LightBox: Expressions of Hope from Young Women in the Kibera Slum of Nairobi

About the Project

LightBox is a 132 page, full-color, hardcover coffee table book, comprised of photographs and essays by the teenage members of The Binti Pamoja Center, a reproductive health and women’s rights program for teenage girls in the Kibera slum of Nairobi Kenya, and a program of Carolina for Kibera.

All of the pictures were taken with disposable or simple point-and-shoot cameras during the period of 2002-2004. Most of the photographers had never before held a camera, and were provided less than two hours of basic training. Their expressions offer a candid look at the lives of young women in poverty. LightBox demonstrates the value of empowering a young woman and is a celebration of the victories these young women achieve every day. Their photography and essays display a powerful message – one of struggle, perseverance and hope.

The Fledgling Fund Impact

We provided a one-time grant of $23,000 to support the production of Lightbox. This project not only gave voice to the young women of Binti Pamoja, it also provided an opportunity to support Binti Pamoja and provide opportunities for these young women to continue their education. The Binti Pamoja Center has created a safe space for teenage girls in Kibera and recognizes the unique set of needs that young women in Kibera have with few resources to support their empowerment or ambitions. The Center’s activities harness their energy, sense of hope and mutual understanding to create solutions to their challenges. With our grant, we could ensure that 100% of the proceeds from book sales will be used to fund scholarships for Binti Pamoja girls. To date, the project has raised over $75,000 for the Binti Pamoja Scholarship Fund.