www.sankhaunhap.com

Sân khấu NHÁP là một nhóm sân khấu thử nghiệm không vì mục đích chính trị hay tôn giáo, gồm 6 nghệ sỹ với độ tuổi từ 18 đến 25, hoạt động tại Hà Nội, Việt Nam.

Sân khấu Nháp hoạt động để ra đời những tác phẩm biểu diễn chất lượng với phương thức nghệ thuật sử dụng ít lời nói, kích thích trí tưởng tượng qua các kỹ thuật biểu diễn như chuyển động hình thể, rối, bóng, mặt nạ..

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Mời các bạn vào thăm trang web và ủng hộ chúng tôi!

So, after a lots of hard work. We are now introducing the first ever independent physical theatre group in Hanoi, Vietnam. SameStuff Theatre

www.samestufftheatre.com

Our aim is to explore and experiment different performing art techniques while using performance as means of social transformation.
Devising and performing theatrical work through integration of body movement, puppets, shadow, masks.., our work focuses on “issues without definition”, mostly those of young people. Sometimes one might not be able to define the “what” but can certainly share the “how”. We hope to use our artistic skill to bring the “how” to open dialogue, break the culture of silence, encourage reflection, sharing and learning among people.
We are probably the first independent contemporary theatre group in Vietnam. If there are other groups like us in Vietnam we are very keen to hear from them.

7th Feb 2005

I was woken up by something touching my feet. I looked down and saw a black baby, smiling (her smile was all I could see, to be honest). She was trying to get into the bed through the mosquito net. Last night her mother put up a new rounded (?) mosquito net for me so that I could sleep with the window open. I had a lovely sleep in fact. I told the girl (the 4 yr old) to come in and she eagerly crawled towards me and laid happily under the blanket. I felt asleep again and the mother woke me up while persuading the baby to come out to go to nursing school. It was 7am

The girls started to get up and they made lots of noise walking in and out of the room, chatting to each other..etc.. It’s my bad habit that when something is noisy I try to sleep even longer than I intended to. I woke up at 9.30am and while brushing my teeth in a bathroom down stair, through the window I saw Fred entering the front yard, smiling happily.

We had breakfast and started our day at 10.30am. Fred took me to the city center with a matutu (mini bus). The bus is actually a 12 seats car and is quite old, it stops on the road and gets people on, quite rough and rocking. We sat in the front seats, next to the driver. The music played was the kind of music that I like, something Afro-cuban, was very danceable and definitely matched the rocking ride!

I couldn’t believe it was the city center. The buildings are better built but the people, the vehicles, the street vendors, the shops.. everything was busy and hurry and messy and they made me even more nervous than when I was in the slum area! There were lots of people walking, not robotic like in England, rather, they were more like panicking ants.. (hehe).

The roads were broken here and there. I was curious to see how Fred manages with all the up and down, stair way, gutters, mud, rocks but he managed them all. Fred is very strong, he could “hops” everywhere with his arms pushing the 2 sticks. And what’s best, he was very patient and relax.., and it still takes me special attention to actually realize that I am invading the good and flat side while he is pushed to the bad side of the road.. He wouldn’t walk in front of me (because I am always faster, no matter what) but tries to walk side by side .. and if I am already on my good side of the road, he would silently take the bad side.., which requires more balancing skills and greater effort to push the sticks (some body please tell me what these sticks are called in English).

Anyway, I enjoyed looking around and poor Fred kept hopping and calling my name whenever a bus was about to hit me, or when I was too busy looking around to actually follow him.

First mission was to cash my travelers’ cheques, I first entered Standard Charter bank and innocently pointed at the circulating door, giving sign to Fred that he should come in, to which he smiled nicely and said he would wait out door (dusty, no where to sit). It actually took a while for your stupid Ly to figure out why Fred would rather stay out side.
(If no one knows why, please do ask me)

I felt lucky that everything was written in English, so I didn’t feel that “foreign” like when I was in Iran.. But I was unfortunate that the bank doesn’t cash travelers cheques.
We continued to Barclays and after waiting in a Q for a while, I could finally finish my first mission. To Caroline and Gemma: if you use Travelers cheques, you will need the receipt to cash them, besides your passport and the cheques themselves.

