Country

Kenya

Inuka Cultural Center
& Guillaume Binet

Aerial view of a dense informal settlement with corrugated metal roofs — An alley cutting through the dense maze of Kibera, one of Africa’s largest informal settlements.

A red and yellow train at a station surrounded by students — Schoolchildren weave through Kibera’s busy streets as the commuter train links the settlement to central Nairobi.

Four young students standing against a weathered wall — Students make their way home through the lively streets of Kibera after school.

Group of children of varying ages standing against a wall — Boys gather in a Kibera street, watching the rhythm of daily life unfold around them.

Street gathering with children in white uniforms standing in a circle holding hands — Children form a lively capoeira roda in the streets of Kibera.

Group of children in white uniforms — Inuka’s young capoeiristas gather in the street for a joyful roda.

Youth in white clothing practicing acrobatic backflips — A capoeira session led by Salim Rollins brings movement and focus to the youth.

Indoor capoeira training session — Salim Rollins guides local youth through an energetic capoeira class.

Multiple youth in white clothing performing acrobatic backbends — Young participants train in capoeira under the guidance of Salim Rollins.

Outdoor acrobatic performance with youth performing backflips — A capoeira roda unfolds in the streets of Kibera, drawing children from the neighborhood.

Group acrobatic performance with youth in white — Kids circle into a spirited capoeira roda in a Kibera street.

Indoor gymnasium with teal walls where youth in white clothing perform synchronized backflips — Victor Odhiambo leads a vibrant hip-hop session that energizes local youth.

Indoor activity space with teal walls where children and youth of various ages interact — A hip-hop workshop led by Victor Odhiambo sparks creativity and confidence.

Street scene in an informal settlement — A narrow alley offers a glimpse into the everyday rhythms of Kibera.

Street gathering with youth performing acrobatic backflips — Street dancers from the Slum Dance Africa program perform under the guidance of Victor Odhiambo.

Youth performing acrobatic handstands on a marked outdoor surface — Young performers from Slum Dance Africa express themselves through street dance.

Street gathering with youth in t-shirts during an outdoor performance — A capoeira roda animates the streets of Kibera, gathering children of all ages.

Interior of a modest home showing clothing hanging on lines — A glimpse into the winding alleys that shape the daily landscape of Kibera.

Interior of a simple home with fabric draped from ceiling — A quiet moment around the Inuka Centre, where youth gather to learn and grow.

Indoor capoeira session with youth gathered around a large wooden drum — A capoeira session led by Salim Rollins brings movement and skill-building to Inuka’s youth.

Narrow alleyway in an informal settlement with corrugated metal structures — A narrow Kibera alley reveals the community’s dense and vibrant structure.

Bright yellow corrugated metal storefront with pink dress hanging on the window — A clothes seller stands along a Kibera alley lined with makeshift stalls.

Woman performing pull-ups on a yellow chin-up bar in a settlement courtyard during golden hour — Children play outside Inuka’s entrance, turning the space into a lively gathering point.

Young person with backpack viewed from behind standing on muddy ground — A child calls out to his mother at the school gate amid the bustle of Kibera.

Evening street scene in brick settlement buildings painted ochre and yellow — Kibera at night, where lights and shadows trace the contours of the settlement.

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Kenya – Inuka Cultural Centre

In the heart of Kibera, Nairobi’s largest informal settlement, young people are carving out spaces of hope and expression. At the Inuka Cultural Centre, dance floors double as safe havens, capoeira circles become classrooms, and girls’ empowerment groups spark new possibilities for the future.

In July 2025, The PhotoBridge Project worked with photographer Guillaume Binet to capture these moments of resilience and creativity. His images tell the story of a community where art is more than performance — it is a language of resistance, pride, and possibility.

The stories revealed here show how young people and their families, despite material challenges, find dignity and outlet through creative expression in street dance and capoeira. They are also a testament to the determination of Inuka’s founders and the deep-rooted strength of the Kibera community.

About Inuka Cultural Centre

The Inuka Cultural Centre, based in Kibera, Nairobi, is a community hub where young people come together to learn, create, and grow.

Through dance, capoeira, music, and storytelling, Inuka offers safe spaces for children and youth to build confidence, develop skills, and strengthen community bonds. A central part of its mission is empowering girls and young women — providing mentorship, education, and platforms for leadership that help them challenge inequality and imagine new futures. Beyond performance, the centre promotes resilience and social change, turning creativity into a force for transformation across the community.