Against a backdrop of crime in the slums of Nairobi, Mark Kamau, born in 1980, grew up not only dreaming of a better future but also grabbing every chance that came his way. In 2000 he managed to register himself at web design school NairoBits (founded by the Dutch foundation Butterfly Works).

Calling himself the ‘Slumdog Manager’, he gave an inspiring talk on his journey out of the slums of Kenya and the future of African aid. He suggested that the way in which he had been helped by the Nairobits program could serve as an example: Africa needs this sort of intelligent engagement over aid, he said. His simple and powerful speech earned a standing ovation.

More at tedxamsterdam.nl/2009/video-mark-kamau-on-intelligent-engagement/