Fred took me to a shop and I bought a sim card of “Safaricom” brand. Now my mobile phone number in Kenya is: +254 (0) 721 168 614

Fred then wanted to check email so we “hopped” in the building’s elevator that took us to 2nd floor. It was a big Internet center and the staff was very helpful. As usual, the power went off just when I was about to send the email. The users here however, just patiently looked at the screen and showed no distress/shock or whatsoever! Very high level of tolerance.

So this time Fred and I had to take the staircase to get down to the road. Fred was holding 2 sticks in 1 hand while his other hand leaned on the arm-rest (?) of the staircase. Being a helpful, lovely, and caring person, I offered to hold 1 stick for Fred and he gave it to me. As I got to the ground floor I was happily jumping around, heading straight to the road… until I heard “Where are you going, give me back my other leg!!!” ..OOOOPPPPSSSSS

It was then 1.30pm and Fred must go back to Kibera. A person from PSI (Population Service International, a partner of the group who actually pays allowance so the group will perform drama in communities to spread message and slogans set by PSI) was coming to evaluate the group’s play at 2pm. I had already drafted out a plan to meet and discuss with the group in the afternoon. Fred told me the meeting with PSI should only take 1 hr and I can carry on after that.

Lunch was discussed but we both agreed I didn’t want chips and Fred was in a hurry. So we took the matatu back to Kibera without lunch, even though both of us were hungry. On the way back one man got in the bus and it was Fred’s friend, named Robert. Anyway, I noticed Valentine’s day was coming and asked Fred if they celebrate this lovers’day in Kenya. Fred said yes and it applies for Kibera people as well. I was excited and asked for the possibility of visiting Kibera on Valentine’s day and film the love expression.. Fred thinks it would be difficult as people in Kibera reacts strongly to being filmed, even if I suggestted that I would only establish relationship with the ‘bar” owners and “cinema” owners before Valentine’s day.. (yes Kibera does have a “cinema” and bars)

“What about people film things they like?”, I asked. Fred said “ well yes, you can give the camera to a person in our group who handles camera very well and he will film stuff and then you can edit it”…
Me: That’s also an idea but I mean ordinary local people in Kibera, who has no skills of taking video or making film.., what about I go with some of you to visit each house and explain the idea and to see if people like it?
Him: Noo.. it will be difficult, it is easier for people if we say we already have a filming plan and that we’d like them to participate, and then you indicate what role they should be
Me: Ummm.., what if their roles are film makers? They can choose any topic they like and film it the way they want? What about we ask people this way: “Do you like to film and make a documentary movie about any topic you want? If I can give you the skills and show you how to use the camera will you like to make a movie?”
Him: But, but you see people will like to know what role they play and what you expect them to do…
Me: well if they like the idea we just make a time agreement and they will get together and we start the training, and they will learn essential steps of film making.. They are the film makers, I am not making them actors, I am not going to film them.. They are going to walk around with the camera and film things they want..
Him: woooww…
….Silent…

Him: But then it is very difficult, because you will have to be clear on the theme, the topic of the movie otherwise they will not know what to do..
Me: I will not decide what it is they should film, I will only give them the skills.. But you see the process of making decision and choosing topics.. and all that.. are in my area of expertise and it is my responsibility to lead them through.. And it will take weeks, not a matter of 1 hour.. So don’t worry, as long as they like the ideas we can start to see how to organize it all

Blah blah..

Fred understood then what I meant, and I found out that 1 member in his group handle video camera very well and has actually filmed their event on World Aids Day. I also suggested that once the film is produced by the community it can be a very effective tool to draw attention from external funders.., or it can be filmed in other areas to simply link the 2 communities together. Also selected members of the group can be co-facilitator with me to understand the process, and even after I leave they can carry on the work, because the good news is the group owns a Sony Video camera. Of course while everything is just an idea, I made sure Fred understand that the TfD training is still the main task.

