GlobalGiving.org: Transform Lives of African Youth by Making Films

Feel Great about Your Self: Dorcas' Story

Pamela Collett with Dorcas Saisi — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:59:03 GMT

Dorcas Saisi, outside Hot Sun Foundation office

My name is Dorcas Saisi. I am 23. I moved to Kibera, a slum in Nairobi, Kenya, two years ago. There was nothing for me in my village. Like so many farmers, I came to Nairobi to look for a job.

My first job was as a house help. I was paid only Kes 2,000 per month (about US$25) although the official minimum wage in Kenya is Kes 6,000. Sometimes the family would wake me at 3 am telling me to get busy and clean the house. I just couldn't do it. I worked so hard but they were never satisfied.

I decided to become a security guard. But I was fired when I was unjustly accused of taking something from someone's house.

A friend told me about Hot Sun Foundation. I want to be a filmmaker so I can show the world how servants and other poor people are mistreated.

My parents are praying for the success of Hot Sun Foundation. They hope that more and more poor people can have the opportunity to become filmmakers.

What is my message for our friends and supporters?

When people are helping Hot Sun Foundation, they can see for themselves from our films that they are promoting our talents.

When you help someone else, it makes you feel great about yourself.

Please offer the opportunity to become filmmakers to more slum youth.

Contribute at http://www.globalgiving.org/3632. A monthly recurring contribution is especially helpful.

Thank you for promoting our talents.

Francis and Dorcas, Kibera Film School trainees

Links:

Bad Company to Good: Polycap Sara's Story

Pamela Collett and Polycap Sara — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:23:27 GMT

Polycap (r) at Slum Film Festival workshop

What was my turning point? I have a lot to say. I had a job as a mechanic and lost it. I became idle, doing weird things, using drugs, staying in bad company. My life was not sustaining me.

Then I was arrested for a cell phone theft. Jail is a new world. You have to survive on your own. No parents. No family. No support. I felt everyone was against me. I didn't even want to take meals.

My sister got me out of jail. She paid for the cost of the cell phone. But still she thought I was a crook. I promised her I would change. I came to Kibera because it's a bit cheaper to live here.

A friend brought me to the Slum Film Festival workshop at Hot Sun Foundation. Filmmaking was good from the beginning. I applied and got into Kibera Film School

For me life is different at Hot Sun Foundation. Here something is being done in the slums by people who take the work seriously.

What is my message to our supporters?
What I think about them is that they are kind-hearted, helping someone you don't know really takes a big heart. They are giving us a chance to express ourselves. They are changing lives.

I really want to tell our supporters just keep on with a willing heart and for sure they will get a reward.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Please keep up the good work by helping us at http://www.globalgiving.org/3632

Many thanks,
Polycap

Polycap with Kibera TV logo

Kibera Film School trainees, Polycap and Felix

Links:

Bad Luck to Good: Ronald Omondi's Story

Pamela Collett with Ronald Omondi — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:19:38 GMT

Ronald Omondi outside Hot Sun Foundation office

My name is Ronald Omondi. I am 23 years old. I live in Kibera.

Things were going good for me. I had a sponsored job that allowed me to also go to school. Then something went wrong with the sponsorship program and I was out on the street again. Selling CDs. In the slum, you can find yourself falling into drugs and hanging out with the idle youth.

A friend told me about the Slum Film Festival at Hot Sun Foundation. I attended a workshop, applied to Kibera Film School and here I am.

Since I joined Hot Sun Foundation, it's like a home to me. I am gaining more talents. The staff is treating us well. We learn in a relaxed and open way.

I really appreciate what supporters on Global Giving are doing for us. You are good Samaritans helping slum youth who don't have the opportunity to gain knowledge in filmmaking.

I appreciate that you are helping youth who live far away from you.

Happy Holidays and many thanks to all friends of Hot Sun Foundation wherever you are.

Ronald Omondi with camera & Hot Sun sign

Ronald with other Kibera Film School trainees

Links:

Luck and Success: Michael Robert's Story

Pamela Collett and Michael Robert Munyore — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:36:22 GMT

Michael Robert outside Hot Sun Foundation office

My name is Michael Robert Munyore. I am 21 years old

My father passed away when I was eight years old. My dad's relatives raised me. My mother is somewhere in Western Kenya. I am lucky. I'm on my own but my cousin in Kibera helped me finish high school.

When I look to my future, I see success. I don't do drugs. So many friends wasted their lives with drugs, petty crime. I want to go somewhere with my life. That's why I don't look back and worry about the past.

I always had a passion for filmmaking. I came across the Hot Sun Foundation sign in Kibera and wanted to know what was behind it. I joined Kibera TV as a volunteer. I then applied and joined Kibera Film School. Remember I said I am lucky and focused on my future.

My life in Hot Sun has improved me in so many ways. I have made good contacts with filmmakers in the school and good friends. When I need support I know whom to go to. I have grown education wise. I am building my character and my career at the same time. So far so good.

What is my message to Global Giving supporters?
I would tell them they should not give up. They are investing in success. What they give today will be given back to them tomorrow.

