TripL'EX project in Yala has gone well despite unrest.

The TripL'EX project in Yala has gone well despite the tensions that were mounting even before rioting broke out after the election. Our team of Dutch and Kenyan artists/educators, a camera crew and a number of volunteer assistants worked hard with the youth group in Yala to make a beautiful production and a wonderful film of the whole process.

There were undeniable tensions when we arrived on December 2 in Nyanza. The opposition ODM party was winning and everywhere there was the hope, if not the absolute conviction, that Raila Odinga would become president and the Luos would have a voice in national politics. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, there was the additional hustle and bustle of people travelling home to their families, housewives shopping and children off from school. The closest town, Kisimu, was crowded and the intense heat alternated with tropical showers.

For our safety we were taken to stay at a local guest house with few amenities and rented a car to transport our people and equipment. Originally we were planning to 'camp out' at the village but were strongly discouraged from doing so because of the crowds and rising tension. When rioting broke out after the election results were made known, we were already safely ensconced in a hotel in the centre of Mombasa after a long journey from Yala.

You can read more about the progress of the project on the weblog: www.cre8-triplex.blogspot.com eand see more in the webalbum: http://picasaweb.google.com/ben.hekkema/YalaTripLEXDecember2007

Sponsor campaign
The sponsor campaign for the TripL'EX project has raised € 5000. Thankfully that will cover most of the costs and the rest will be paid for by contributions from the Huibert van Saane Foundation, the Maagdenhuis Foundation and the NCDO.

And now to carry on
With the money that was raised, we were not only able to help the young people of Yala make a fantastic production (My Life, My Future/ Ngimana Mabiro) but we were also able to leave some things behind so that will enable them to continue with the activities. We left behind a 'tent' for instance that provides shade while working on the school grounds (the school has only two small, packed classrooms for 300 pupils), a portable music installation, costumes, a decor and materials.

The Kenyan educators will continue for at least a half year to give classes and workshops. The Kenya organisation Y-tap, Youth Talent Advancement Program, (www.y-tap.org) will include the Yala group in a national network of youth theatre groups so that there will be a chance for future exchange.

In the coming months, we will continue to concentrate on the group in Poeldijk which is still busy with a number of assignments in which they share experiences with the Kenyan group. In the Fall of 2008, Ben Hekkema will travel to Yala to evaluate the project. By that time we should know when and where the next Cre8 East Africa project will take place. There are a few options. The evaluation visit will be combined with a preparatory visit to the next project location.

Report
Soon a detailed report of the TripL'EX project will be posted on the site, including photographs and film footage. The film about the project will be edited in the Spring and available on DVD.

The Cre8 Method

This coming year, Sami Gathi, Alphonce Omolo and Ben Hekkema will take the first steps in describing the 'The Cre8 Method' and developing a training programme for individuals and organisations who want to apply the method. This is made possible by financial support from Oxfam- NOVIB. More on this matter will follow shortly.