After we got down from the bus, Robert came up to me and started talking about video and stuff, and I realized he was the one with the video-camera skill. He is a nice and friendly man. We arrived the office and found 12 members inside, they were all sitting around to wait for the PSI person to come. Fred went outside and Robert came to me and said: “As Fred is not here, I want to ask you something. I heard you talk to him about handling camera to community.., and you know I am quite good at filming so may be you can involve me as your co-facilitator.. I mean I should let you know before you choose some body else” (inside, I was like: “perrrrrfect!”), then Robert said that he’d like some editing skill and he feels very happy that I have all the equipment here. Yes Grek, Paul Z and David Glass, all I have is ..imovie, 12” powerbook, and a 250Gb lacie Hard drive… ok ok ok… I explained to Robert that he will need the software or an editing suite to actually be able to do it, but it is no harm if he can sit with me and go through the editing and try it out himself, it is better than nothing! And I told him I would be able to loan him a book on editing skill if I have it with me… and he was really really really happy and praying that I have it!
Now dear DAVE PARMENTER (forgive me if I spelled it wrong) I don’t have the book with me but may be you can help me arranging with the college’s bookstore to order a book called “Grammar of the Edit” by roy Thompson, produced by Focal Press. It costs around £15 and I will cover the cost (I am rich, ain’t I). It would be great if you can bring it with you when you come to see me in Kenya. Thank you sooo much!

Moving on. I was so hungry and one member got Fred and me a banana each. I don’t actually eat banana (funny feel in the mouth) but I finished one very quickly and was polite enough to refuse another one (meaning if I said “yes”, they would have to go and buy one more). I realized there was a little fruit store opposite the office, so I went and selected myself a big mango. I remembered very well that I shouldn’t eat street food, but mango is safe if I don’t eat the skin. It costs 15 shilling (137 shilling = £1). I ate the mango happily and gave the lady a 500 note. Consequence: I owed Fred 15 shilling.

It was nearly 3pm and the PSI person had not come. There were only 6 members now as the rest had left for lunch. I thought of starting some games with them to cheer up the atmosphere but wondered if I should wait for other members.. Finally, I was fed up of the tiredness and lazy feel in the room, waiting sleepily for someone. So I asked them if they’d like to play some games while waiting and all said “Ok”. I sprang up and waited for them in the middle of the room. 5 minutes later, each of them o…n…e b..y.. o…n…e.. s…t…o…o…d up. 5 more minutes and we had a standing circle of 7 people. Now, Dave Parmenter, David Glass, Rob, and Al, I deserve a good clap as I was quite patient without even the need to write on my palm: “SLOW DOWN”.

I remembered Alex’s rhythm games where we made up our own sound and the whole group repeats after in rhythmic manner. I didn’t know how comfortable they were toward playing games as adults, so I started with something simple: clapping, then encouraged somebody to introduce different style on the same bpm. Then we did the voice thing.. then playing with our names in different tones and rhythms so I can remember the name of each member.. I noticed a nice, trendy looking lady walked in and guessed it was the person from PSI but she said we should carry on what we were doing.

After the game I asked if they’d like another one, a girl said “YES!” while the rest kept quiet!!! Not enough, one guy suggested: “May be something more interesting”. Kill me.

