The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community

by Nihar Suthar

The poignant and inspiring true story of three young Kenyans who fought to transform their slum and improve the lives of those around them.

Korogocho is one of Kenya’s darkest slums, plagued by gang violence, food and water shortages, and rampant pollution. Most children have no future except for scavenging through trash piles or resorting to lives of crime. One day, a boy named Daniel Onyango decided to do more, creating a band called the Hope Raisers to inspire the kids of Korogocho. His friend, Mutura Kuria, quickly joined in.

In The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community, Nihar Suthar tells the amazing story of how Daniel and Mutura turned the band into a platform for change. They started teaching children on the streets how to express themselves through art and established a skating team after finding a pair of rollerblades in the dump. Suthar closely follows the story of one rebellious girl, Lucy Achieng, who refused to get married off at a young age and instead used competitive rollerblading to reach for her dreams. Lucy continues to inspire girls to stand up for themselves and challenge the longstanding practices in Korogocho of early marriage and prostitution.

The Hope Raisers is an eye-opening look into a world of poverty and violence where children receive only a basic education and are left with little to no means to get out. Yet it also reveals the remarkable impact that a few determined individuals can have on their community, even in the most challenging of conditions.

Part of the proceeds from all book sales will be donated to the Hope Raisers and toward improving the slum of Korogocho.

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Kenya

184 pages, Hardcover

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

Nihar Suthar is an award-winning writer, covering inspirational stories around the world.

Reviews

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational book about young residents of one of the worst slums in Kenya and how they helped to encourage girls and boys to better themselves. Through the different life stories, music, and rollerblading, the author relays the stories of the residents of Korogocho. A book filled with hope, heart, and humility. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for this ARC.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

little community that could. The book rose from an intriguing article about a group of skaters in Kenya, and proceeds will help support Hope Raisers initiatives.
It’s always a challenge to read about other cultures from our American standpoint, but at least we have a chance to learn. Too many other people around the world do not.
The author describes life in an African neighborhood slum where gang wars over garbage dumping rights at a place that also provides means for the lucky who find food and things to sell. It is a life of so little that treating others viciously is their main method of coping. Depravity is the law of the land, and I cannot help but wonder how that could possibly change in a culture so dry of dignity and respect across gender and class.
Readers follow Mama Bonie and her family as she makes the best of life and raises her children in a faith-based community for the first few chapters. At church, son Mutura meets a friend, Daniel, who makes music and learns about world government. They form a group, Hope Raisers, with a goal to encourage awareness of the poverty and violence and find help to renovate the area and maybe even build a school. They learn of opportunities to get involved in movements that could offer a chance to rise from abject lack. Their music video raises attention to their plight and gets them funding, but unfortunately gang and tribal violence in 2008 set back their efforts. Beset with a lack of understanding and connectivity between greater government and their Slum Upgrading Programme, efforts to improve life for those in the slums moved forward and back in herky-jerky pace.
When Daniel and Mutura learned about roller-blading, they brought the sport back to their neighborhood, and along with their friend Lucy, a star soccer player, form competitive skating leagues. Who would have thought that team skating provides a great change than a pile of money to fund ineffective programs?
Using dialog in this work of creative nonfiction, Suthar shares this unique story of raising hopes for children of the slums. Included is a discussion guide and extensive bibliography. Recommended for readers who want to learn of other cultures and are looking for involvement opportunities. I was given a review copy.

[Cassandra Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear reader, you will be drawn into the world of Korogocho— unable to look away— within the first few paragraphs. The author has incredibly vivid writing that transports you through time and space to truly exist in the book’s storyline.

The story is extraordinary in itself. What’s even better about the story is how the author positions himself and documents this wondrous series of events.

So often authors place a Western lens when writing about impoverished areas. They either glorify poverty or portray it in a way for the westernized world to pity those in the setting. In the latter, they place themselves as either potential saviours who have brought attention to the area (for others to help) or as simple observers of a situation too dire to do anything other than mourn the abject poverty in which those in the story live. Suthar does none of this.

The story unfolds in a manner that does not undercut the seriousness of poverty. But also, it does not read akin to “The American Dream.” Suthar stays true to the heart of the story — a miraculous tale where hope literally rises from a dumpsite controlled by gangs.

