Thursday, November 27, 2008

STREET FAMILIES


Due to poverty, diseases, violence and mistreatment, the number of loitering young girls and boys is increasing. This makes it hard to walk in the streets in terms of security where theft cases are heard now and then. Our own brothers and sisters are starving in towns going through difficulties while there are women and men out there filling their bellies with the funds raised to help get the so called chokoras out of the streets.
Even though several organisations and individuals have built homes for street families, many such children are still wndering around in major towns and have become a menace.
Post election violence increased their population in various towns like in my province Rift valley which was the most affected. Most street children no longer go to school and this is a barrier to the free education initiative. Many children are now being used to sell merchandise along the streets.Kenya will fall to the losing side if something is not done about it.

MR AND MISS RED RIBBON

Miss Red Ribbon is a charity event organized annually by Nakuru Youth groups among them REPACTED KENYA and The VOICE OF ROSES. Its a major build up activity towards World Aids Day. The event aims at eradicating stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. It shall be held on 29th of November at one of the best Hotels in Nakuru called Bontana Hotel as from 2.00pm to 8.00pm.
All are invited to this event .There will be entertainment from SAWWA DANCERS from REPACTED,Songs from the VOICE OF ROSES , a dance for life ,and also live music from MCC JEX,Beauty Pageant and many more.
By doing this it will help to empower marginalized women to be the best they can. Its is also away of bringing people together as one to show love to the people living with HIV.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

CHANGE THROUGH MUSIC

During one of our magnet theatre outreaches at the Nakuru men’s prison I met a man by the name of Cedric aka MC Sly Shy who was an artiste on remand. He was impressed with what I doing and he informed me that he was into rap and hip hop and he had written a lot of songs behind bars. We exchanged ideas and I told him to look me up once he got out. Upon the quashing of his case on 16th of October, he came to our offices and we are now working on a song about drugs called Hadi Lini which means Till When in Swahili. He wants to pass messages that can inspire behavior change in the youth of today. It was through the groups activities that I met MC Sly and I believe there are many others with talent that can be utilized.

Two weeks ago, in October 21st at the Nakuru Players theater where our base of operations is situated I ran into Moses a recovering drug addict. His father had sent him to me since he was interested in music. He had caused a lot of trouble whenever he was left idle and there was always the risk of a relapse if he wasn’t kept busy. We have been hanging out with him and his parents have noticed a slight change in his attitude. Presently we are composing a song and we are planning to produce and market it so that he can become independent since he has been reduced to child status by his addiction. If our dream comes true he can be able to earn money and help his family with some extra income. Through music, I've realise, that I have been able to assist many people change their lives.