2009 and 2010: Amka! (Jukwaa la Vipaji/House of Talent)
AMKA!
The project in Tanzania has come to an end. It has been a great project, considering the fun the participating young people have had (and we too), the talents that have developed and the many people that we have reached. This was all possible thanks to the time and/or money that many people and funds have invested in this Cre8 project. A big thanks to everyone!
In June the fifty young people made a music-theatre show, exposition and film by the name AMKA! (Wake up!). Their story tells how they ended up on the streets, the problems they come across, the solutions they consider valuable, and how the community and government can help achieving these solutions. After two weeks of workshops the young people have been able to tell their story to 12.000 people in seven cities in Tanzania and Kenya. People from the audience were asked to ventilate their opinion on the story of the street children. Most of them were tolerant, and found that every street child should get a second change. It amazed everyone how the youngsters were able to transmit a very serious message in such a nice way.
On tour (photo 1)
The entire group performed in Tanzania. In Moshi, Arusha and Dar es Salaam great shows were given in residential areas or at the market. Mostly around 1.500 people watched the show. In Bagamoyo the young people performed at the Tanzanian Youth Exchange Forum & Festival 2010. Here, they were surrounded by professional artists (foto 2). After the show they were rewarded by the public with a standing ovation!
1. 2. 3.
After Tanzania the tour continued through Kenya. A selection of twelve young people performed the same play in Nakuru, Kisumu and Nairobi. In addition, discussions were held in these cities with local steetkids, co-workers from NGO's, and after the show with the audience (photo 3). This is very important as the play showed the real story of the youngsters. Together with the audience, the organisations present and policy makers, they want to come to suggestions for improving the situation of these street children. As a first result, the young performers were invited by the mayor of Moshi to perform the play in the city hall for the personnel present.
And now?
The young people will get the opportunity to continue developing their talents. Eddy Rahmadani, the acrobatics/drama teacher, will continue to give classes once a week. The video- and photography students get assistance from Holland. The visual arts group has been given many materials to make their pieces of art.
In cooperation with Mkombozi, Cre8 explores the possibilities of providing education for the most talented of the young people, so they can develop their talents even further. This way they are, in the nearby future, able to make a living, and stay of the streets.
Dar es Salaam: exhibition and rap
What's next?
Cre8 is now preparing for the next project, taking place in Uganda, where Cre8 passes on its knowledge and method to students. The methodology will furthermore be tested by several organisations. This way Cre8 documents its working-method so as to provide the ability for youth workers, artists, and developers of theatre plays to work with Cre8's method. In the future many East African young people will be able to tell their story by means of music-theatre and visual art, ánd develop their talents.
The project Jukwaa la Vipaja (House of talent), is a continuation of the EEX House of Talent project 2009.
Project goals
Children and young people:
EEX House of Talent 2009
In June 2009 the musical theatre project EEX House of Talent was launched. The week began with designing a logo for the project, which was given the name ‘Jukwaa la Vipaji’ (House of Talent). Then the young people were given dance, music and drama workshops. The different elements were brought together to form one performance about their lives: about their home situation, life on the street, drug abuse, HIV aids and more. Displaying a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and talent, they shared their story with the community on June 27. They showed what their lives are like and what parents, the community and the government can do to tackle this problem. Ten of the youths left a week after the performance for Bagamoyo where they will demonstrate their skills and tell their tale at a big art festival.
Two of the boys filmed the entire week, the video is shown below.
House of Talent, by Mkombozi, Yaden and Cre8 East Africa
