contextuaL interviews

Nairobi Children interview:

Question: Where do you sleep at night?

Answer: We stay in Kawangware (an area in Nairobi predominantly known for the dichotomy between low to medium income housing) at night, so we commute every day from morning to evening.

Question: Do you live with your parents?

Answer: Yes, we live together with our parents in Kawangware.

Question: What are the main challenges at home?

Answer: Mainly financial, we don’t have enough money for school fees and food.

Question: Is where you live/ stay at night safe?

Answer: Not always, but when we’re with our parents we always feel safe.

Question: What made you choose this area as your preferred location to hang around?

Answer: Our parents told us a lot of big cars come here to fuel and a lot of people also shop around here, so we thought it was a good place to try and get some money.

Question: If we were to help you, what would be the main thing you would require?

Answer: Our main problem is not having enough school fees, so we can’t go to school.

Question: Are your parents okay with you doing this?

Answer: Our parents don’t have anything, so we also need to help provide for the home otherwise some of us can also be chased away from home.

Frankfurt Interview:

H: Let's start. First of all, perhaps you can tell me your names.

A: Alfred and that one over there is called Michel.

M: Like Michel from Lönneberga, very easy to remember.

A: Or Holzmichel!

H: Okay, thank you. I'll remember it. First question: Where do you usually sleep?

A: Outside!

H: Right here on the street or somewhere else?

M: I've only been here in Frankfurt since yesterday.

H: And? What do you think? How do you like it so far?

A: Everything here has become very different. In the last 20 years that I've known Frankfurt, a lot has changed.

H: Has it got worse or better?

A: Worse, much worse! They robbed me on Friday and it really pissed me off - excuse me for saying so. They stole my fanny pack with my money and everything important in it.

H: Damn, I'm sorry about that.

A: Yes, everything gone. ID and the rest. Now if a police check comes up and they ask me for my ID, I won't even have anything to show them.

H: When did this happen? While you were asleep?

A: Yes, exactly. But it is also very difficult in general. I got to know Frankfurt back then, when I was still really young, everything was different.

H: Unfortunately, I've heard that several times now, that it's only getting worse here.

M: You only have to go to the main station district - there at the main station, on Kaiserstraße - you can see everything. But I'll give you a good tip. Just don't go there at night.

H: Yes, we didn't intend to.

M: If you do, go during the day, because it wouldn't be safe at night. We don't want anything to happen to you.

H: Thanks, we'll be careful! Another question: Would you say that there is a big difference between living on the street as a man or as a woman?

M: Yes, my wife here (points to a woman sitting a few metres away) is always very scared.

H: Okay, so it probably makes sense to always be on the move together, doesn't it?

A: Well, I'm travelling alone now.

M: You are also a man!

A: I met this one (Michel) by chance. But otherwise I travel alone. I know how to defend myself. (points to his fist)