Continue to support young filmmakers at http://www.globalgiving.org/3632

Be creative. During the holiday season, you can give a gift to Hot Sun Foundation and have a gift card sent to your friend or family member.

Many thanks for all you do.

Sincerely,
Michael Robert

Michael at Skype session with Writers Guild (USA)

Links:

Family Support: Quenter's Story

Pamela Collet with Quenter Okumu — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:10:20 GMT

Quenter outside Hot Sun Foundation office

My name is Quenter Okumu. I am 24.
I live in Kibera with my two children: Mario 4 1/2 and Kyla 2 1/2. My mom has a tailoring shop in Kibera. She takes care of my children while I study full time at Kibera Film School . My mother gives me her full support to learn filmmaking. She drives me, telling me you have to do it.

What do you like about Kibera Film School?
The way we treat each other. No one laughs at you or asks how come you don't know this. He or she shows you how to do something. At Kibera Film School, it is mostly men.

Why are there not more women at Kibera Film School?
What can I say? Most women lack someone to motivate them - to push them . When your family is not supporting you, they tell you that you can't do this - you have to look for a job - you have to take care of the family. Women are not encouraged to go to school or get technical training like filmmaking.

My Message to Global Giving supporters?
Congratulations for what you are doing. Don't lose hope or lose heart. Keep helping youth from Kibera, those that want to go farther.
I am really excited about Amazing Race Kibera. This is our chance to show people what is going on in Kibera and get more support for Kibera Film School. People will follow clues that take them to different community groups and learn about their work.

Please spread the word about Hot Sun Foundation (http://www.globalgiving.org/3632) on facebook, twitter, emails.

Thank you SOO SOO SOO much. Without your support, I and the others couldn't be here at Kibera Film School.

Quenter with Flip camera

Links:

On My Own - Vincent's Story

Pamela Collett with Vincent Oduor — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:52:37 GMT

Vincent Oduor outside Hot Sun Foundation Office

My name is Vincent Oduor. I am 20 years old.

I've been on my own in Kibera since 15, when my mother died. My dad died when I was ten. When relatives came to take my younger brothers and sisters back to their village, I argued with them. I refused to leave. I thought I would have a better chance to go to school in Kibera than in the village.

I had no family left in Kibera. My neighbors helped me. They believed in me and paid for my textbooks. I worked to pay my school fees. I did it. I graduated from high school.

I never had a childhood. I always had to work. I used to help my mom with the younger children. I don't think about going out or fancy clothes. I'm not like some other youth. I value myself and my future.

I love to write… stories… plays… A friend told me about Kibera Film School. I decided that through film I could reach more people with my stories. At Hot Sun Foundation, we share the same vision - working as a team to be good filmmakers

My message to Global Giving supporters: You have really done a great job.

Some of us youth from the slums didn't know we could do certain things in life, like enter big buildings in downtown Nairobi, get respect from upper classes, have people appreciate our videos.

Just keep giving us this opportunity. We know we can be creative. We can make it with your support.

I really do appreciate your joining us in the AMAZING RACE for KIBERA.

Many thanks. Happy Holidays to all of you and your families! Keep up the good work!

Vincent with Program Coordinator Josphat Keya

Visit by Belgian Ambassador to Hot Sun Foundation

Links:

Participate AMAZING RACE for KIBERA 23 Nov - 31 Dec

Pamela Collett — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:27:58 GMT

While Hot Sun Foundation and Kibera Film School are celebrating the Amazing Race Kibera on Dec 3, 2011 in Kibera, supporters and friends around the world will join them in

The Amazing Race FOR Kibera 23 November - 31 December

A race to see how many lives we can touch, how many people we can change through our participation with Hot Sun Foundation and Kibera Film School on http://www.globalgiving.org/3632

Every week: A new profile of one of the youth whose lives have been changed thanks to you.

Special Prizes during the Amazing Race Kibera
• KIBERA KID DVDs
• Selections of Kibera Film School and Kibera TV Sept 2011 DVDs

24 November 2011 USA Thanksgiving
Start your Thanksgiving Celebration by helping others. First donation on Thanksgiving wins a DVD of award-winning film KIBERA KID

3 Dec 2011 Amazing Race FOR Kibera
First person to donate any amount AND POST on facebook an update on Amazing Race Kibera and that they donated : wins a DVD of Kibera Film School/Kibera TV Short Film SELECTIONS

First person to donate any amount AND TWEET about Amazing Race Kibera and their donation: wins a DVD of Kibera Film School/Kibera TV Short Film SELECTIONS

24 Dec 2011 Christmas Eve: make someone's Christmas brighter
Last person to donate any amount: wins a DVD of KIBERA KID

25 Dec 2011 Start your Christmas celebration off by sharing with someone in Kibera
The FIRST person to donate any amount: wins KIBERA KID DVD

31 Dec 2011 Last chance to win the Amazing Race Kibera
LAST person to donate any amounts wins a DVD of Kibera Film School/Kibera TV Short Film SELECTIONS

Between 23 Nov - 31 December Amazing Race Kibera
Everyone donating $200 or more: wins a KIBERA KID DVD AND KFS/KTV Selections
Everyone donating $125 wins a DVD of Kibera Film School/Kibera TV Short Film SELECTIONS

Thanks for all you do! Enjoy your holiday season and share the joy with others!

