France 2 reporters Anouk Burel and Frédéric Bohn made an impressive documentary about Dandora’s dumpsite:

One of the most toxicated places on earth: Dandora, at a few minutes distance from Nairobi and just kilometers from the dream safari area for tourists. Since the seventies the garbage piles up to huge mountains. Men, women and children pass the days of their life here to find something to eat or to sell in the left-overs from aeroplanes and hotels. Collecting plastic bags raises thenth of eurocents a day. Thousands are living in the surrounding area, encountering the toxic gasses and appalling smells. A world cut off from the world, which feeds and poisons at the same time.
Our team spent 10 days in Dandora….
(translation: Mieke Merckx)

Ghetto Potential’s Mike was guide for the team. Although the documentary is in French, it still gives a good impression of the surroundings where Ghetto Potential operates.

You can watch the video ‘Les glaneurs de Nairobi‘ on the website of France 2.
Start the video after the initial 30 seconds commercial by clicking the bottom link that says ‘Afficher la video…’.

Resisents of kariobangi had chance to be part JIAMINI event that will be held every end of two  month. The february jiamini held at the cardinal otunga youths empowement centre kariobangi. The event was aimed at strengtening the relationship of between st jan de  doper a school in holand who have bin supporting the braislets making in kariobangi. The  next  jiamini is going to be on the 26th April in Dagoreti at the Emanuel youths empowement centre.

It has been quiet on this site for quite some time. Various causes, such as the political turmoil of early this year, can be pointed out. Nevertheless, work has continued even if it’s only step by step. Amongst others this has resulted in an exposition in The Netherlands of photographs of GP. The exposition takes place from March 18, 2008 until April 25, 2008 at the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) in Amstelveen.

The exposition is supported by Het Lab Peter Paul Huf and

You can get the (Dutch) brochure of the exposition here.

You like to have a pointer to GP on your mantelpiece, the coffee table or maybe on a bookshelf? Then get the GP hoover now, print, cut and fold it and there you are!

Want to have a look at a digital (pdf) version? Then click the image on the right.

The GP logo is available now!

GHETTO POTENTIAL is an initiative based on the fact that people from the ghetto posses talent that need to be exploited and exposed in terms of competition,quality work and professionalism. This can only be achieved through relevant exposure and/or training.

GHETTO POTENTIAL uses talent as a tool in empowering the people and is keen on offering local and international exposure to talents from ghettos of the world.
GP incorporates various genres viz a viz:
-ARTS
-EDUCATION/EDUTAINMENT
-HEALTH
-ICT
-SPORTS

MISSION;
GP’s mission is to establish a self-proficient environment for talented people of the ghettos; to empower them to become ‘world forces to reckon with’ in their respective fields of interest.

VISION;
A tremendous overflow of world class innovation and productivity from all ghettos of the world and improved living standards for ghetto talents.

AIMS;
# improve living standards of artisans from the ghettos.

# market the vision of GP to the ghettos of the world in order to create a network ofthese ghettos.This will in-turn create a united and global ideology of this vision.

# offer and/or connect artistes to platforms that market their products locally and internationally.

# organize local and international interghetto programmes that connect and unite potential of the ghetto from different geographical settings.

# help pass the message of the ghetto voices accross which is relentlessly and creatively included in these works of talent.

# collaborate with other organisations in building up a network and a reputation of the ghettos.

The event dubbed ‘jiamini’ took place at the kariobangi social grounds. What might have been disappointing at the start of the day turned out to be a spectacular show of the hidden talents of the ghettos!!! ‘jiamini’ -swahili for ‘believe in yourself’ met its worth as a slogan for the event.
Performances that were showcased involved mainstream and upcoming artists from the ghettos; in attendance being, Ukoo Flani, Streetman, Tarumbeta Africa, Mawazimu, Innocent One and loads of other artists from the ghetto and outside of it…

The gallery has been privileged to host important personalities in it! The kenyan minister of culture was there alongside the Chinese ambassador. His excellency even got the chance of learning how to play a ‘djembe’ (West African drum) - courtesy of KPAG!

Her excellency the Dutch ambassador also visited the gallery and was awed through the time that she was here… maybe not because of all the much that was there, but of the effort that was put on the work!

The C.E.O of celtel ‘technically’ paid a courtesy call and had a difficult time leaving…honestly!! Must be something to do with the ambience..!
Important personalities from DOEN-stichting did not also regret their trip…
The manager of the Kenya cultural center finds it the best place to hang out!!

Get the digital version (in pdf format) of the first issue of GP Magazine!

Or get the magazine in print format underneath.

Front

Back

Print the front and back double-sided on one sheet of paper and fold it using the folding instructions.

The Kenya Cultural Centre (KCC), Kenya Performing Arts Group (KPAG) and Ghetto Potential (GP) have joined forces to start off the Potential Gallery, aiming at exposing grassroots arts from less developed communities.
The gallery can be visited at the Kenya Cultural Centre, Harry Thuku Road, Nairobi.
Currently the works exhibited here are a collection from the kenya performing arts group photo archives.they are pieces from all around the world and they relay messages in a different way other than their original form of performed art.
there are also a varity of impressive art work done by kids from kariobangi, during the ‘jiamini’ social event.these works contain strong messages that can be interpreted differently from one person to another…
It is however impressive how much creativity was realized,invested and nutured on this day!!
It is a good idea to nurture these talents at infancy…These kids are extremely talented,imaginative……well say (see) it for yourself!!!

NOTE:The gallery is open to all artistes and/or photographers and is open all week!