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