The writing and courage of these young Kenyans will settle into your very bones, and make you evaluate your immediate settings and position in life. You might the dream about how you might be hope for others— in your backyard or abroad.

[Karan Sachan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring true story! Nihar is a master storyteller. I loved the way how each character builds up and elevates the entire community. Having someone who grew up in poverty in India, I could relate so much to the story line. I highly highly recommend it to all.

[Jan C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-researched book includes statistics and history but places real people in the dismal slum setting.

Suthar depicts the trash pickers’ plight from their perspective, showing the toxic conditions and other dangers they accept as normal. The reader feels the hard work and cost at which they provide even the most meagre food for their families. I quickly came to root for Mama Bonie and her caring and resourceful son, Mutura.

I found the strong bond of friendship and mutual support among slum dwellers inspiring in itself, especially seeing Mutura and his friends Daniel and Lucy work so hard to bring change and hope to their community. These resilient young people adapt to every setback and just keep going.

I love the way the friends’ focus on rollerblading grows from seeing it as a distraction from poverty and crime, to using it as a vehicle to bring slum dwellers’ gazes outward, to encourage them to dream of a bright future, and to start them on the road to self-sufficiency.

Suthar uses quite a lot of exposition, but balances it with enough direct scenes that the people and their efforts are still engaging. I recommend this book for its heart and the perspective it offers.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange only for an honest review.

[Claudia Moscovici · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Talmud states: “Whoever destroys a soul, it is as if he destroyed the whole world. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved the whole world” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:9, Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Sanhedrin 37a). A few enterprising and resilient teenagers born in Korogocho, one of Kenya’s poorest slums near the capital Nairobi, saved more than a life: they offered a ray of hope to an entire generation of young people living in poverty and despair. Nihar Suthar’s new book, The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform their Slum and Inspire a Community (Rowman & Littlefield Publishing, 2022) describes how two young men (Daniel Onyango and Mutura Kuria) and a young woman (Lucy Achieng) created artistic and athletic opportunities for kids and teenagers in one of Kenya’s poorest and most downtrodden areas: the Korogocho slum. This was no small feat, given that most inhabitants survived by picking through the enormous trash dumpster located in their community. Worse still, living in the slum offered young people grim prospects for the future. Many teenage girls were condemned to a life of prostitution and many boys to a life of gang crime and violence.

The Republic of Kenya has come a long way since it gained its independence from British rule in 1963 and transitioned to a multiparty democracy in 1991. While still struggling with poverty, autocratic tendencies in their leaders and corruption, in 2010 Kenya made a leap forward. The country passed a new constitution that limited presidential powers and became a presidential representative democratic republic with independent judiciary and legislative (Parliament) branches of government. During the past fifteen years, the Kenyan government has invested heavily in improving the country’s infrastructure and information technology as well as addressed climate change by encouraging low carbon emissions (Vision 2030).

While the country has seen a lot of progress, Kenya still struggles with widespread poverty as well as a high rate of child labor and prostitution, particularly in its poorest areas. Child labor is especially common in agricultural regions. Moreover, in a study conducted in 2006, UNICEF estimated that about 30 percent of girls between the ages of 9 and 18 in coastal cities are subject to prostitution. In poor urban areas, prostitution among girls and membership in gangs among boys offers young people one of the few paths to survival.

It’s precisely these immense hardships and challenges that motivated two teenage boys from Korogocho, Daniel and Mutura, to find better alternatives for youths in the slum. The young men first started a musical group with instruments provided by the local church community center. Through composing songs, they found a creative way to channel both their sense of hopelessness and their hopes. Rather than singing in the popular styles of music they heard on the radio– the hip hop and rap songs that describe mostly the lives of wealthy pop stars–they created more realistic music and lyrics that addressed some of the problems young people in Korogocho faced: poverty, hunger, crime and a sense of hopelessness. Their musical group gained so much popularity in the area that, over the years, the boys expanded their creative activities into other arts.

One day, digging through the enormous trash pile, one of them found a pair of roller blades. This gave the boys another idea: to learn to skate and teach some of the younger kids and teenagers in the neighborhood how to skate. The sport became so popular among young men in Korogocho that Daniel and Mutura had to solicit donations for many more skates to keep up with the growing number of kids that wanted to participate in their roller skating club. While only boys participated initially, one teenage girl, Lucy, joined them. She didn’t want to take the usual path of teenage girls raised in the slum: early marriage and having children young or a life of prostitution. Determined to forge a better future for herself, she was the first girl to participate in the roller skating club started by her friends, Daniel and Mutura. Soon younger girls joined her and she patiently taught them how to skate as well. Lucy practiced hours a day and persevered after every setback. Eventually, she became so good at the sport that she ended up representing Kenya in international skating competitions and winning awards and monetary prizes, which she in turn used to expand and train the girls’ skating team.