As cool as cucumber (ehem) I asked them if they know any games and if they can show me how to play it. You should see the “transformation”.. they quickly exchanged a few words to each other and also quickly instructed me, and there we found ourselves in lively African vocal rhythm with funny movement (one hand on a knee). The game finished quickly and they were not satisfied, they discussed very quickly again and came up with a game on concentration (overheard them in Swahili).. A really good game, requiring good concentration and very lively in rhythm that made of body percussion and voice. The game is called “Preso, vice, secre” (in French) and it started with the Preso calling out to the group: “Preso Preso Oi Oi”, at the same time everyone in the group is doing simple body percussion (hands flicking and knees tapping) and repeat the call. The preso then called out “Preso preso two two” and the one in the “two” position should immediately respond without missing the rhythm “Two two secre secre” (or any “name” that she wants that exist in the circle), doing the percussion at the same time.. I did well first 3 rounds and after that failed several times, keeping in mind Tim’s words that failing is also one way of gaining acceptance in the group.

We enjoyed the game very much and members who came back from lunch also joined us so we actually had a bigger and bigger circle.. After that we sat down together and the lady and me were introduced to each other. The lady asked to see a new play on abstinent, called “Say Chill” (the “chill” V fingers are being promoted by PSI as a symbol of “cool” abstinent).

Here is the play (with the interpretation by Fred):
Scene 1: A young male adolescent reading the bible on a bench in a park. 2 male friends of him came and told him the bible is not a cool thing and it doesn’t solve the problem. The main character said his girlfriend said this and that. Basically, according to Fred, the friends were putting bad influence on the main character. Friends exited.

Scene 2: Our main character stood up and talked to himself (reminded me of the Nghi Loc troupe hee hee) that his friends might be right because they were having better life than him.

Scene 3: Girlfriend waiting. Main character came in with a change in his greeting style that caused suspicion to the Gf. Seemed like she told him he will get a bad consequence of HIV/ STIs.. in which he didn’t listen

Scene 4: Main character introduced to a new gf who asked him to take her out.. creating impression that she is liberal (for me) or spoilt (for the group).

Scene 5: Main character walked in in a “sick” way (he was sick, it meant). All of sudden every characters was on stage and the male friends told him that he had bad consequence and that he should change. Then all of sudden each character said to the audience, showing the V fingers “Say chill”.. The End.

The PSI lady seems like a nice lady, a bit cheesy (“ohhh.. I know you haaatteeee.. meee..,” things like that) but that helped her appear more informal and “vulnerable” to the group. She was very friendly and they had a very informal discussion. The group members were confident and they were not scared of her or whatsoever. She gave her comments as follow:
1. “Chill” doesn’t mean Christianity
2. The target audience is pupil from 10- 15 yrs, not 15-20.
3. The play should be more fun, trendy, fashionable
4. Actors shouldn’t be shy to say “Chill” themselves

The group started arguing that PSI doesn’t invest on costumes and so they can’t act like small children. Well it was a lengthy discussion, the lady ended up telling the group that their plays are not convincing, they are not good at acting. Etc.. And that they should feel lucky that she came to see the play even before the TfD see it (not me, PSI’s hired TfD person)

The group demanded a traditional drum so they can dance and do many thing in the community. The lady said there is one at 6oo shillings and the drama group leader (male) said that the one he was thinking of is 7,000 shillings, and was refused.

Anyway, here is the info. I got after observing:

1. The drama group consists of 15 members who are the KCYP organization members themselves.
2. Among 15 members, 9 are females
3. Ages: 19-25 yrs old
4. Besides these members, the org. has 7 more volunteers who came in and out, but the above is a solid group so it is quite good that the organization is the drama group themselves
5. The drama group has been working in drama for 2 yrs
6. The drama group has been working with PSI for 5 months
7. The group leader is a male, my impression is he is not a quick minded person compare to other members, but he is responsible, sincere, and a bit conservative
8. There have been 2 PSI hired TfD persons worked with the drama group. But all they did were watching the play and pointing out mistakes.
9. The group expressed verbally to the PSI person that they’d like a more practical support in TfD skills, like developing story, acting, etc.. not just being watched and told about their mistakes (Hello? Am I invisible?)
10. The group seems to be serious, not sure if they integrate comedy in their performance
11. The group believed in involving audience participation and argued with me that audience only learn if they participates in the play by asking questions and by being asked ‘how do you feel, what do you think of this character..” (they thought I didn’t understand)
12. The group has not thought of the possibility that audience can also change the plays and act out as a character, forgetting about “audience owned play”..
13. Along with theatrical skills, life skills, forum theatre and facilitation skills needed
14. The group consists of very confident and committed individuals.

