SUCCESS STORIES.
KELVIN
Kelvin experienced violence, abuse and hunger in the streets as a young boy. On top of this harsh reality, things were only more difficult for him as a result of his partial blindness due to a deteriorating congenital eye condition. He ran away from home at a young age because he was abused. He lived in the streets fighting to survive for several years. When Kelvin found Alfajiri, he attended workshops regularly and eventually was reunited with his grandmother and subsequently an uncle. Alfajiri sponsored him to go to boarding school at Thika School for the Blind, where he joined the school’s sports teams to compete in athletics.In 2022, Kelvin placed first in a major running competition, emerging as the school’s top runner. Shortly after this achievement, Kelvin was selected to represent Kenya in the Paralympic championship competitions.
New Update
Kelvin has continued to believe in himself, always giving his best shot. He represented Kenya in 2023 Paralympic Championship in Brazil. He participated in the goal-ball game, winning several silver medals for Kenya. This was a major milestone. For a person who had lost hope after experiencing brutality in the streets and so many setbacks, he is now a world champion. His dedication paid off after intense training.
This year (May 2025), Kelvin did not disappoint either. He participated in the Paralympic world games Championship; power lifting held in Turkey and Kazakhstan. On the very first day in Kazakhstan , Kelvin won a gold medal for Kenya and five more medals in the subsequent days. This is not just a win for him; it is a true reflection of what resilience looks like and an encouragement to his peers. Life does not end when one finds themselves in the streets; a new beginning is always possible with a little help and a lot of motivation. The boys who remember Kelvin in the streets are greatly inspired and he is an encouragement to not only the street boys and girls, but everyone.
JUMA
Juma lived in the streets where he survived by picking up scrap metals from the dump to sell. .Heavily involved in street life Juma was often in danger. His two brothers were killed in the streets. Through art and counseling Juma found a new way of being. He has developed into a versatile artist using his voice and knowledge of the streets. .His paintings are raw and authentic portraying life in the ghetto or dreams of landscapes and beauty.. He has studied technique closely and attended many sessions with artists and exhibitions with Alfajiri also joining live painting events. Juma paints at the Alfajiri center twice per week. Juma’s dedication has not gone unnoticed, as his talented work had a critical influence on a gallery selection committee in France. A major canvas of Mathare slum was purchased by the Australian ambassador and is displayed at the Kenyan residence of the Australian embassy.
Recently Juma began a carpentry apprenticeship and has moved further away from the Mlango Kubwa slum where he and his family once suffered violence and abuse. He is an example of the possibility of radical recovery with time and support. Alfajiri encourages all artists to develop trade skills apart from painting for self sustainability.
NICK
Nick been an active participant at Alfajiri workshops and has been with us since 2019.. He is now a gifted and accomplished painter exhibiting nationally and internationally. Nick is now a professional artist, has trained as a framer and canvas stretcher at Kuona trust artists collective.
It is hard to believe that such a talented and hardworking man was once a boy roaming the streets of Mlango Kubwa with nothing to his name. He has been apprenticed for 3 years at the Framing studio in Kuona Trust Nairobi where he has developed a high level of skill in framing and stretching canvas.
He has now started his own framing business and his framed work has been in the National Museum, his stretched canvas in 3zero house in both Nairobi and Paris. He is headed for a brilliant career facilitated by Alfajiri.
.jpg)
FAITH
Faith completed her secondary studies in school in Kisii, in 2025 sponsored by Alfajiri As her family situation in Nairobi had been unstable, Alfajiri supported Faith to stay with her grandfather in her family rural home in Kisii Kenya. There she stayed with her grandfather to concentrate on her studies. She had no chance to escape the cycle of poverty while living in the slums of Nairobi so she stayed with her grandfather to concentrate on her studie3s.
With a new private sponsor through Alfajiri, to whom Faith is very grateful, she is the first in her family to have the opportunity to enter university with a score of B- which is a great achievement.
She is now studying Education at Eldoret University where she is paving a new path not only for herself, but for her siblings in Nairobi.
YUSUF
Yusuf came to Alfajiri in 2022 looking for assistance and a place that would value his artistic talent. He lived in the ghetto alone with his grandmother and had just finished his secondary education. With results that would not give him sponsored entry to university due to one mark less than the requirement. Yusuf found himself at a crossroads.
An intelligent focused young man, he had great ambitions and the drive to achieve. Yusuf is now finishing 3rd year University in a course in Statistics, guided and supported by Alfajiri.
Yusuf has a great talent as a painter and after a long mentorship and connections through Alfajiri, is now professional and sophisticated in his work. He is an exhibiting artist, represented in collections both local and international and has discovered a gift for teaching, assisting Alfajiri facilitators to conduct workshops in schools and prisons. Most recently his work, part of a series titled Displacement was collected by the Mayor of Paris in France. He has also had his large work of the aftermath of the Kenyan Floods, purchased by an American representative of the UN.
Yusuf is spreading his wings and headed to American galleries to further his artistic career beyond Alfajiri. He will return to mentor other beneficiaries.
PATRICK
Patrick came to Alfajiri in 2020, a small and withdrawn boy living on the streets. He had little hope and struggled with substance use. After being guided through two rehabilitation programs and introduced to a mechanics course, it became clear that his true passion lay elsewhere—art.
When he first walked into the Alfajiri centre, Patrick insisted, “I can’t paint.” But after being encouraged to try, and exploring the works of artists such as Vincent van Gogh, something clicked. He created his first painting—a bold, vibrant vase of red flowers. That moment marked a turning point.
Since then, Patrick has become one of Alfajiri’s most prolific artists. His work is expressive, thoughtful, and full of color, movement, nature and life. He is now a professional painter, represented in local and international collections, and has exhibited at the National Museum of Kenya. Patrick credits painting with helping him leave street life and addiction behind.
Patrick is now painting Murals both at the Alfajiri center and in other centers and venues. Because of his talent and gift with children, he is ambitious to be a teacher and mentor and has overcome so much to live as an inspiration to the others.
KAYLAN
Kaylan lived with his single mother in the Dandora slum at the time they approached us for support in school. We sponsored Kaylan throughout primary school and offered guidance and business training to his mother.
The life in Dandora was a dangerous and unstable environment with high crime and drug use.. Kaylan began to get involved with some of the boys who were roaming the streets in the area and we advised his mother that it was not a good environment for him to continue.
His mother. with the desire for her son to be able to break free of poverty and the future probability of hopelessness in life, made the brave choice to move with her family to a safe rural area.
With Alfajiri assistance the family relocated and Kaylan has continued his sponsorship in to class 6. He is a top student in his new school and is benefiting greatly from his education. Highly intelligent and gifted, he is settled and happy in his now environment. He a student of Karate, successful in school tournaments.