The author, Nihar Suthar, initially found out about these exceptional teenagers from an article. Convinced that these personal interest stories deserved more attention, he traveled several times to Kenya to meet with and interview Daniel, Mutura and Lucy. He was so impressed with their resilience, optimism and ingenuity in the face of incredible hardship that he wrote a book about them. And not just any book: The Hope Raisers not only presents one of the most inspirational life stories you will read, but also it’s written in such an engaging, personalized and eloquent manner that it’s bound to attract the wide, international audience that this extraordinary group of young people deserve.

Claudia Moscovici, Literature Salon

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Mead famously once said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Nihar Suthar's The Hope Raisers shows just how true Mead's statement is. This short work of non-fiction for middle grade and younger high school readers is an inspiring story of a group of teens and younger children in one of Kenya's poorest slums who took it upon themselves to make life less dismal and provide a positive avenue out of their dire situations: through music, other artistic activities, and the sport of rollerblading.

I have long been a proponent of providing younger readers with both mirrors and windows in the material they read, something I adamantly encouraged my teacher prep students to focus on when I was teaching Children's and Young Adult literature. The more younger readers see themselves in books AND are exposed to other cultures in an authentic way, the less they will be apt to become insulated and dismissive or even hostile when they encounter the world outside their classrooms and communities. Culturally responsive and sensitive material in middle and high school environments are CRITICAL - never more so than in our current world.

Suthar doesn't shy away from the negative aspects and situations facing the people he wrote about. He doesn't romanticize their poor conditions or mitigate the political and social corruption present in their society, and this is important in this book: it's not about sweeping all the bad under the carpet. Additionally, he focuses on telling THEIR story through THEIR own lens, not a rosy colored outsider's paternalistic or "savior" point of view. These kids found their way on their own with support from local and Kenyan national resources, although they were able to eventually tap into a more global reach - and that is the beauty of this story: their perseverance and ability to adjust their tactics as situations and setbacks occurred. This is a story told from the inside, even though the author isn't part of the community. His dedication to providing a non-editorialized account is remarkable!

The writing is matter of fact and not embellished with flowery structure, perfect for the middle grade readers it's intended for. The chapters are short enough so that one chapter could be read in one classroom session that can then generate great discussion. The whole book could be read in a week as a class assignment, or two or three chapters in one week with the rest assigned for independent reading outside class. Suthar provides some great discussion questions for in-class conversation or that can be used as essay prompts. He also provides facts about Kenya and the community featured in the story as well as an update on the children and their activities to show that the initiatives are still ongoing, but also the challenges they still face. There is also a website students/teachers can visit to see what is happening with the Hope Raisers as well as how they themselves can take inspiration or receive tips about engaging in their own community initiatives.

We SO need more books like this from more writers. There is a deficit of really good non-fiction material for this age group that sparks curiosity and empathy and can inspire young people. I applaud Suthar for his ongoing mission to write these kinds of stories!

I thank Nihar Suthar, Rowman & Littlefield publishers, and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Raisers is a book about a group of young Kenyan kids from the slums who managed through a chain of random events to turn their lives for the better. The first thing I gotta say is that I didn’t grow up in a fancy situation myself, it was the time of the Soviet Union collapse and the resources were scarce and the family of my dad’s best friends was killed all 4 of them one day in some mafia heated dispute, but compared to the daily lives of African families in the slums like Korogocho, we lived like kings. I have seen with my own eyes how poor people can be in Africa by traveling through different regions of the South African republic, and access to drinking water and electricity even these days is a luxury for many.