Follow the AMAZING RACE Kibera on twitter and facebook

Links:

Variety Magazine (Los Angeles CA) on Hot Sun Foundation

Attachments:

Amazing Race Kibera 3 Dec 2011 Poster (PDF)

A Heartfelt THANK YOU

Kibera Film School with Clarence Ilavonga — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:35:11 GMT

Kibera Film School Trainees want to Thank You for your ongoing support.
Your are appreciated. You are changing lives.

Reminder: October 19 is GlobalGiving Matching Day when your support goes farther.

Please check out the spontaneous, heartfelt thank you which Kibera Film School trainees did today for you.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTdXGWYtIRI

OR http://www.kiberatv.blogspot.com/

Asante Sana!

Thank you so much!

Links:

Miracle on facebook: Reinhert's Story

Reinhert Onduru with Pamela Collett — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:54:19 GMT

Reinhert in front of Hot Sun Foundation sign board

My name is Reinhert Onduru. I am 18 years old. Facebook brought me to Hot Sun Foundation. I came to Kibera from my home on the Western side of Kenya, many hours away, near the border with Uganda.

I had a friend on facebook - a German woman who does charity work in Nairobi. I told her that after a year of not paying secondary school fees, I was shown the door. Although I had to drop out of school and help my mom at her food stall, I started a film club in my home town, Kisumu. My dream has always been to make movies.

I've never met my facebook friend in person. When I asked for her help to study filmmaking, she told me she had heard about a film school in Kibera. I contacted the Hot Sun Foundation coordinator on facebook. When he called me and told me to come to Nairobi for an interview, I dropped the phone I was so excited.

My parents were unsure. "But Kibera is just a big slum. How can there be a film school there?" I had to show them the Hot Sun Foundation website on my mobile phone. Then they believed me. They said I could go, but they had no money to support me.

Now, I live in a small room at the Hot Sun Foundation office. Before I came here, I knew nothing about making films. In the film club back home, we wrote short plays and called them scripts. Now I know how to write scripts and use a video camera.

When I have learned everything I possibly can about filmmaking at Hot Sun Foundation, I'll go back home to Kisumu. I want to build our film club into a real film training center so we can tell our stories.

My message to the friends of Hot Sun Foundation is to keep on supporting us. Hot Sun Foundation does help us youths learn filmmaking. We can reach people through our short films. Then they can see that we've done something. When we finish our training, we can train others. Help us help others.

Please remember to donate on Wed. Oct 19th MATCHING DAY at http://www.globalgiving.org/3632.

I am very grateful for the opportunity that facebook and Hot Sun Foundation gave me to learn filmmaking. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Reinhert

Reinhert at Hot Sun

Links:

Passionate Appeal - Alice's Story

Alice Motieri with Pamela Collett — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:43:45 GMT

Alice outside Hot Sun Foundation office

My name is Alice Motieri. I am 24 years old. I live in Kibera.

My challenges began at 15, when I lost my mom. She died after a sudden illness. Fifteen months later my father died. I managed to finish secondary school with funds from my mother's estate.

Then my life became confused. I wanted to go to law school, but the funds were not there. Then it was nursing school, but that didn't work out. Next I studied filmmaking at a private institution in Nairobi. I ran out of funds and did not get my certificate.

I moved to Kibera to live with my sister. While watching TV, I saw a story about the Kenyan feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME and the awards it won. I decided to search for Hot Sun Foundation.

I found Hot Sun Foundation and became a volunteer at Kibera TV. Then I attended Kibera Film School. Some men think women cannot do technical work. I know I can. Without a doubt, filmmaking is the career for me.

To all Hot Sun Foundation friends and supporters, I so much appreciate your efforts to bring us all along. I have acquired so much through your help.

Please continue with the same generous spirit. We have more and more projects to do, and more of our youths without funds are applying for Kibera Film School.

On Wed. Oct. 19, Matching Day, remember to contribute to Hot Sun Foundation on www.globalgiving.org/3632

Asante sana. Thank you for your support.

Alice

PS Please check out on hitflics.com my short film Passionate Appeal (2 min 17 seconds). Currently I am in a three-way tie for first place
http://www.hitflics.com/preview/view_member_video.php?movieid=404

Alice at Writers Guild scriptwriting SKYPE session

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME banner at Slum Film Festival

Links:

Turning Point - Wicky's Story

Wickliffe Mboya with Pamela Collett — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:45:32 GMT

