in Kenya, Africa鈥檚 biggest slum. He believed his future prospects were either death or prison. Then he read a book that would be a turning point.
Kennedy Odede had a tough start in life. He grew up in Kibera in Kenya, Africa鈥檚 biggest slum. Poverty drove him to stealing and drugs.
He believed his future prospects were either death or prison. He didn鈥檛 go to school but Kennedy taught himself to read from newspapers he found in the rubbish. It was the start of a spectacular change of fortune.
He began learning about the American civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King and was inspired. Kennedy wanted to start his own movement and it all began with football. His project, Shining Hope for Communities, just grew and grew.
He鈥檚 now built two schools and seven health clinics. Kennedy also won a US scholarship, he speaks six languages and has rubbed shoulders with Beyonc茅.
Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Saskia Edwards
Image: Kennedy Odede
Credit: Courtesy of Shining Hope for Communities
Podcast
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The Outlook Podcast Archive
True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives
