Arise

On Wednesday I am invited to watch a college graduation. The moments we imagine separate “us” from “them” get smaller and smaller the longer I immerse myself into this world. It’s easy to find differences, but if you’re fortunate enough to have moments like this, you will bask in the similarities, and find ways to feel part of something familiar. The College is called Nairobits, and it teaches students how to get from never having used a computer to web design. And it’s incredible.

The student whose graduation I’m going to created this: http://kiberahamlets.org/html/about_us.html

The website is actually for a group of youth that we auditioned the other week for theatre outreach. They are beautiful and so talented. Here are some pictures of their audition…

Some of the incredible dancers. The girl on the left, who cant be more than 9 years old, ran the show. It was so powerful...

The youth, reenacting the post election violence.

The POK group performing for a girl's group. By the end, there were over 50 spectators in this tiny space.

I’ll end with these words from one performance I got to see. I hope you enjoy…

“Can’t we take it easy,
Mamma Africa
Smile for the children’s sake, smile to give children hope
Smile to help make youth cope with their lives
Smile to stop women’s weep…
Let them not be the victims of all unjust situations
But make them peace builders in this nation
Because this is the time for them to achieve all their dreams
Can’t you do this for the children’s sake…

Arise you African hope
Arise you African youth
Arise and make the difference
Arise and not be coward
Cause this is the time
You have the steam
Are you ready?
Are you steady?
Arise”
P.O.K. (Pillars of Kibera)