Wicky in front of Hot Sun Foundation, Nairobi

My name is Wickliffe Otieno Mboya. I am 23 years old. Before I came to Hot Sun Foundation, my life took a wrong turn. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. They were somehow misleading me - taking drugs, working at night, not sure what they were doing. I had contact with Hot Sun Foundation as an extra in the award-winning feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME. Then I drifted back to the streets. Hanging out. Doing nothing. Looking for easy money. Me and my friends are called "idle youth". Mercy Murugi, producer of TOGETHERNESS SUPREME and trustee at Hot Sun Foundation saw me. I asked her for 30 shillings to buy a soda. She refused and told me to come with her to the Hot Sun Foundation office. I started working as a volunteer with Kibera TV, an online community news service at Hot Sun Foundation. Then I was accepted to Kibera Film School where I learned all aspects of filmmaking. To this day I am working with Hot Sun Foundation. I go back to the street and tell my old friends, they can change their ways. Most of them are gone - either dead or in jail. I go back to see my mum and bring her food for the family. She marvels and tells me that I am a different Wicky from the one she knew. What does Hot Sun Foundation offer to the larger community? When someone sees the me before and the me now, he asks where I am coming from. I am not the way I used to be. I used to only take. Now I am a positive person in the community, sharing all that I've got. Every film that we do here is based on a true life story - something that effects the community. When they see the films, they get a teaching out of it. People should continue to contribute to Hot Sun Foundation. We are making peace through showing our films, like TOGETHERNESS SUPREME. We need to bring peace in different locations. We don't have money for that. Hot Sun Foundation brought a turning point for me and many youths in slums. Here's my message to our supporters: Thank you for what you are doing. You are really touching people's lives - that's what all people should aspire to. Even if it is only one life, you will be remembered for that. I only ask you to continue - changing lives, bringing peace through creating young filmmakers. Please mark 19 October Wednesday on your calendar. On that day, Global Giving will match your donation, making it go much farther. Thank you. Remember Wed. 19 October is Matching Day. I'll look for you then. Sincerely, Wicky

Wicky explains Slum Film Festival to visitor

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME, feature film made in Kibera

Links:

Peace in Every Corner

Pamela Collett — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:10:23 GMT

Emmanuel Jal, global peace activist

A special visitor to Hot Sun Foundation this month - Emmanuel Jal, South Sudanese former "lost boy", hip hop rapper for peace who lived many years in Kenya, now on a mission for peace (http://www.we-want-peace.com). Jal came to Hot Sun Foundation in Kibera, sitting outside our office in a circle of plastic chairs under a corrugated tin roof

Youth from Kibera, sharing their stories of the post election violence in Kenya (Dec 2007 - March 2008)
- Waking up one morning and your aunt tells you the sad news of the murder of your parents, travelling on the road

- The loss of a friend, chopped down

- Another friend who lost his legs

- A young man whose girl friend was snatched away and raped

One youth from Kibera commented,
Before we had been living in peace and did not know what it was until we lost it in the post election violence now we know. Now we must ensure that the violence never happens again

Talking, sharing, texting, filming for PEACE That is the focus of the young filmmakers at Hot Sun Foundation.

Support Peace in Every Corner (Amani Kila Choche)

Make a contribution today on http://www.globalgiving.com/3632

Spread the word on facebook, twitter, blogs and emails.

Thank you for all you do.

With your help, we are making a difference.

Meeting with Emmanuel Jal at Hot Sun Foundation

Filming Emmanuel Jal at Hot Sun Foundation

Links:

A Different View-Slum Film Festival Nairobi Kenya

Pamela Collett — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:19:27 GMT

Slum Film Festival logo Nairobi Aug 2011

When you hear the word "slum", what do you think of?

The mainstream media usually depicts slums as places of poverty, crime and violence. But in Nairobi and many other cities in sub Saharan Africa, urban slums are where most of the population lives. The living conditions may be substandard, but slums are home to many talented, creative young people with stories to tell.

Hot Sun Foundation has been working with youth in the slums of Nairobi since 2000. We started the Kibera Film School in 2009.

In August 2011, working with other slum-based cultural groups and with the support of the Spanish Embassy in Nairobi, Hot Sun Foundation initiated the Slum Film Festival that focuses on films made by and about the slums. The pilot edition of the Slum Film Festival focused on the images of slums in Nairobi. For two weeks, audiences in the Nairobi slums of Kibera and Mathare could watch films about their own lives made by young filmmakers.

Here's what Robert, 21, a Kibera Film School trainee has to say about the Slum Film Festival:

For me it meant the passion of art from the youths of Kibera Film School and other slum areas...exchanging our ideas and working as a team to tell our own stories.

The audiences were really motivated and inspired by what the youths are doing. They never thought that youth from the slums could become filmmakers.

With the next Slum Film Festival, we should not only consider the slums… we should move out with the slum perspective to reach the youths in other communities.

Your donations to Hot Sun Foundation make it possible for Robert and many other youth to get the skills needed to tell their stories using digital video technology.

Your donations offer new opportunities for talented youth to become community role models as filmmakers, artists and peacemakers.

Please donate TODAY. All of your donations are USA tax deductible.

Spread the word on facebook, twitter, blogs.

Thanks for all you do.

