Global Forum

​Born and raised in Nairobi’s Mathare slum—one of Africa’s most densely populated informal settlements—Joseph Kariaga once walked the treacherous path of crime. Like many young men around him, Kariaga, now 27, was deeply entrenched in gang life: mugging residents, stealing phones, and constantly clashing with police. But everything changed in 2017, when his brother was shot dead by police. That painful loss forced him to reflect: “I had to change,” he said. “We were going to lose our lives if we continued like this.”

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That moment of grief and clarity birthed Vision Bearerz—a grassroots initiative he co-founded with nearly a dozen other former gang members. Determined to break the cycle of crime and poverty, they turned to an unlikely source of hope: farming.

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Mathare, home to over 500,000 people, is plagued by food insecurity, poverty, and a lack of infrastructure. Most families can barely afford a meal, and malnourishment is twice as likely among children under five. Inspired by a Colombian TikTok account showcasing slum farming, Kariaga and his group began cleaning up a local garbage dump and growing vegetables. They adopted hydroponics—a soil-less farming technique—with support from Growth4Change, a nonprofit that trains community-led projects.

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What started as a humble act of self-redemption has blossomed into a beacon of transformation. Today, Vision Bearerz grows vegetables, raises pigs, and farms tilapia, feeding over 150 children weekly with free lunches of ugali, beans, and greens. The group also runs a car wash and public toilet to generate income and reinvests proceeds into feeding programs and community initiatives.

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Their impact reaches beyond meals. Through youth outreach, Vision Bearerz conducts anti-drug and anti-crime programs and empowers girls through workshops on feminine hygiene. Their journey is not without setbacks—some members have relapsed, and the group continues to battle financial hurdles, police stigma, and reduced donor support, especially after cuts from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Despite the odds, their resilience is inspiring.

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For Joseph Kariaga, the work has just begun. He dreams of expanding their urban farming efforts and mentoring more youth across Kenya’s slums. With pride in his eyes and purpose in his heart, he shares, “Farming can change the world.” Indeed, from the ashes of loss, Joseph has planted seeds of hope—proof that change can grow even in the darkest corners.

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Inspired by Joseph Kariaga’s powerful transformation, here are 10 simple, practical, and cost-free actions you can adopt to bring meaningful change in your own community, just like Joseph did in Mathare. These ideas are rational, inspirational, and achievable, designed to encourage everyone, regardless of their resources, to take the first step.

 

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 1. Start a “Clean-Up & Grow” Corner   -  Pick a small neglected space in your neighborhood—maybe a corner full of trash—and clean it with a few friends. Then plant local plants, vegetables, or flowers using old containers or recycled materials. This will beautify the area, teach farming skills, and inspire others to care for public spaces.

 

 2. Form a “Hope Circle” - Gather 3–5 young people regularly under a tree, in a field, or on someone’s veranda to discuss dreams, struggles, and peaceful solutions. Like Vision Bearerz, this can be a space for reflection, mentorship, and support that costs nothing but builds strong bonds.

 

 3. Storytelling Saturdays - Organize a weekly story-sharing session where elders or peers share positive life experiences, lessons, or transformation stories. Without spending money, this builds identity, wisdom, and a sense of belonging in your community.

 

 4. Youth Hygiene Team   - Lead a simple hygiene campaign: teach children to wash their hands, clean their surroundings, and stay healthy using locally available water and soap. Use song, drama, or local language slogans to make it fun and memorable.

 

 5. Leftovers for Love   - Coordinate with neighbors to collect small amounts of leftover food on weekends to feed 2–3 needy people in your area. Start small and make it about love, not quantity. This teaches compassion and responsibility.

 

 6. “Art for Change” Wall - Use walls, stones, or old cardboard to create powerful drawings or write messages discouraging crime, drugs, and violence. Even chalk art on roads or school walls can inspire hundreds of people walking by daily.

 

7. Walk and Talk Campaigns   - Start peaceful walks with messages like “We Choose Peace” or “Our Hands Build, Not Destroy.” Involve a few friends and move through your village or slum with messages of unity, just like Joseph turned from crime to peace.

 

 8. Street Talent Shows - Use open spaces to host community talent shows—poetry, dance, and singing—focused on peace, unity, and farming themes. You don’t need speakers or money, just voices, energy, and purpose.

 

9. Bottle Garden Challenge - Encourage every household to use one old bottle or container to grow sukuma, spinach, or herbs. Hold friendly competitions to see whose garden grows best. Joseph’s story shows that food can be grown anywhere, even in slums.

 

 10. Youth Pledge Wall - Create a simple public pledge wall or board where young people write what they want to leave behind (e.g., crime, drugs) and what they want to pursue (e.g., farming, peace). This will create accountability and community transformation from within.

 

These ideas require little or no money—only heart, hope, and hands. They echo Joseph Kariaga’s belief that “Farming can change the world.” But more than farming, hope-driven action truly transforms a community. 

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Categories: Youth Empowerment Initiatives, Community Transformation Projects, Crime Prevention Programs, Urban Farming Solutions, Local Leadership Models, Grassroots Social Impact

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Sources: https://apnews.com/article/kenya-gangsters-crime-farmers-food-insecurity-58259e3100c7f8f2da9f5239b8a6a9de

 

https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/62152
 

Picture Source: RODI Kenya