We then had a good verbal discussion around;
- Who I am, what I do, my purposes of being in Kibera (for my course, and for the group)
- What they expect to gain in 3 mth training
- What their long term vision is (movie stars, independent theatre group who can produce its own production and can evaluate its own performance)
- What I intend to achieve, based on where they are now
- Agreement on rough plan and objective (verbally) (theatrical, forum theatre and facilitation skills)
- Agreement that “we will take it easy” in the first 2 weeks to get to know each other, so they will be patient with me.
- Agreement on the basic structure of a day (warm up, exercises for particular skills, appointed interpreter who will also act as co-facilitator, forum and evaluation by end of each day)
- Agreement on timing (Mon, Wed, Thurs mornings, from 9am to 12am, flexible if there’s good reason and approved by the whole group)
- An interpreter for Wednesday volunteered
- Floor mats discussed and hopefully will be available on Wednesday


Basically the group seemed very happy and is looking forward to this Wednesday. They were actually clapping when I said “Immediate aim is to show PSI how good we are!” hehe.

My objective for Wednesday is to get group explore the concept and possibilities of TfD, using still images or picture drawing (stationery prob. here) and for me to understand each member through self-introduction games. If there is still time, I will put in exercises for theatrical skill. Actual planning will be tomorrow night.

Tomorrow (tuesday) I will see the group’s performance and film it for part of the evaluation after 3 months.


Now, I will sleep, it’s 2am.

Thank you to those who actually made it till this point.

Love

Ly

5th February 05

Kenya, Nairobi, KIbera

So here I am in Nairobi.., I feel very emotional right now, missing my hubby and missing the good condition I had in England.

My luggages were overweighted in England and they would charge me 600 pounds for it.. I was really running around re-weighting the stuff and begging the airport people..in the circumstance that "you have to run right now to gate 25, it takes you 20 mins to reach there and the flight will take off in 20 mins.." mean while I was still stuck with 25 kgs over-weights.. I was crazy and sweating and running with 2 huge bags and 2 hand bags..

Finally one staff let me go through.

I arrived Nairobi airport and had good feeling because it looks like Vietnam’s. However, only 1 luggage arrives, the other one with my media equipments, tripod, books, tapes.. is missing. I have claimed lost baggage and they suppose the bag is misplaced some where (other flights to other country) and will be send back tomorrow or day after. Many other passengers were in the same situation as mine, and there were many luggages with no owners as well.

I met the people who picked me up. There were 4 of them, one middle aged man, 1 young guy with disability, another young guy, and one young girl. They are the: father of the hosting family, Fred- the group leader, his fellow, and the daughter of the family. They were friendly but not as enthusiastic as I thought (hehe).. they were shy and I ended up shaking their hands. The father was very open and conversational. We walked towards the car and they didn’t let me take care of my bags, we walked at normal speed but after sometime I realized Fred is left far behind on his own, trying to catch up.

I didn’t have a chance to sit with Fred but the daughter. The father talked to me a bit and told me about the city as we passed through areas.. Finally we went to ‘Kibera" area and he pointed out rich houses belong to westerners or high profile officers in Kenya.. the houses are really big and beautiful.. The father also told me that right behind these bigs houses are slum area in total contrast. And he said "the rich and the poor live side by side".., we also went pass a bar/pub which looks extremely interesting to me because it was built with wood painted in red and white, with neon light and people drinking inside. The father told me this is where all rich people of this area come and drink and hang out, evidence was white cars in front of the pub. The car then stopped in a dark and empty land where Fredrick and his friend got down.. I felt extremely emotional because I always wanted to talk to Fred but we had no chance, and he just quietly got down from the car (with his 2 sticks) and so was his friend.. I had to reached out and said "Will I see you tomorrow?’ and he said "We will come tomorrow". As the car drove off I looked through the glass and saw Fredrick trying to catch up with his friend in to the darkness.. I wonder where they stay, and what that place is like..