GG Spice entertains Slum Film Festival crowd

Robert, 21, Kibera Film School Trainee

Hot Sun Foundation team at Slum Film Festival

Links:

Kibera TV reports on Slum Film Festival

Kibera youth food drive for Kenyans suffering from famine

Pamela Collett — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:03:33 GMT

Kibera youth food drive for famine victims

The youth of Hot Sun Foundation started an inspiring initiative: Kibera Kwa WaKenya, which means Kibera for Kenya. Kibera youth are soliciting dry food goods, including maize meal, rice, dried beans for their brothers and sisters in the northern areas of Kenya who are suffering from famine due to prolonged drought.

Kibera, as the largest slum in East Africa, has received ongoing media attention, often negative, as a place of poverty where people ask for handouts. Kibera youth are showing their true colors by going to marketplaces, businesses, youth groups and asking for food donations for famine victims.

What has been the response? Overwhelmingly positive. Many people in Kibera have commented that this is a great idea because it shows the positive side of Kibera, that people are willing to help others. People of Kibera are inspired by the youth of Hot Sun Foundation.

Other groups and artists have joined with Hot Sun Foundation including Octopizzo, the young hip hop star from Kibera who heads an organization YGB (Young, Gifted and Black), Jah Army, a community organization, Bank Slave, a graffiti artist and Pamoja FM, community radio.

At Hot Sun Foundation, all the youth of Kibera Film School and Kibera TV skipped two lunches this week to donate the proceeds to Kibera Kwa WaKenya.

The Kibera Kwa WaKenya food drive ends on Saturday 27 August 2011 when the youth from Kibera will present to the Kenya Red Cross the food they have collected.

Kibera TV working with the community youth have made a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15f6KT9hfaU We are ready to donate. Kibera TV has been covering all of the food drive. You can see their videos on YouTube and kiberatv.blogspot.com.

The talent, creativity and community leadership of the youth of Kibera, working with Hot Sun Foundation is making a difference. You can make a difference for them. Keep the community spirit, the creativity, the possibilities expanding for the youth in Kibera.

Support Kibera Film School and Kibera TV to provide opportunities for youth with a passion for video storytelling.

DONATE TODAY.

Pass the word on facebook, twitter, blogs what youth of Kibera are doing.
Thanks for all you do!

Links:

Vincent Urges Support for Josphat Keya, his role model

Pamela Collett (with Vincent Oduor Ochieng') — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 05:36:48 GMT

Josphat Keya with Vincent Oduor Filming in Kibera

My name is Vincent Oduor Ochieng’. I live in Kibera, the largest slum in East Africa. I am 19 and currently I’m studying filmmaking at Kibera Film School.

I want to share about a close friend of mine - Josphat Keya, the Program Manager of Hot Sun Foundation, who is a great influence of my life. He is that one person who has made my passion in filmmaking grow to the level that it is now. Just recently Josphat selected me to be one of the trainees that were taking part in a movie set. In that set I was to be a set runner. After some days with the pieces of advice and motivation Josphat was giving me daily, I worked hard to an extent where I was elevated from just being a set runner to a third Assistant Director! When Josphat heard of this he congratulated me and told me to forge ahead.

In class Josphat was my first script teacher. He also gave me directing tips while I was doing my first project which he was my main character too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1BXz0UJacQ. The project came out to be the best.

Josphat started influencing me by drawing me closer to him first and creating that friendship bond. After which he took me through life practical examples of successes and failures, we discuss this together. I still need his guidance in my daily life.

To me Josphat is my role model. The responsibilities that lie in front of him daily at Hot Sun Foundation are so much that they need someone who can be able to steer everything well without rocking the whole organisation. I have seen him handle difficult situations that I thought he’d give up.

Now that he has this scholarship to Ghetto Film School, New York, it is a great opportunity to him. And through him it is a great opportunity to me too. Josphat has given up many things for the sake of this filmmaking industry. He has total belief in it. One thing, whenever Josphat talks about his future in filmmaking he doesn’t think of it as him alone, but also how he can help other fellow youth learn and be transformed. This is going to be a great opportunity for Josphat as a filmmaker, being that he is a promising writer and director. He is disciplined to make it through. Josphat is exceptional.

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Thanks to everyone who contributed on 15 June Matching Day!

Thanks to you, Josphat is only US$850 from his goal to raise the funds needed for his housing and food in New York during his film training at Ghetto Film School. Not just Josphat, but many young aspiring filmmakers like Vincent will benefit. Josphat only has till 1 July to raise the funds.

Contribute today at http://www.globalgiving.org/3632.

Everyone contributing $25 or more will get a postcard from Josphat!

Thanks for supporting talented young filmmakers like Josphat, who can inspire and train others!

Josphat assisting Vincent during filming

Josphat and Vincent at Hot Sun Foundation office

Links:

Josphat Keya's Story

Thanks and an Update on Nairobi goes to New York

Pamela Collett — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:17:23 GMT

Josphat Keya, program director, Kibera Film School

Here's Josphat Keya talking about Hot Sun Foundation and the Kibera Film School:

I was once told that films were only made by rich people, that meant that I had no chance of making films, taking the fact that I was born and raised in Kibera. I took a leap of faith and joined Kibera Film School. At the beginning I wasn't sure where I would end up, but in the long run my passion in film-making grew, I did not expect that film would take over my life like this. --Josphat Keya

Learn more on Josphat's video http://vimeo.com/25133848

Now Josphat has an unprecedented opportunity for himself, for Kibera Film School and for the youths in Kibera to go to New York City for two months film training. Josphat has been awarded a scholarship from the Ghetto Film School in the Bronx. The United State Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya will supply his flight ticket. Josphat still needs funds for housing and food.

