Your Route to Real News

I ditched luxury to live in one of world’s biggest slums with love of my life

1176     0
Watch our exclusive interview with Leni and Vinn from their home in Kenya
Watch our exclusive interview with Leni and Vinn from their home in Kenya

AN influencer who quit her life of luxury to live in a slum with the love of her life has revealed how they are now local celebs earning thousands a month.

Leni Weise, 24, met her now husband Vinn Pacbro, 23, on a work trip in Kenya - and dropped everything to move 6,000 miles across the world to be with him.

Leni Weise moved to a slum in Africa to be with her husband Leni eiqdhiqkdiqutprw
Leni Weise moved to a slum in Africa to be with her husband LeniCredit: Instagram
Leni and Vinn Vinn Pacbro lived in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa
Leni and Vinn Vinn Pacbro lived in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa
Vinn's house in Kibera had one room that served as a kitchen, dining room and living room
Vinn's house in Kibera had one room that served as a kitchen, dining room and living roomCredit: afrimaxenglish
Vinn and Leni delight their followers with a variety of content including cooking and dance videos
Vinn and Leni delight their followers with a variety of content including cooking and dance videosCredit: Instagram
The couple make thousands a month from their YouTube channel and have now bought a car (pictured)
The couple make thousands a month from their YouTube channel and have now bought a car (pictured)Credit: Instagram

After starting their new life together, Leni, originally from Germany, and hubby Vinn began sharing YouTube clips of their every day life - and racked up thousands of followers.

The smitten pair post multiple clips per month - delighting an army of 60,000 subscribers - and say they can make up to $250 dollars per video.

They now have a flashy convertible car and a luxury new apartment - and claim they're recognised everywhere they go.

Putin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of eventsPutin accused of surrounding himself with same 'actors' at series of events

But life wasn't always easy, the couple said.

Vinn was raised in Kibera - a forest of slums in Kenya housing 250,000 of Africa's poorest people - and had always dreamt of a better life.

The dancer met Leni - now known as "Vinn's girl" locally - when she was on a working trip in Nairobi.

They hit it off from the start - and Leni asked to visit Vinn's home.

Vinn told The Sun: "It was so crazy for me because I didn't know how she would take it.

"She grew up in Germany where she has nice house and nice environment and she's coming to a slum.

"I didn't know how she'd react to that."

Despite his concerns, fitness fanatic Leni wasn't fazed - even though the home had no working toilet.

Recalling that first night, she said: “I was a bit nervous. I never wanted to judge him for where he's living so I always accepted everything."

Leni spent most of her time in Kenya staying at Vinn's place before she had to return home to Germany.

Edinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rainEdinburgh Hogmanay revellers stuck in queues for TWO HOURS in torrential rain

Although they kept in contact while they were apart, they said they were "struggling with the long distance" and "didn't feel happy".

Vinn and Leni met while Leni was working in Kenya
Vinn and Leni met while Leni was working in Kenya
Leni had to adapt to a new way of life after she moved from Germany
Leni had to adapt to a new way of life after she moved from Germany
The pair started a YouTube channel soon after Leni moved
The pair started a YouTube channel soon after Leni moved
The slum home had just one small bed and no bathroom
The slum home had just one small bed and no bathroomCredit: afrimaxenglish
Kibera slum houses 250,000 of Africa's poorest people
Kibera slum houses 250,000 of Africa's poorest peopleCredit: Stewart Williams - The Sun

Leni decided to pack her bags leave her home to live somewhere with no bathroom and no running water.

Pictures of the slum house show a dingy cave-like space inside one of the many make-shift congregated iron houses packed into Kibera.

One room served as the kitchen, living room and dining room and a small bed could be seen in the corner.

After her arrival Leni helped Vinn to save money and the pair tried to build a better life for themselves.

"No one likes to live in those conditions. So it was obvious that we want to move," Leni said.

"I don't judge people from there, but obviously like I would have preferred a better place."

I don't have to prove our love but my dream is that one day our skin colour doesn't matter anymore and we just see each other as human beings

Leni Weise

The couple began to make YouTube videos showing viewers a range of content from touring around the village to dance and cooking videos.

Their channel took off and before they knew it the money they made meant they could buy a new house and a vehicle.

Vinn said: "I have a big house, I have my dream car that I've been dreaming of since when I was a kid.

"I just thank God for that because it wasn't easy for us. We try to post every day and every video post, we get more than $200.

"It's kinda big - everywhere we go, they take pictures. It's fun."

Although life has become less arduous, the couple said they have faced racist and abusive comments on social media.

Leni said: “Vinn is very good he has a very strong skin but I’m a bit more sensitive so I try to avoid reading those comments.

"My skin is getting thicker but it can be tough, people are really mean.”

She added: “I don't have to prove our love but my dream is that one day our skin colour doesn't matter anymore and we just see each other as human beings.”

The pair have also recently brought a large apartment, here Leni does a tour for YouTube subscribers
The pair have also recently brought a large apartment, here Leni does a tour for YouTube subscribers
Vinn and Leni are local celebs and will regularly get stopped to take pictures
Vinn and Leni are local celebs and will regularly get stopped to take pictures
Leni and Vinn can make $250 per YouTube video
Leni and Vinn can make $250 per YouTube videoCredit: Instagram

Olivia Allhusen

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus