Browsing by Author "Norbert, Lesa"

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    The Impact of Consumerism on Youth in Laini Saba Kibera-Nairobi
    (Tangaza University College, 2001-02) Norbert, Lesa
    Since 1998 I have been working in the Catholic Parish of Laini Saba, in the Kibera slum, with young people between the ages of 14 and 30 years. Kibera slums had a population of 600,000 in 1998, representing 25% of the whole Nairobi population. It is one of the most congested slum settlements in Kenya with an average population density of 2,300 persons per hectare. Laini Saba alone was estimated to have a population of 40,000 in 1998. Kibera is a conglomeration of temporary dwellings, most of which are small mud-plastered rooms. Usually one family lives in one room. It comprises nine villages; Shilanga, Lindi, Laini Saba, Soweto, Makina, Mashimoni, Gatwikira, Kisumu Ndogo and Kianda. Kibera's residents are marginalized, underpaid and unemployed poor people who have no social security and are exposed to all kinds of social abuses. They experience the bitter realities of poverty that cause gross inequality, deprivation and malnutrition.' The organization of this essay is around three topical areas, each of which are aspects of the question under study. The three areas each provide an opportunity to gain insight into possible answers to the question of consumerism. Chapter One will investigate consumerism and its implications. The definition of consumerism will be given as the basis for the whole essay. The history of consumerism in the West will be explored from different perspectives used by different scholars, each in search of an answer to when, how, and why consumerism began. Finally I will consider how consumerism has entered the fabric of an African society, and look at the effects on the African society in general. Chapter Two will look closely at the susceptibility of youth to the influence of consumerism. The sections to be tackled are: Youth as victims of consumerism, in which I will try to show how this group is the most at risk. I will also look at the influence of mass media on youth, with all the cultural changes it has brought. Consumerism and youth morality will be covered also, since this is in line with the effects of consumerism on the behaviour of young people. Finally, the last section will deal with youth and traditional African values. Traditional African values vary from place to place. The most noticeable ones, common to many cultures, are respect for elders, initiation rites, songs and the dances etc. Whether youth are for or against these African traditions will be my main concern. Chapter Three will tackle consumerism as a pastoral challenge. This part has two sections: the first, young people and the Church in the consumeristic society tackles the problem of the Church's response to the culture of modernity and youth. The second section will be on consumerism and new evangelization in a society affected by this culture of modernity. The understanding of the term "New Evangelization" will be dealt with as viewed by different people. Occasionally, I may have recourse to a general approach as far as the young people are concerned, and not to be restricted to Laini Saba group. This will be in line with the common characteristics of this group. Finally the terms `Kibera' and 'Laini Saba' will be used interchangeably, to mean only one thing, "slum", in my case Laini Saba village.