In just one day, on June 15, Josphat received half the funds he needs. He sends his personal thanks to all who donated to make this historic opportunity possible.

Josphat will bring back invaluable experience and skills to share with other youth at the Kibera Film School. His leadership, passion and commitment have been proven to all.

Please donate on http://www.globalgiving.org/3632 Josphat will send a postcard about his experiences in New York to each person who donates $25 or more.

Josphat is planning to leave on 9 July 2011 so funds are needed right away.

Please donate today at http://www.globalgiving.org/3632

Pass the word on facebook, twitter, blogs, emails.

Thanks for all you do!

Links:

Josphat's video about Kibera Film School goes to New York!

Kibera Film School meets the Bronx (New York City)

Pamela Collett — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:22:02 GMT

Josphat Keya with KFS graduate Clarence Ilavonga

Hot Sun Foundation has been training youth in Kibera in film skills for several years. One of our goals is to become partners with film schools and training centers throughout the world. Now we have an opportunity for one of our filmmaker/ trainers from Kibera, to go to the Ghetto Film School in the Bronx, New York for two months' training in July, August 2011.

A community and industry panel chose Josphat Keya, who is also the current program coordinator for Hot Sun Foundation. Josphat will use this opportunity, one unprecedented and one-of-a-kind happening for a
resident of Kibera to go to New York, to increase his own skills and bring back new energy and ideas to help train other youth. Kibera Film School is based on the philosophy of youth training youth, with support from industry professionals.

This is a dream come true for Josphat and a big boost for Kibera youth, Kibera Film School and Hot Sun Foundation.

We need your support to help make it happen. We also welcome suggestions for other partnerships and exchanges with filmmakers and film schools throughout the world.

Wednesday 15 June is Global Giving Matching Day. All donations on that day will be matched by 30%. Mark it on your calendars.

Any day you choose to support young filmmakers in Kibera will be welcome. Josphat will send a postcard to each of you who contribute $25 or more.

Remember 15 June Wed is Global Giving Matching Day.

Thanks for all you do!

Links:

Kibera Film School (KFS) blog

East African YOUTH UNITY through Filmmaking

Pamela Collett — Tue, 17 May 2011 22:30:56 GMT

YOUTH UNITY workshop in Kampala, Uganda

In filmmaking, co-productions in Africa are usually with established film production companies from Europe. African-African co-productions are almost unheard of. African-African co-productions among young filmmakers living in east African urban slums undreamt of. Until now, with the TOGETHERNESS IS, Youth Unity in East Africa through filmmaking project.

In April 2011, young filmmakers from Hot Sun Foundation's Kibera Film School in Nairobi, Kenya held trainings and film screenings for youth in Kampala, Uganda. Hot Sun Foundation worked with Maisha Labs, and held screenings at Makerere University and Kampala National Theatre. The TOGETHERNESS IS Youth Unity project was funded by the Commonwealth Foundation.

Here's an example of a very powerful short video produced during the Hot Sun Foundation Youth Unity workshops in Kampala: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZloYnVjxw14 Dream of Peace in Congo. Anabel, a refugee from Congo living in Kampala, tells her story.

Victor Oluoch, a young filmmaker from Kibera Film School, who was one of the trainers talks about the workshop: The participants wished for more workshops like this to spread visual story telling so young people can have a voice to speak to the world. The participants also had their views on the workshop which to me were so powerful. They said that the workshop was a rebirth of a new life and hope in them, remember most of them were refugees from Congo. We had some from Rwanda too, and also some from Northern Uganda. It was all about fostering peace.
To my fellow Kenyans; We shouldn't ever wish for war again. We have a beautiful country to build not to destroy. I don't want to be a refugee, I want to stay home because home is peace.

You can help build Youth Unity in East Africa through youth training other youth in filmmaking to tell their stories. Your support of Hot Sun Foundation makes it possible.

Your support is needed NOW more than ever. The three-year foundation grant for Hot Sun Foundation ends in January 2012. To sustain the work of talented young filmmakers like Victor Oluoch, who is dedicated to peace and training others, we need you. Hot Sun Foundation is asking for your commitment.

If just 50 people would sign up for $40 per month, we can keep the doors open at Hot Sun Foundation and Victor Oluoch can keep training other youth in filmmaking.

Any amount is welcome. A monthly commitment is most useful so that Victor and Hot Sun Foundation know that the money is coming in each month.

Everyone that signs up for a monthly commitment of $25 or more, will receive a DVD of Short Films from Kibera.
Make a contribution today at globalgiving.org/3632.

Please spread the word on facebook, twitter and blogs.

THANKS!

