Leaving No One Behind: A Photovoice Case Study on Vulnerability and Wellbeing of Children Heading Households in Two Informal Settlements in Nairobi

Robinson Karuga, Rosie Steege, Inviolata Njoroge, Millicent Liani, Neele Wiltgen Georgi, Lilian Otiso, Nelly Muturi, Linet Atieno Okoth, Sally Theobald and Rachel Tolhurst
Additional contact information
Robinson Karuga: LVCT Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 19835-00202, Kenya
Rosie Steege: London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Inviolata Njoroge: LVCT Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 19835-00202, Kenya
Millicent Liani: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
Neele Wiltgen Georgi: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
Lilian Otiso: LVCT Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 19835-00202, Kenya
Nelly Muturi: LVCT Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 19835-00202, Kenya
Linet Atieno Okoth: LVCT Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 19835-00202, Kenya
Sally Theobald: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
Rachel Tolhurst: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK

Social Sciences, 2022, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: Children heading households (CHH) in urban informal settlements face specific vulnerabilities shaped by limitations on their opportunities and capabilities within the context of urban inequities, which affect their wellbeing. We implemented photovoice research with CHHs to explore the intersections between their vulnerabilities and the social and environmental context of Nairobi’s informal settlements. We enrolled and trained four CHHs living in two urban informal settlements—Korogocho and Viwandani—to utilise smartphones to take photos that reflected their experiences of marginalisation and what can be done to address their vulnerabilities. Further, we conducted in-depth interviews with eight more CHHs. We applied White’s wellbeing framework to analyse data. We observed intersections between the different dimensions of wellbeing, which caused the CHHs tremendous stress that affected their mental health, social interactions, school performance and attendance. Key experiences of marginalisation were lack of adequate food and nutrition, hazardous living conditions and stigma from peers due to the limited livelihood opportunities available to them. Despite the hardships, we documented resilience among CHH. Policy action is required to take action to intervene in the generational transfer of poverty, both to improve the life chances of CHHs who have inherited their parents’ marginalisation, and to prevent further transfer of vulnerabilities to their children. This calls for investing in CHHs’ capacity for sustaining livelihoods to support their current and future independence and wellbeing.

Keywords: children heading households; urban informal settlements; marginalisation; generational poverty; urban slums (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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