Wycliffe Oduor is a young Kenyan man from Kibra slums who converted trash into a business that brought in money.

Born and raised in the Kibra slums, Wyclife Oluoch started collecting empty beer cans as a youngster in an effort to lessen environmental pollution in the heavily populated slum.

Oluoch came together with his two friends Wycliffe and Savior, set out on a mission to combat poverty and pollution in their community.

The three turned the metal into art, which they then marketed, in contrast to other collectors who would have sold the cans as scrap metal.

Oluoch later established Sun Valley Art Collective, which would later be utilized to instruct other young people in the arts.

Oluoch was engulfed in flames in his Kibera house just before his second birthday. Any assistance would take longer than usual in a neighborhood that was particularly inaccessible due to the congested structures.

Despite all chances, he managed to survive, however he had scars that would always be a part of him.

Oluoch suffered severe burn injuries and required 17 operations to remove the scars. His struggles continued after that.

Because of the color of his skin, he was bullied frequently as he grew older. His cousin initially stepped in to defend him, but as his cousin passed away, he would eventually be forced to confront his enemies by himself.

As he sought to change the world, he found refuge in trash cans. He started with his neighborhood, following the adage “if you want a clean world, begin by sweeping your doorway.”

Oluoch and his buddies have significantly decreased Kibra’s pollution from metallic waste as of late. They have also improved the lives of other young people by teaching them skills that would enable them to make money.

Sun Valley Art Collective