YOUTH UNITY workshop discuss video storytelling

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Filmmaking opportunities for African slum Youth

Pamela Collett — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:58:17 GMT

Kibera Film School trainees learning editing

Twelve new trainees at Kibera Film School began classes in February 2011. At Hot Sun Foundation youth from Kibera have the opportunity to learn hands-on filmmaking that will make a difference for themselves and their community.

Hot Sun Foundation has three major programs.
1. Kibera Film School with hands-on comprehensive film training; check out kiberafilmschool.blogspot.com

2. Kibera TV, with community reports every week online, reflecting the community's concerns; visit kiberatv.blogspot.com

3. Hot Sun Film Klubs in primary and secondary schools, to encourage children to watch good films and consider filmmaking.

All of these community filmmaking activities offering hope and opportunities to East African children and youth living in urban slums depend on YOUR support!

Hot Sun Foundation is in the final year of our foundation grant. To keep our doors open we need YOU!
Especially wonderful would be a monthly commitment, no matter how small, that would help keep us going.

PLEASE Mark your calendars and make a donation on 16 March 2011, Global Giving Matching Day. All contributions will receive an extra 30% matching funds.

Thanks for all you do!

Kibera Film School trainee recites a poem

Kibera Film School grads train other youth

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Youth Participation in Kenya through Media

Pamela Collett — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:20:58 GMT

Youth media on the move in Nairobi

Youth are on the move, in Africa, in the Middle East. We hear it in the news, in our daily conversations, every single day. In Kenya, youth are ready to work for positive, peaceful change before the next national elections in 2012. But youth must have the tools to get involved. Their voices have not been heard.

Kenya has the tools of a new constitution and the media training of Hot Sun Foundation. Hot Sun Foundation through media training is mobilizing youth in the urban slums of Nairobi. We are the new media. We reach out to the youth in the urban slums. We are working for peaceful participation through youth telling their stories.

If change is to include the youth, if change is to be peaceful and positive, we need your support! We are training youth in media skills to have their voices heard. We need support for scholarships for media training.

We need 100 people who will contribute USD 25 per month. Just USD25 per month, will make the difference. The price of one restaurant meal per month will make a difference for youth in urban slums in Nairobi.

Join us TODAY! Sign up for a monthly contribution of USD25 or more and watch us take off! We are poised to make history in Kenya. You can help make it happen. Thank you.

Young women in Nairobi learn camera skills

Celebration of graduation Foundation in Filmmaking

NEW Foundation in Filmmaking Course Starting

Pamela Collett — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:12:31 GMT

Trainees at Kibera Film School Graduation

Twelve more youth from the urban slum of Kibera and their delighted parents and friends celebrated their successful completion of the Foundation in Filmmaking course on 29 January 2011.

Interest is building. More and more urban slum youth want to learn about filmmaking and how to tell their stories to the world. Hot Sun Foundation will open another course in Foundation in Filmmaking in February 2011. We are excited but we face a big challenge. Talented youth like Steve (pictured below), who has been volunteering for months with the Kibera TV program wants to join us. However, he cannot pay any tuition or fees.

Steve and many many other talented youth like him, needs your support. Only USD 135 per month will pay ALL his tuition, fees, materials and lunches. Only $135 per month can change lives, offer new opportunities and provide new stories about the lives of urban slum youth.

The very best support for Steve and talented youth who aspire to be filmmakers would be for supporters to donate USD $135 per month on a recurring basis.

We are looking for 35 people to pay USD 35 per month to become a FRIEND of Hot Sun Foundation. Having 35 Friends would allow us to give scholarships to six youth. Friends of Hot Sun Foundation will receive an annual DVD package of our current films plus a biannual newsletter.

Join the Friends of Hot Sun Foundation TODAY. And tell your family, your friends, your church, and community group to join us! All donations are most welcome and appreciated!

Steve, a Kibera TV volunteer

Victor's Success Story and a Request

Victor Oluoch — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:36:24 GMT

Victor Oluoch shooting a short film

I am Victor Oluoch Mmboga, 23 years of age. I obtained a Kenya Certificate of Primary Education at Mituri Primary School in Western Kenya.

I moved to Nairobi in early 2005, hoping to get money from a relative to go to secondary school but it didn’t work out. I made my living in the informal economy, buying and selling used clothing. I am a survivor.

I came to join Hot Sun Foundation in early 2008 after I heard of KIBERA KID a short film which was very famous in Nairobi by then. I wanted to follow up and meet the filmmakers of KIBERA KID but before I made the move, the director Nathan Collett was on one of the local TV stations where he gave out information about Hot Sun Foundation. I searched Kibera until I found Hot Sun Foundation. Someone gave me a camera, although I had never used one. I started working on the filming the auditions for the feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME.

Today I’m a different person from who I was. Hot Sun has transformed me to a visual and creative storyteller. Now I have a future and I believe I’m on the highway to achieve my dream. I joined Kibera Film School in August 2009 and graduated from the filmmaking foundation course in April 2010.

