The Beginning

I asked my mother what she wanted to be growing up. Without delay she answered- an air hostess. From the way she carries herself, effortlessly floating from one place to the other with a radiant smile, it is obvious she would have made a great one. Her beautiful demeanor is like a ray of sun on a cold morning, something everyone should experience in a lifetime.

Growing up, she never had access to the best education and could not afford to pursue her grand dreams. Married at the age of 19, she had me-her first child- at 20. I was quickly followed by 3 siblings in less than 4 years.

Widowed at 31, she raised all her children and took in a fifth one on a meager secretary's salary. Everyday was a struggle and she would cry endlessly each night after she had put us all to bed. We never saw her pain, she wore a brave face every morning and prayed like crazy.

Shortly thereafter,the company she worked for had a massive retrenchment and she was among the people sent home. Back to square one. Lost and confused, she turned to prayer.

After numerous consultations, she decided to start a bookshop using the package she got from work. Slowly, she learnt how to do business...one day at a time. Her easy way with people started paying off. You could tell from the way customers left the shop, happier than when they walked in.

Our conversation inspired me to make a few mothers' dreams come true. With the help of a dedicated team we came together to make five mothers from Kibera (the largest urban slum in Africa) experience their dream careers.

Do you know what your mother wanted to be growing up?

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Thanks to the organizations below for their support:

Canon Kenya - Photo & Video equipment

Bata Kenya - providing shoes for the Mothers

Chapa Copy - Photo Prints

Ngeri, Omiti & Bush Advocates LLC , Wasonga Khan - Lawyers outfit

 

Credits

Created by – Rich Allela

Executive Producer – Sandra Mutuku

Assistant Producer – Riziki Ambrose

Director of Photography – Enock Oyoo

Assistant Director – Dano Kiriro

Assistant DOP – Lorella Jowi

Costume designer – David Avido

Make-up artist – Michelle Ngonje

Hair stylist – George Ochieng

Fixer – Dennis Baqteria

BTS- Dennis Muigai

Air Hostess – Monica Anyango

Chef – Millicent Lainora

Nurse- Mary Magdalene

Lawyer- Mary Achieng

Soldier- Beth Akinyi

 

Equipment used.

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon C100

Canon 24-70mm F.2.8 II Lens

Canon 50mm F1.8 II Lens

Canon 16-35mm F2.8 III Lens

Canon 70-200mm F2.8 II Lens

 

Media Requests

Feel free to quote and publish the photos on your online publication (please credit & link back to the original).  High-rez press images, and more can be found in this google drive link- https://goo.gl/yXbFY6

Commercial requests and rights: [email protected] , [email protected]
Interview requests: [email protected], [email protected]

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