Uweza Gallery: A Youth-run Art Gallery in the Heart of Kibera, Kenya

The Uweza Gallery lies in the heart of Kibera, one of the largest informal settlements in the world, and is run by the Uweza Foundation - Uweza means 'you can' in Swahili. The gallery is a space for young people from the community to develop their talents and abilities, and also generate income through the sale of their art. Many coworking spaces, hotels, and households in Nairobi boast Uweza youth artwork on their walls! The Uweza Gallery also hosts art classes for kids and provides a safe space for young people to explore their creativity and independence, and be linked with opportunities provided by the Uweza Foundation, such as scholarships, economic empowerment programs, self-defence, and football coaching. On this tour, we'll visit the gallery together, see some of the art up-close, and hear from the artists themselves about what inspires their work, how their surroundings influence their creative outlets, and what their ambitions are for the future. All proceeds from this tour go to support the work of the Uweza Gallery and the Uweza Foundation. If you would like to find out more about Uweza, visit https://uwezakenya.org/