I’ll never forget my first introduction to Hidden Talents, Dagoretti’s Secondary School for orphanages and destitute children.

The volunteers and I were being guided by one of our hosts, and as we approached the school, the stench of rotting garbage hit my face.

The school itself is a cramped ground composed of smaller buildings built up of storm plating, bits of wood, steel wire, rusty nails, and who knows what else. Of course, having no central garbage service, the students are forced to simply dump their garbage in various piles near the buildings.

One of these piles — waist high, muddy, and with buzzing flies everywhere — greeted us as we first approached the school. On top, a dog buried his nose into the garbage, looking for scraps of food.

Our tour guide turned around, smiled a toothy smile, and said, “Welcome to Hidden Talents”.