Cast & crew

An Unexpected Family: Story from a Slum

2010
46m

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An Unexpected Family: story from a slum tells the story of three inspiring people connected to the Lenana Slum, Nairobi. Their lives are filled with struggle and heartache but also equally with laughter and joy.

In the heart of the Lenana, is an early childhood centre run by Canadian, Hanne Howard. While on sabbatical in Kenya, Hanne experienced a life changing encounter with a mother and baby dying of HIV. Despite HanneÂ’s efforts both died. Hanne gave up her life in Canada and created the Hanne Howard Fund (HHF). The daily struggles are immense but now over one hundred children, including those with HIV, are fed daily, attend school and receive medical treatment.

Duncan Muindi represents all that is good and potentially bad in the slum. He is an astonishingly talented artist but this was almost wasted. Now in his mid-twenties Duncan flirted with alcoholism, drug abuse and a life of crime. Hanne offered him an opportunity to volunteer as an art teacher. Duncan has flourished and is now a permanent teacher at the HHF. Duncan realises that he has to work hard to catch up but he has a genuine thirst for knowledge and for a better lifer.

Benson ObayangeÂ’s life is an example of what is possible for Duncan. Benson is soft spoken man who grew up in a tin shack with his family in a nearby slum. His alcoholic and unemployed father was rarely present. Sponsored by a local NGO Benson was fortunate to receive an education and avoid following in the footsteps of many young men from the slum. Today he is an IT consultant with a wife and two young children. Benson understands first hand the challenges of the slum but is living proof that a better future is possible.

These captivating people are indelibly connected to Lenana and represent all that is possible for the slum and it's people. An Unexpected Family: story from a slum tells the story of how hardship, challenges and, most importantly, hope binds their lives together.

Play trailer1:02

Sometimes fate has different plans for your life then the ones you imagined. Hanne Howard was a typical mother leading a suburban life when while on safari in Kenya she had a chance encounte... Read allSometimes fate has different plans for your life then the ones you imagined. Hanne Howard was a typical mother leading a suburban life when while on safari in Kenya she had a chance encounter in the Lenana Slum, Kenya that changed her life. Now her project in Lenana has become he... Read allSometimes fate has different plans for your life then the ones you imagined. Hanne Howard was a typical mother leading a suburban life when while on safari in Kenya she had a chance encounter in the Lenana Slum, Kenya that changed her life. Now her project in Lenana has become her life's work. More intriguing, Hanne, the children and the people connected to the projec... Read all