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“Ashé: A Failed Project” / 2018
What happens when a story you set out to capture no longer exists? When the person at the heart of your mission has vanished, leaving only the echo of a deafening silence? This was the dilemma I faced in 2018 when I arrived in Kibera, Nairobi’s sprawling slum, alongside journalist Alejandro Fuentes. Our intention was to document the life of Mama Tunza, a woman whose dedication to caring for orphaned children had made a significant impact in the community. However, upon arrival, we found the orphanage empty. Mama Tunza was gone, and with her departure, the essence of the place we had come to capture slipped away.
As we delved into this new narrative, we encountered Princess, a young girl who had lived in Mama Tunza’s orphanage. She recounted how, after Mama Tunza passed away, the funding that had sustained the orphanage ceased to arrive. With no order to guide them, the community began to unravel. One by one, the children and caregivers departed, leaving only Princess, her mother, and her two younger siblings. The fragility of legacies became painfully clear through her story. Princess emerged as a symbol of resilience amid abandonment.
That could have marked the end of our journey—a bitter conclusion to a mission that began with high expectations. Yet, we decided that this was not the moment to give up. Instead of abandoning our search, we embarked on a new exploration, guided by Nairobi comedian Jason Runo. This time, we set our sights northward, immersing ourselves in the lives and landscapes of the Samburu tribe.
In this context, Ashé: A Failed Project transforms from a testimony of an original mission's disappearance into a reflection on life’s unpredictability and the human capacity for adaptation. The narrative shifted, and instead of finding answers, I unearthed deeper questions about the meaning of existence and the struggle to keep the memory of those who have departed alive. Through the Samburu, Mama Tunza’s story resonates, evolving into an echo that invites us to reflect on the power of community, loss, and hope.
