Following the success of previous Anglo-Kenyan mosaic projects in Nairobi (2002) and London (2003) – both of which attracted positive local news and TV coverage – we were invited in 2004 to carry out a much more ambitious project, at Nairobi 's Mathare Psychiatric Hospital .

It was ambitious not only for its epic scale (13 separate mosaic panels) and for the large number of people involved (over 200 children and teachers from eight local schools, plus some of the patients at the hospital), but also for the subjects it addressed. In Kenya - as in most countries - mental illness is a taboo subject, and issues of alcohol and drugs are seldom confronted directly.

Our intention, in making this series of artworks for the hospital, was to face these demons and defuse them. The popular perception is that a person who goes into a mental hospital never comes out, and that an addict is always an addict. This series of mosaics – designed with the input of the patients in the hospital – is intended to show the progress of the patient through addiction, treatment, and most importantly, recovery.

We also wished to highlight the possibilities of recycling. All the ceramic pieces used in the mosaics' construction were reclaimed from the Doshi Ceramics' Factory's wonderful rubbish dump - thus proving that lasting and impressive artworks can be created from (and about) the debris which society casts aside.

The project was celebrated by enthusiastic articles in The Nation newspaper, and featured on KBC national TV news. We were also grateful for the robust support of Mr. Edward Clay, the British High Commissioner, who did us the honour of presiding over the opening ceremony on 13 th November 2004.

Teachers and pupils from the following schools took part:

• Riara School
• Cavina School
• Nairobi Pentacostal College
• Braeburn School
• Makini Academy
• Makini Primary School
• Premier Academy

Many thanks also to:

The patients and staff at Mathare Hospital; Juhudi Children's Club; UKENYA; The Kuona Trust: The Godown Studios; Doshi Ceramics; Tabitha Wa Thuku; Mrs. Shah.

And particularly to Charlotte Njeru, without whom this project would not exist.