From Zero to Hero

Role models from Nairobi

Everyone faces difficulties in life. What can help in a difficult and contradictory situation? What gives you the strength to believe that you can get through it?

From Zero to Hero brings Nairobi to Espoo – and to Finnish school classrooms. Young people who grew up homeless in Nairobi are now adults. They have broken free from the cycle of crime and substance abuse, created jobs and rented their own homes. They are living examples that change for the better is possible in life.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to visit a nail studio in Nairobi, a vegetable stall and a car wash. At the same time, Amina Nyiva (in the photo), Stephen Maina, Jashon Mumbo and other Kenyan mentors in the exhibition will share their life experiences. The Kenyan team has studied the situation of young people in Finland and tailored an empathetic experience that aims to offer empathising and hope-generating insights.

The exhibition has been produced with development cooperation funds from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Finnish NGO Taksvärkki ry and the Kenyan NGO Undugu Society of Kenya.

Crack the code!  – new content for young people 

Three new videos have been added to the From Zero to Hero exhibition! Find the codes, scan them on your phone, and watch videos about the lives of young people in Nairobi. Join them for grocery shopping, visiting homes, and pondering the basics of life. The young activists challenge you to think and give advice on life. 
 
Understanding structures is not just for adults; young people can also notice, question, and point out problems.  
— Reyhaneh, 17 years, part of the working group in Finland 

Are you ready to see the world in a new way?   
Do you see the links between poverty and inequality?
What role does gender play in this?  
How would you like to make the world better?
What if we start together today? 
 
Stories of Hope, Tools for Change project addresses inequality, the root causes of global challenges, and ways to have an impact for a better world. The working group includes young people from Finland and Kenya. Our partners are Pakolaisnuorten tuki ry and Undugu Society of Kenya.

We are part of the Connect for Global Change EU project, which is implemented simultaneously in 11 European countries. The aim of the project is to bring young people together to make the world more equal and sustainable. The project is coordinated in Finland by Fingo. 

Working group  

Young activists in Kenia: Nena Arita, Brian Latepa, Peris Lila, Stephen Maina, Jashon Mumbo, Mohammed Ngei, Amina Nyiva, Oliver Otieno 
Young activists in Finland: Amir Akhlaghi, Ritika Devi, Amir Heidari, Reyhaneh Husseini, Aate Mattila, Rouhullah Mohammadi, Mohammad Rezaei, Pinja Tarmi 
Journalist-facilitator: Kaisa Viitanen 
Cinematographer: Elijah Kanyi  
Video editing: Anna-Sofia Sysser
Graphic design: Hanna Siira
Project coordinator: Anna-Sofia Sysser, Helinä Rautavaaran museo 
Warm thanks! Inka Lehtonen, Raymond Otieno, Rosa Puhakainen

Photo of this article: Brian Inganga