Yusuf is mentored in Alfajiri workshops but largely self-taught His joy for art was awakened by witnessing the beauty of work created by his fellow artists. He studies art independently researching books and internet. Painting has become a way to focus Yusuf’s life “Art keeps me away from a lot of things that might harm and it helps me to heal from a lot of things that have
happened and continue to happen to me; art is an escape for me.”

He draws his inspiration from witnessing the stark reality of his surroundings. He also has visions of a beautiful world which he depicts with perfection. He sees that “there is not much people can do where we live.” Yusuf paints beautiful scenes, mountains, water, a sort of paradise. Yusuf desires to make the lives of people better through advocacy in art. He hopes his art can show the reality of life, not just in Kenya but in other parts of the world, to whoever is concerned out in the world. He hopes his art will not only sensitize the world to the reality of life in a slum and the beauty of dreams outside it, but also motivate the young people living in slums around the world “whatever you are thinking or dreaming, don’t think that you have everything to lose, even in losing we gain. If you have an idea of something to do, get out there and do it.”