The author introduces us to the story that is set in the outskirts of Nairobi, some polluted and god-forgotten place filled with crimes, disease, unemployment and, generally speaking, no bright future in sight. The main occupation of the population of the slum is sorting through the trash from the land field, doing some unofficial recycling of recyclable materials, and reselling items to those who managed to make some money to buy them. The political situation is dire, corruption is soaring, no hope to change the situation in any shape or form but still, there is a church, and there is a group of young kids who got together to form a musical band with the idea to spread the message of hope. One thing leads to another, and in a chain of political decisions poorly fit for the location, the slum gets their road paved (despite the absolute lack of transportation due to the population’s inability to afford any kind of vehicles). So out of the land field come rollerblades, and these two elements change the life of the community forever making some of the kids excel so much that they are able to afford professional education and a chance to live some sort of normal life (at least according to our western standards).

What I liked about this book the most was the description of Lucy’s travel experiences, how she got to be on a plane for the first time, or how a long-haul bus seemed to be an ultimate luxury, seeing the sea for the first time in her life... small things that make big differences for simple people.

Generally, it is thankfully a feel-good book about a community that manages to improve, though not without having to face dark times in the process. I surely do hope that the characters in this book continue to change the world for the better and motivate others to choose the path of competition and hard work.

P.S. as a photographer, I definitely appreciated the images that were input by the author at the start of each chapter.

[Mary E Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community by Nihar Suthar, is an eye-opening account of determination to effect change in one of the largest slum neighborhoods of Nairobi, Kenya.

Korogocho, home to about 200,000 pressed into 1.5 square kilometers, is known for its extreme poverty, food and water shortages, and rampant pollution. Children and adults daily pick through trash at the huge Dandora dumpsite hoping to find food for their families, or recyclables they can resell. It is a village where gang violence prevails, where poverty and scant education make it almost impossible for young people to find a way toward a better future.

Out of this poverty, three teens decided to make changes in their community, changes that would bring hope and inspire young people to make more of their lives. Daniel Onyango created a band, a musical group called the Hope Raisers, to inspire the kids of Korogocho. He was quickly joined by his friend, Mutura Kuria. They began teaching children how to express themselves through art and music.

After finding a pair of discarded rollerblades in the dump, the teens learned that the strange-looking roller skates were used in competition. They scrapped together more pairs of rollerblades, cobbling together parts to make useable pairs. Sometimes they stuffed rags into the toes of the rollerblade shoes so that the smaller children could skate.

In the meantime, streets around Korogocho were paved, a ridiculous expense since no one had a car, or even a motorcycle. The boys organized play times practicing on the unused paved streets. They formed regular practice hours and took the sport seriously. In order to participate, children had to attend school, thus assuring that children were bettering themselves in more than a sport. The leaders sought donations and applied for grants enabling them to purchase equipment and compete in organized contests.

Lucy Achieng, a young girl who refused to fall victim to an early marriage, tried this new sport and found her talent. She helped others achieve success at competitions. They gradually worked their way toward participating in Roller Games World Championship in China.

The Hope Raisers is an inspiring account of how a few people can effect change in an impoverished community. These three young Kenyans were determined to make a difference, to raise their village from the slums, and to pave the way toward achieving a better future.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Raisers is an inspiring true story of three Kenyan youths who defy the odds finding hope for themselves and their community in one of the most oppressive slums in Africa, Korogocho.

Author Suthar gives readers tangible ways to work together and expand horizons in simple, clear language. Bringing to life the daily struggles for everyday needs in a slum rife with violence, water, and food shortages, we see the glimmer of ambitious teens, eager for a pathway towards a better life. Then, just as the darkest hour seems near, the combination of determination, serendipity, and sports bring a new light into the slum through three friends.

By relying on one another and remaining ever vigilant for opportunity, Daniel, Mutura, and Lucy build a competitive roller skating team from scratch. This means scavenging for equipment, gradually building a coaching community, and bringing the team to the larger world, beyond the borders of Korogocho. In this way, The Hope Raisers is a unique coming-of-age story. These young people and those around them are inspired and through hard work, make their own future in a brighter world.

In an age where it is very easy to become overwhelmed with climate change, poverty, and social oppression, Suthar tells a different story—one that readers, especially young readers—can remember: simple actions matter.

This is an excellent companion book to social studies, climate change topics, and the way teamwork and sports can transform not only lives but whole communities. As an adult, I found this book a revelation, showing me a new world, far away, in easy to relate to terms.

The underlying implications are broad. The difficulties these young people confront make those of most Americans seem, well, less challenging. One might ask, if Lucy, Daniel and Mutara can find a bit of hope and chase it down the streets of Korogocho, just think what others might do.

