Escaping a life on a dumpsite with classical music
Simon Karuiki Ndungu grew up in a dumpsite slum, and became involved in the local gangs. Music was his ticket out.
Like many young people in his community, Simon Karuiki Ndungu grew up scavenging for things he could sell. His home was Korogocho, a Nairobi slum situated next to the city's main dumpsite. The poisonous gases and toxic water weren't the only hazards - there was violence as well. Rival gangs fought for control over the dumpsite, and by the time he was 8 years old Simon was running guns for them. Then, as a teenager, Simon started turning his life around. An organisation at the edge of the dump, Ghetto Classics, introduced him to classical music and the saxophone. The instrument would help him process the hardships around him, and his new love of music would be Simon's ticket out of the slum.
Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Eric Mugaju
Photo: Simon Karuiki Ndungu
Credit: Ghetto Classics/Rich Allela
Podcast
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The Outlook Podcast Archive
True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives
