Mathare Joy
Mathare is one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements, located in Nairobi. Hundreds of thousands of people live within its densely populated neighbourhoods, many in small homes constructed from corrugated metal and other basic materials. Most residents rent their homes from private landlords.
In 2011, our good friends Jason and Jennifer Sheppard of Mission: 180 Ministries arranged for us to visit Mathare. Guided by a local woman, we visited two schools and walked through the narrow streets, where children continually greeted us with enthusiastic calls of “How are you? How are you?” and “Take picture?”
I don’t know the name of the little girl I painted, but if I were to give her one, it would be Joy. She was among a group of children who ran over to have their pictures taken. I loved her dimples and that wonderful smile.
She truly was a joy to paint. As I worked on her portrait, I often wondered what her life is like today, where she is now, and whether she is okay.
