Ex gang members and sex workers create a garden of Eden in the midst of hopelessness

When Christopher's best friend was gunned down by police after a foiled robbery,  he knew deep in his heart that he would be next. Christopher and his gang of friends lived a life of crime. They snatched handbags from women, mugged residents at gunpoint and engaged in prostitution.  Everyday for them was a run in with the police. He was in his last teenage years and the future looked bleak for him. Christopher was the youngest in the group.

"For how long?" he wondered. The death of his friend thrust him to soberness. Christopher was born and raised in Korogocho, one of Kenya's most populous
slums. He had witnessed at least fifty of his gang friends getting lynched by members of the public and getting shot dead by the police in robbery incidents. They were now fifteen of them remaining. They wanted to leave the crime world so badly. But where would they eke out a living?

Turning a new leaf 

The government was constructing a bridge connecting Korogocho and Dandora through the slum upgrading initiative.Christopher and his 14 friends approached the contractor to employ them as casuals. They were to look after the safety of construction materials. They took up the role seriously until when the construction was completed and this was their journey out of crime.

With the construction of the bridge getting completed, they thought of what else to do to avoid falling back into their old ways. At this time, they had formed themselves into a group known as Komb Green. They began by rehabilitating their former hiding places within the slum into mini parks. They cleaned out the garbage, planted trees and grass and built path ways turning the once dilapidated and ran down place into a small heaven.

Currently, Komb Green is a registered community based organization with at least 68 members who are reformed criminals and sex workers. Fredrick Okinda is the Chairman of the group and Christopher is the Secretary.

The people's park 

The group is credited with transforming a once eye sore area into a small Garden of Eden. Fresh air, clean and clear walk paths welcomes you to this amazing place. The group has been recognised for its impact on the environment and was granted
a first prize of 100,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,000) in a competition for youth-led initiatives transforming public spaces around Nairobi by a local non-profit organization Public Space Network. Residents visit the park for recreation purposes, to spend time in nature and the park acts as a safe playing ground for their children.

Pics courtesy

Sustainable cities and communities.

According to the United Nations, half the world’s population now lives in cities, and this is projected to increase to two-thirds by 2050. People living in cities are faced by a myriad of problems including but not limited to environmental and socio-economic challenges.

But cities that are well-planned and well-governed can contribute significantly to addressing global challenges including poverty and climate change, leading the greening of the global economy and providing a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

The group is actively involved in cleaning the Nairobi river and greening the riparian land."The group is contributing to efforts in creating sustainable cities and communities. We are rehabilitating Nairobi river, promoting agriculture, mentoring youths in the slums, landscaping and beautification, garbage collection and improving sanitation by constructing compost toilets,"says Christopher.

"We plan to plant 50,000 bamboo trees along Nairobi river this year," he adds.

Christopher says that the project has helped the group members create good relations with other slum dwellers  and the police. "60 ladies from the slum now have skills in joinery and capentry through Komb Green. Our environment is clean, crime rates have drastically reduced," says Christopher.

The group is also implementing a circular gardening initiative and they are training more residents on the same. "It helps in saving water and space. One circular costs Ksh 10,000. And we have been contracted to install the 'pyramids'in schools. One pyramid can handle 200 different vegetables," explains Christopher.

From a place of hopelessness, poverty, crime and prostitution Komb Green is at the frontlines of sustainable development through their inclusive,innovative, safe and resilient projects.