Nurse Lynette Bay spent 13 years in some of Africa’s most explosive regions before settling in Nairobi, Kenya.  Here she teaches literacy – to Muslims – in Africa’s biggest slum.

Hunched over and sad, Ayo*  stares at the book, her expression blank. Her headscarf slips and reveals an ugly scar.  New Zealander Lynette Bay repeats the sentence slowly. Teaching Kiswahili in Kibera slum isn’t easy; but then, Lynette isn’t one for cushy assignments.


Lynette works with Changing Times,a Kibera-based organisation focused on literacy, vocational training and basic health care for women.
“I saw a need and went after the need,” says the Kiwi nurse matter-of-factly. She says she was teaching health to Kibera women when God opened her eyes.

“He showed me that helping them to read and write would empower them and change them,” she says.

Speaking Truth

Teaching literacy in Kibera has also proven an effective way to engage the slum’s large Muslim population. Five of Lynette’s 12 clients come from traditionally Islamic backgrounds including the austere Somali and Borana people groups.

Lynette says most women learn to read and write to better their “downtrodden” position in a male-dominated society. Illiteracy precludes many women from work altogether. They find it difficult to get involved in the community, or even to help their children succeed at school.

Lynette works with Changing Times, a Kenyan organization committed to literacy, vocational training, healthcare and spiritual development. She describes the Kibera headquarters as “neutral,” unidentified by steeple or cross. The hope is to draw in and encourage Muslim participation—despite a Bible-based curriculum.

Tricky passages

Of course, there have been challenges in this slum ministry—some of them serious.

Continuity is always a struggle since many women become overwhelmed by responsibilities at home. But there is also opposition from hardline Muslims.

“She believed the lies,” says Lynette.“Probably the toughest thing was having [Elema*]  , a Muslim-background-believer I’ve worked with for eight years, walk out of my life,” says Lynette. Last year Elema’s ex-husband sent a death threat to Elema and Lynette. He and other elements in the Borana community were angered by the Christian message infiltrating their community.

“She believed the lies,” explains Lynette.

Overall, however, Lynette and her teammates enjoy a good reputation in Kibera—both with neighbours and local authorities. Lynette says people have been affected by Changing Times’ impartial outreach.

Even the Borana.

Translation: Hope

Despite conspicuous pockets of resistance, many in the Borana community are pleased with the missionary who teaches literacy. However slow to accept the message, most revere the messenger.

Here in Kibera slum, Lynette is encouraged by women like Ayo; women learning how to read and write—and asking big questions along the way.

“My Borona name is Mother of Hope,” says Lynette. “I guess I’m hopeful that I’m going to see some of these ladies in heaven around the throne.”

*Names have been changed to protect identity

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