Written for teens, The Hope Raisers is also a good choice for young adults interested in social change.

Released in Hardbound November 15, 2022
Available on Kindle
194 pages
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Learn more about the author: https://www.niharsuthar.com/

Buy the book: https://tinyurl.com/2dyyd77h

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nihar Suthar presented me with a copy of this encouraging story for review. He informed me the book is about the inspiring true story of three young Kenyans who fought to transform their slum and improve the lives of those around them.

I was a youth when I first learned of Kenya. One of my cousins worked in missions at joint outreaches with Kenyan organizations and she brought slides to our family reunion from her time spent in Kenya.

This was the first time I learned that I was different than other kids my age. Yes, I was very fortunate! I did not have the struggle that others have to survive. My family lived in a good climate in a comfortable home. We had good soil and grew our own crops in the garden that we would freeze and share or barter with our neighbors. Our pantry was stocked. There was always food on the table and we kept leftovers in our refrigerator.

This book begins with a look at the thousands of people who have to scrounge hazardous dumpsites for food for their families or for items that they can resell.

The brutal condition at the dumpsites often leads to accidents that require the people to need medical attention which would require them to stand in line for hours at the nearest health clinic. So they forgo treatment and some sell their bodies to survive.

I believe that most of us want something that is very special for the area we live in. We want a sense of community or of giving back to one another but many of us don't have to be concerned with satisfying our family’s hunger to make this possible.

In this story, you'll meet people like Daniel, Lucy, Mutura, and Chumbana. You see how they use activities like music and skating to give back to their community in an inspirational way that presents an awareness of cultural and societal issues. In the process, they raise hope by obtaining support from organizations willing to donate supplies.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a truly inspiring story. The author did an incredible job of capturing the despairing nature of the Korogocho slums and showcasing the hardships and struggles that people face here. Many people outside of Kenya remain unaware of how difficult life there truly is, with many people having to work as trash pickers to find food or unique items to survive and feed their families while dealing with local gangs, and young women having to choose between prostitution or marriage at a young age. The hardships and struggles mirror the haunting tone of the reality of life for so many in this part of the world.

Yet the juxtaposition of this darkness was matched by the hopeful tone and positive atmosphere this group of young people brought through their music and actions within the neighborhood. In the face of such adversity, the fight to help young people find a creative outlet and means of escaping this chilling reality they live in was a true inspiration to read about, and the author’s incredible use of imagery and artistry in his writing allowed the reader to feel this hope radiate off of the page.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, inspiring, and engaging, author Nihar Suthar’s “The Hope Raisers” is a must-read nonfiction book of 2022. The haunting nature of life in this Kenyan slum and the bright notes of hope that these incredible young people bring to life on their streets make this story shine so brightly in the darkness that often feels like creeps into our lives.

[Shailin Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of the Hope Raisers and their mission to transform their community (slum) in Korogocho, Kenya. As a primarily non-fiction reader, I was interested in how the author, Nihar Suthar, would present the story of this community to make it resonate with audiences so far displaced from the setting. From the first page to the last, Nihar blends the stories of multiple people together to give context to their situation, a means to empathize, and their resilience.

Following the journeys of Mama Bonie, Mutura, Daniel, Lucy, Chumbana & more really inspires the reader to reflect on their own challenges and to be grateful for what they have. The challenges of dealing with gangs, violence & rape, governments & organizations that undermine those they serve are made apparent and clear. The author does not shy away from raising these concerns in a slightly jarring, impactful manner, BUT he does it in a way that saves the reader from have read through the graphic nature of these events.

All in all, the story of the Hope Raisers is one filled with hope, resilience, and inspiration. Nihar uses dialogue and storytelling to present this work of non-fiction in a creative and engaging way. I would encourage everyone to pick up this book and read through it, it is a powerful story that needs to be shared.

[RoseMary author · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hope Raisers story confirms for me something I wish every politician would realize: educating our youth--worldwide--means elevating everyone in every country. As I read the minimal fees (for this American) the kids required for musical equipment and then for skating equipment, my heart broke. Five dollars here gets spent on a Starbucks without anyone batting an eye. There, it could mean the difference in building a better life for the children and for their families.

The three main kids covered are Daniel, Mutura, and Lucy. Their strength and perseverance against the odds of where they live and the restrictions life had against them is a testament to anyone who thinks they have it rough. Not so much, so many of us.

