Kenya’s Kids, open until January 4, 2020 at the Discovery Center, is a collaborative effort designed to recreate some of the lived experiences of children living in Kenya today by emphasizing both the longtime cultural traditions of the country and its modern technological advances. The exhibit is divided into five different environments that replicate some of the common places children see and experience in Kenya. Each space provides activities and hands-on learning that encourage visitors to use their imagination and to ask questions in order to gain a better understanding of life and culture in Kenya today.

What is an M-Pesa booth?

M-Pesa booths can be found all over Kenya, from big cities to small rural areas. An M-Pesa sells small convenience items, like phone cards and accessories, and can be used to withdraw money. An M-Pesa is not only a booth, but a mobile app, and is used to make transactions almost everywhere.

What can kids do at the M-Pesa in Kenya's Kids?

• Use the phone provided at the M-Pesa to withdraw shillings for shopping at the duka.
• Pretend to be the customer or attendant.
• Consider how much money they may need to make purchases.

What can kids learn at the M-Pesa booth?

• As a technologically-advanced country, Kenya uses this money-sharing phone application to transfer money and withdraw cash.
• Not only does M-Pesa connect people across the country, it is also helping Kenya move away from paper and coin currency towards an electronic alternative

Kenya’s Kids is part of a cultural exhibit series created by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum with a goal of introducing children to cultures from around the world. This immersive exhibit is designed for children 3 to 12 years and was created in partnership with the St. Louis Kenyan community. Kenya’s Kids is generously made possible by the Crawford Taylor Foundation and The Dana Brown Charitable Trust, U.S. Bank Trustee. Locally sponsored by the Redbud Foundation, Kenya’s Kids will be on display at The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center from September 13, 2019 to January 4, 2020 and is included in regular admission.