UN Chronicle Issue 1 2001: The Chronicle Library Shelf

Reviewed by Faith Musoga

Fixed in our minds is often the idea that slum dwellers are incapable or unwilling to improve their condition. This cynical idea is refuted by a photographic collection of pictures taken by the kids from the Mathare Valley Slum that are published in "Shootback". The images powerfully support calls for increased efforts to help the urban poor, now estimated as reaching 1 billion worldwide.

Shootback
Photos by Kids From the Nairobi Slums
Ed. by Lana Wong. London: Booth-Clibborn Editions, 1999
Mathare stands out as one of the largest slums in Nairobi, but the wide range of photographic subjects vividly illustrates the variety of ghetto life in Kenya, and indeed all over the world. "Shootback" furthermore sketches the diverse personalities of the kids as creative individuals, who capably illustrate such themes as work, play, crime and even death.

But the overarching theme that forms the backdrop to all portrayals in "Shootback" is poverty, which like an epidemic sprawls all over the slums. How can we fail to respond when we realize that having shoes is the most important object in your home? Or seeing pictures like those of children taking a dip in the polluted Nairobi River? Or of children playing on rubbish heaps? The pictures are disturbing, because in reality they also mirror how much our society has been regressing in recent years.

However, the pictures do not just portray a desperate situation but also document efforts by the slum dwellers to improve their conditions. The members and fans of the Mathare Football Club, a brainchild of the Mathare Youth Sports Association, are shown trying to kick their way out of hardship, playing against national teams and even winning some matches. Who said that poverty was a disability? By showing the humanity and dignity of the slum dwellers, the children's images challenge all concerned with urban and settlement issues to find innovative ways for swift action to lessen the adversity faced by those living in slums.

Learning about Urban Issues: UN CyberSchoolBus

With over half the world now living in urban centres, the city has taken on a much higher profile in the world's vision of the future. Yet, few would disagree that today's cities, in the developing as well as the developed world, are beset with serious problems. In many cases, they are adding to global problems, such as pollution, violence, difficult health issues and overpopulation. Though easily taken for granted, cities are one of humanity's most complex and sophisticated forms of social organization.

The United Nations Cyberschoolbus—the online component of the UN Global Teaching and Learning Project, an educational initiative of the Secretariat—offers high-quality learning materials about global issues for students ages 5 to 18, and teaching units for primary, intermediate and secondary school teachers.

One of Cyberschoolbus' enduringly popular curriculum projects is "Cities of Today, Cities of Tomorrow", which provides a systematic interactive study of cities for primary and secondary schools around the world. Its interdisciplinary curriculum involves a range of different subjects, such as history, social studies, geography, economics, government and environment. From a historical overview of urban development to specific studies of urban violence or homelessness, the six weekly units in this curriculum cover all major aspects of cities and their global and local importance. As students are guided through the issues with clear text and stimulating activities, they acquire the knowledge and skills to "construct" their own ideal city.

"Cities of Today, Cities of Tomorrow" has been specifically designed in tiers, with portions appropriate for grades 5 to 7, and others developed for 8 to 11. Grades 4 and 12 on either end of the spectrum will also benefit.

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