First by building a musical group, Daniel and Mutura show their village how children have choices other than joining gangs. When they discover a pair of roller blades, they start a sports program—rotating the meager equipment among the participants. Lucy goes on to win acclaim as a skater and to find a place on the Kenyan National Team. Truly an amazing journey and a story that deserves to be told.

Note: I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

[Roma Gujarathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel-good read about hope, perseverance, and the power of community. The author transports us to the neighborhood of Korogocho in Nairobi, Kenya. We follow the lives of Mama Bonie, Mutura, Daniel, Lucy, Chumbana, and their community as they navigate poverty, political turmoil, and an uncertain future with immense resilience and endurance. I loved being immersed into Kenyan culture with Suthar's infusion of authentic dialogue between community members throughout the narrative. I learned from the young Hope Raisers' spirit and especially connected with Lucy and Chumbana as they navigated gender barriers in their skating aspirations. In addition, the photographs sprinkled throughout the book further brought life to Suthar's storytelling.

I completed the book feeling inspired by the powerful stories showing us that people who are united and committed on a mission to make the world a better place can do exactly that. I would recommend this book to any reader looking to be inspired and reminded that, with a determined mindset and grit, we all can make a meaningful difference in the world.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an accounting of the various activities that a group of teens and children in one of the slum neighborhoods of Nairobi undertook which bettered themselves and their community. The. group started initially as a band. A song they wrote and performed about slum conditions ahead of a G8 summit received wide recognition, especially after it was posted on YouTube. This motivated the teens to want to do more. The majority of the book is about the rollerblading group that two of them started which attracted interest beyond their dreams and their resources. Gradually the skills improved and when they had a chance to participate in an event, it spurred them on even more.
Just about anything written with an African setting interests me. And to have this me an accounting of individuals bettering their situation is all the better. I didn't realize how much of this book was going to focus on the rollerblading but it was interesting to read and see how it broadended their horizons.

[Luiz Gandelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nihar Suthar has captured the inspiring story of the Hope Raisers in Korogocho in this incredible book. This book covers the story from the start of their journey, up until very recently. Suthar wrote this in a captivating manner, and this book was impossible to put down. He tells the story of these young Kenyans in such a way that you almost forget you are reading a book about real people. The captivating story writing lets you feel for the characters on a deeper level, and makes this already inspirational and powerful story even more real and impressive. As you read, you begin to develop a deep admiration for the individuals in this story, and you become touched by it all. From the descriptions of poverty to the action-packed occurrences of their competitions, this book is a must read. I applaud Suthar for this well-researched masterpiece of a book, and this one is a must read for everyone.

[Pmalcpoet Pat Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can two boys do about the lives of children living in the most desperate of circumstances? Children who can rarely go to school and who must work long hours eking a living for their families out of a city dump. Surrounded by gang violence and tribal divisions. Read this inspirational book and find how two boys brought children together in an informal club where they could express themselves through music, art, and sport, using cast-offs and the most rudimentary of supplies. See how a pair of broken, discarded in-line skates could lead to a skating club, schooling, and one of the world’s best skaters. A girl! Breaking the bounds of women’s roles formed through necessity and cultural traditions, yet supported by her family and community. It might be hard to imagine that the Korogocho slums of Kenya could raise up such a story, but it did. And the story is true.

If you enjoyed Connor Grennan’s Little Princes or Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea, you will love this book!

[Shrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Raisers is an impeccably researched and deeply moving novel that redefines grit, resiliency and determination. Daniel and Mutura, the book's two main characters, and their band serve as a platform for change in Suthar's extraordinary tale. Suthar skillfully tells the narrative of Lucy Achieng, a defiant young woman who used competitive rollerblading to pursue her aspirations rather than getting married off at an early age, leaving readers with goosebumps and tears in their eyes.

One can't help but pause and wonder how a child can make it out of a society in which violence and poverty dominate. Nihar Suthar is a masterful storyteller that gives the reader a glimpse into the tremendous impact a handful of driven children can have on their neighborhood, even under the most trying circumstances. 

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Hope Raisers’ is a young adult non-fiction book about how Daniel and Mutura change the lives of the children living in Korohocho who are plagued by violence and many basic human needs shortages. Beginning with small things, such as teaching children how to express their feelings, you understand the severity of things. Lucy Achieng, who was forced to marry at a young age, was an interesting read. While emotionally, I was engaged with the writing, I was also thinking about all that was going on and how I would have handled or helped the situation.

