At 10 , # ##e was on and off the streets in a sprawling Nairobi , Kenya , slum . He was extremely poor and knew he was fated to be poor -- this was his prison . Odede 's life turned around when he read Nelson Mandela 's books and articles . In Kibera , people celebrated and talk circulated the streets about this man , but I did n't see how his story connected to mine until much later . He began ` ` speak '' to Mandela , whose inspiration led him to achieve , excel and help others .
At 10 , # ##e was on and off the streets in a sprawling Nairobi , Kenya , slum . He was extremely poor and knew he was fated to be poor -- this was his prison . Odede 's life turned around when he read Nelson Mandela 's books and articles . He began ` ` speak '' to Mandela , whose inspiration led him to achieve , excel and help others .