Abushe, a nearly 17-year-old boy known locally as "Blue Eyes," has attracted global attention due to his rare blue eyes, a trait he shares with his mother and cousin. Despite his distinctive appearance, Abushe lives on the streets and is currently only in Grade 4.

Travel filmmaker Florence Ryan met Abushe during her African travels and shared his story with her 163,000 Instagram followers on August 9, 2026. She highlighted the stark contrast between the commercial value of his photographs and his challenging living conditions.

Exploitation of Image

Tourists and professional photographers often seek to photograph Abushe. While some give him small tips ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 Kenyan shillings, others take pictures without compensation. Meanwhile, some photographers reportedly sell portraits of him for $3,000 to $4,000 without sharing any proceeds with Abushe.

Florence noted that in Western countries, Abushe's unique look would command significant payment, but he receives little benefit from the lucrative sales of his images.

Dreams Beyond the Streets

Having lived without a stable home since age four, Abushe currently stays with friends and uses some money from tourists to visit and support his mother on Sundays. His primary concern is education; he aspires to complete school and acquire basic supplies like exercise books and pens.

His long-term goal is to secure stable employment and assist other children living on the streets, drawing from his own experience.

Public Reaction

Florence's post sparked emotional responses online, with viewers commending her for shedding light on Abushe's plight and the unfairness surrounding the use of his image.

  • @thekissbandit: "Great job on highlighting this 🔥👌🏾💯"
  • @pattisonteresa: "Thank you, Flo, for sharing his full story. 👏🏼❤️"
  • @africaniteh: "I just love how you saw the unfairness of the whole situation and decided to share it. 😍 A good person is undeniable."

Abushe's story underscores the challenges faced by vulnerable children exploited for their unique features while struggling to access basic education.