Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, And Hope In An African Slum

Kennedy is the first child of Ajey. Born in Kibera, a slum of Nairobi, “[his] middle name, Owiti, means ‘unwanted or thrown-away child’” (24). Born out of wedlock, Kennedy was spared death because his birth was deemed a miracle because it was followed by long-awaited rain that ended a period of drought. In fact, his last name means “after the drought.” He is raised by his grandmother until 3 years old when she passed away. After losing the one person in his life that shows him kindness, he is sent to live with his mother and her abusive, alcoholic husband in Nairobi. He spends his childhood shielding his mother and his siblings from his stepfather’s abuse. He begs for food to try and ease his family’s hunger. After becoming the focus of his stepfather’s abuse, he runs away and joins a child street gang at the age of 13. He steals and hustles to make money for food. He gets a break when a priest offers to pay his school fees. Kennedy struggles to make it out of poverty, trying hard to work honestly. After failing to stay in school because of money, he tries to work honest construction jobs.