Within a short time we arrive at the family’s house. The car was 16 seats car drove inside the yard. The house is of middle class, they have front yard and back yard with a well/concrete water tank and place to wash. I entered the house and was immediately over-whelmed by the tight arrangement of sofas and tables, seems like they have too many sofas and so they decided to display all of them. They were in red velvet with covering sheet in white embroided with red roses. The living room is quite small and remind me of a middle class Indian house where everything is tight and busy looking. I greated the mother of the house and she was friendly but just sat there by the door, while I continue to go into the inner part of the living room. I expected to be shown the room but the father just sat down and talked to me casual things, asking me why I choose Kibera, why TfD..etc.. He also put on TV where English series were on and really funny.

My head was aching and I needed a rest but the father just kept me busy by talking to me. He asked me if I wanted to take a bath and I said yes I’d like to fresh up. And he talked in Swahili to his family members .. and then again talked to me.. I was impatient and didn’t know if I was expected to ask or I should just wait, so I asked the father where the bathroom is and he said "Oh my daughter are preparing it for you".. and then I saw the girl boiling water in the kitchen, and after sometime take the the bucket up stair. My luggages were brought upstair by them as well. I was really curious what they were preparing and how my room look like.. Anyway after a long time, the girl came down and gave me a sign that it was ready. I followed her up stair and she showed me the bathroom which is about 4.5m2, full of clothes (1 metter tall) on the basin, and a bath tub with hot water bucket and cold water bucket. The bath tub is old and doesn’t seem to work. She then showed me "my" room, here come the main part: as she opened the door I saw 2 beds in a room of 8m2. On the beds there were pillows and lots of blankets. She said "This is where all the girl stay" and I realize this was intended to include me as well. I then asked her "what about you, where do you stay?" and she said: "here". I was a bit shocked and was trying to cope. When she walked out I stood there and look at the whole scene again, and realized those blankets on the king-size bed actually contained people underneath, sleeping. I looked carefully and realized there were 2 small children who might be the daughters. I then looked at the queen size bed right next to it, I saw 2 pillows placed each in 1 end of the bed. And I figured out I was expected to share the bed with the older girl at 69 position.

I felt shocked and overwhelmed and constantly told myself to calm down and relax, and that I am there to experience this. I walked down the stair and sat with the father again, he mentioned the monthly payment and we agreed at 150 dollars/ month. Later I checked with him if I were sharing the room and the bed with his daughters, and he confirmed it. I asked him to show me the place to keep my belonging and he and his wife took me up stair. He showed me his office, which is much bigger and nicer than the rest I have seen, he said I can use this to study and type things, and that he normally lock the room but he will give me a key to use it anytime I like. I then asked him if it is possible to open the window while sleeping because I imagine it would be sufficated with 5 girls in a room of 8m2 (there was another girl as well). He said yes and also told me I am welcome to even sleep in the office if I like.., so some how we looked around and I mentioned I don’t mind just a sheet of something put on the floor of the office and sleep there. He thought of buying a folded bed but I said no need for that. He checked if I would feel comfortable to sleep on the floor and I said of course. The mother immediately went and brought to the office a queen sized mattress, blanket, bed sheet, pillow.. and we quickly arranged and now I am typing this on my new bed in the father’s office. I feel very comfortable here and glad I have a space of my own.

The father explained about how I will have to heat water in the kitchen and then bring it upstair if I want warm water.. and that I can cook for myself, or teach the girl Vietnamese dishes, or just tell them what I like to eat or what I can’t eat and they cook and I will eat with them… So far so good, a part from initial shock I feel quite trusting and safe here with this family. They said the kids looks forward to meeting me and they will be very excited tomorrow morning. I mentioned wanting to learn Swahili and they said the children would be the best teachers.