The book is written with determination and is dedicated. This made it all the more enjoyable to read.

This is a very inspiring read, and I recommend it to those who like to read deeply moving stories. It is powerful and well put together. The writing is perfect for the young reader and mind.

[Hetal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t read this book - go get it! It really grabs your attention. Nihar really has a way with his words. You really are able to see the growth in terms of people in the book and it is so interesting to see it shift from Daniel and Muthras life and slowly have it focus on Lucy’s life. Also, the ending was a nice way to close off the book. You never know when you’ll make a difference until and unless you try to and you never know who you are inspiring. Also, money doesn’t define success and I think the author did a beautiful job portraying that message. This book really gets you thinking about life and how it’s different for everyone - struggles, success, definition of happiness, etc. Overall, 5/5 highly recommend.

[Rima · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read, that is well researched and touches the heart. The book really puts into perspective the change that one girls rebellion can bring for a community and the inspirational story helps all of us appreciate the little things we take for granted. Nihar, does an incredible job setting the scene and painting a picture of the village of Korogocho and the situational conditions that are faced. A must read and wish I had access to a book like this during highschool, because it would help shape my perspective on the life I led and the notion of making the best of the circumstances and the situations you are faced with and moving out of your comfort zone.

[Rajeev Alluri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story! Nihar does a great job in establishing the background of the various characters in the book, and lets us follow their journey from Korogocho, to eventually being able to explore the world through the creation of their Hope Raisers group. I especially enjoyed the focus on Lucy's evolution from a girl destined to stay in the slums, to becoming an inspiration for young females and Kenyans everywhere; that if you put your mind to something, it can be achieved. Also love the pictures as they emphasize the realness of this true story!

[Ian Persaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Suthar's storytelling has evolved, and his writing style carries you page to page effortlessly. I caught myself many times saying, "this will be the last page I read" only to turn it and keep going.

The story he tells brushes on many topics we think of in the US daily - government, policy, the impact of human determination, soul, community, and more.

This is definitely something I will read again to ground myself in the reality of how beautiful humanity can be. It's a short read, but that's perfect for me 💞

[Denny Simonetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Raisers by Nihar Suthar is truly an inspiring true story! You find yourself wrapped up in the bittersweet emotion & reality of the children & mothers of Korogocho, Kenya. The detailed description of the lifestyle environment has you on edge and anticipation of darkness & light! This book details the dreams & success of those who lived in extreme poverty situations and how the kids banded together to rise above. The inspiration of Daniel, Mutura, Lucy & Chambaba have blessed this community & the world to foster programs to help others to rise above their social class & status!

[John Zesiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The character development is outstanding, you feel like you cut your hand right along with Mama Bonie, and glimpse the lives along with Daniel, Mutura, Lucy, and Chumbana as they build hope and find success, as well as setbacks and challenges. It is an inspirational story of hope, sacrifice, and that relationships are the true riches of the world. The story almost forces the reader to think about how everyone’s story is different, but more importantly, how it has value.

[Alia Knowlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows a group of inspiring young people in Kenya whose determination and dedication transform their community. I was so moved by this story — I couldn’t put the book down! It’s uplifting, eye-opening, and gives some much needed perspective. With so much heaviness in the world, it’s so important to be reminded that there is hope and beauty within it, and this book does just that. This is story that will stick with you and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

[Ruju · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring read about a community and the individuals within it. Nihar makes you feel one with the characters emotions during their challenges and triumphs - you can truly feel their hope and perseverance. By the end of the book, one can truly believe that change is possible by working together one step at a time, and that anyone can be an inspiration and create a difference.

[Abhishek Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Nihar's work so far and this was definitely my favorite. The story of the hope raisers is one that truly embodies the learning stated at the beginning of the book from P.P. Mahantswami Maharaj, that changing the world starts with simply believing you can. The work is truly inspiring and I am glad I was one of the first people to be able to read it.

[Elizabeth McGuoirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is very inspiring, We can truly bring change, to our lives, to our communities and beyond. It gives me hope that if I want something to change in my life, I can make it happen. In a world that sometimes feels so hopeless, it's good to read something positive like The Hope Raisers.