6th Feb

This morning the children’s voice woke me up. I had to think for a moment to realise that I was in Africa. I didn’t know what time it was but it was lovely weather as I can see through the window, there was a banana tree and beautiful sun shine. I heard the children voice and I wanted to interact with them so I quickly got up. After looking at the clock I realised I had only slept for 3 hours. It was 7am. The children are like angels, they are very curious but they love being with me, so I spent the morning playing with them on the bed, they are very "clingy" and always love to find comfy spot to lean on me. All the 4 kids (smallest 2yrs, then 4, then 5, then 6) love sucking their thumbs and they are really cute! Now the first Kiswahili words I learnt today was "Funga macho", told to me by the 3 year old, meaning "Close your eyes"… how cute… she loves doing tricks!

The mother sorted out place to keep my belongings, I start to feel comfortable of interacting with 5-6 people in one room. The mother told me she moves me back to the shared room because Proffessor (father) sometime works until late night. This time however, I have my own bed, next to the other one. The weather was lovely and beautiful sunshine with cool pleasant breeze reminded me of the time I was on the beach!!! This make me miss Dave my husband very much, because he is now on the beach chilling out!

I finished typing 3 more pages and the computer in the shop shutted down. So I will be quick: the children love me, they are of different ages, 2, 4,5,6. I played with them whole morning and was fascinated to watch them play as well. The first words I learnt were from the 3 yr old baby "Funga macho" meaning "close your eyes"…

Breakfast was at 10am, yummy, it was more like lunch , with rice, pan cakes, red chicken gravy, bean, sandwiches. Fred came at noon and we went out for a walked even though his original plan didn’t include me. I was curious to see the surrounding area so I asked him to let me come with him. The 5 yr old boy wanted to come along and silently followed us, holding my hand very tight, ofcourse.

Later the baby was tired and I took him on my back, it feels less invasive when I walked around with a local baby on my back. The area was beautiful, pleasant sunshine and nice breeze reminded me of the beach. We later waked to Kibera slum area and there I started to get nervous as people seem more intense and things look more busy here.

Then we visited Fred’s house, small one just like other little mud-straw house in the slum area. Then we went to the office of the Kibera Community Youth Program, also in the slum area. The room was just big enough for 15 people running around, the floor was concreted but broken and dusty, surrounding area is very noisy with music and all that.. Anyway, I was told they get used to the loud music and just ignore it. Plus point: high concentration trained, I will need to catch up though.

Then we came to this cyber café where after 1 hr of typing everything got shut down.

Tomorrow I will go to the city centre to change money and buy basic stuff, then visit the group and may be play some games..

That’s all for now, bit frustrated about the shut-down. In short I am happy and very [popular among the children in the family now.

Love

Ly



PS: the luggage was found and has arrived safely at the home I am staying.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear all,

I am doing Master degree in Theatre and Media for Development in the UK. Via internet I have been able to linked up with a group of young people in Kibera, Kenya to help them proceed as a community drama group. I will arrive Nairobi on the 5th of February 2005 (yes, 2 more weeks, hurray!) and I will be there for 3-4 months. Apart from theatre work with the group I will also make documentary film on life of Kibera habitants. Before doing this master degree I worked as UN and NGO staff for 3 years in Vietnam.

I am a married female, non religious, 23 year old, very pleasant, good sense of humour, enjoy life and very well-travelled. I am looking for opportunity to home-stay (only me) with a Kenyan family, so that I can enjoy the culture and learn more about Kenyan people. I can pay for my stay as well.

The group I am working with has been trying its best but couldn't find home-stay option for me. I am at the "risk" of spending lonely time in a hostel.. for 4 months!!!
If you know any family who is happy to host a Vietnamese girl who is very easy to go along, please link us together! Or simply spread the words around. Even if I arrive Nairobi and stay in a hostel I will constantly look for home-stay option.

Thank you,

Ly