I love Kibera Film School for it has built others and me skillfully. And as the school continues to grow, many more talented youth in Kibera are going to be discovered and transformed to creative storytellers, too. I’m the director of one of the fastest growing projects of Hot Sun Foundation -KIBERA TV where we collect daily stories of Kibera and upload them on YouTube and kiberatv.blogspot.com. KIBERA TV has brought many youth together to learn about filmmaking using Flip cameras and editing techniques. Many organizations have come forward to use KIBERA TV to highlight the community’s stories and outreach.

I hope these two projects, Kibera Film School and Kibera TV, grow wide and big because these are the vital tools to bring change in Kibera. One of the te main challenges we face is adequate equipment.

Everyone reading my story can help out but donating at www.globalgiviing.org/3632.

Thank you and my best wishes to all for the holiday season.

Links:

Message from a Hot Sun Foundation Success Story

Josphat Keya — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:25:18 GMT

Josphat Keya working on a Kibera story on video

A Message from Josphat Keya (24)
Projects Coordinator, Hot Sun Foundation

I joined Hot Sun Foundation through Kibera Film School in the first intake of trainees in August, 2009. Though I did not have prior knowledge in filmmaking I loved writing short stories and sometimes I’d send them to local magazines for publication. No story was ever published. I guess they did not fit what was wanted. My stories were what I saw happening to my fellow colleagues around me.

With the coming of Kibera Film School, I thought this was a perfect opportunity for me to relay my thoughts that I had wanted to do for so long, but did not have a chance. Now it would be even better with the filmmaking skills that I’d gain then my message will be more powerful.

My goal is to become a film director with a distinction of telling stories. Talking of telling stories I mean speaking what is not spoken, what is avoided to be spoken, that which is avoided but is really needed to be heard. For example two of my projects I’ve done were of controversial issues here in my community – one about stepmothers and the other about sexual identity. Something that nobody wants to talk about or fears talking about it. I believe through what I’ve done at least it will elicit dialogue and it won’t be a taboo talking about it anymore.

What Hot Sun Has done for me is immeasurable. It has made me what I am and what I’ll be, of course if I do not waiver I’ll be what I want to be, and all courtesy of Hot Sun. So I would love this to also happen to my fellow youths out there who were denied a chance to be what they want to be by systems set by selfish people in the society or those who don’t have the slightest idea of what the youth really need. Many think that the youth need cash in hand. No, what we need is nurturing of what we can do best - our talent, our passion, our dreams.

Collaboration with other organizations with similar vision of empowering the youth is very important for us. Exchange programmes that will close the gap between the youth in their artistic talents from whatever corner of the world I believe are something very important. This exchange programmes, collaborations will be fostering peace, which is being threatened by the world politics.

The places I’ve gone, the people I have met, I do not know if it could have been possible, all of them have happened in the name of Hot Sun Foundation. I believe that someone somewhere in my community has identified not with my personality but my triumphs just because of what I’ve been able to do while at Hot Sun Foundation.
During this holiday season, I ask each and every one of you to reach out to the youth in Kibera who are so eager to have a chance to develop their talents at Kibera Film School and Kibera TV programmes at Hot Sun Foundation.

     You can help make this possible by
1.    Donating on www.globalgiving.org/3632 or at www.globalgiving.co.uk (Hot Sun Foundation)
2.    Volunteering, especially if you have filmmaking skills. Contact us a info@hotsunfoundation.org for more information.
3.    Buying DVDs on buykiberakid.com
4.    Joining the blogspot kiberatv.blogspot.com, kiberafilmschool.blogspot.com and kiberakid.blogspot.com
5.    Becoming a fan on facebook : Kibera Film School, Kibera TV, TOGETHERNESS SUPREME feature film
6.    Following us on twitter HotSunFilms
7.    ALL OF THE ABOVE!    THANKS for all you do!

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TOGETHERNESS SUPREME Road Show Part Two

Pamela Collett — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 04:36:16 GMT

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME screening at Mongongaa

KISII TO NAROK ROADSHOW
by Kibera Film School Trainees
Beatrice Aringa and Kevin Machimbo

Road Show Part Two

                                MARARIANDA
8th September. Rain, rain, rain. This was the day we moved from Sekenani to our new camp in Mararianda. The journey was long and tiring. It was six hours before getting there and everyone was exhausted. The reception we got on our arrival was unexpected and very cordial. The chief of the region himself welcomed us.

This is the day we had had just enough of the rain and its hindering factor that had made us not screen on two occasions. We decided today we would screen even if it rained cats and dogs. After we screened, we were all wet and we were given a warm room with fire that would keep us warm. The chief threw us a party and slaughtered a goat for us. We were humbled by this generous gesture.

                                     AITONG
9th September. Of all the screenings, Aitong was unique. We mostly screened at night but on this particular day we screened twice. During the day and in the night. At daytime, our target audience was mainly women and children who are often conspicuously missing at the evening screenings. Most women and children availed themselves during the day because coincidentally this was a market day too. The turnout was amazing!

Since we had showed the rain that we would still screen even though it rained, it left us alone. And as the sun hung loosely in the sky, we started getting ready for the second screening. This was one of the most successful screenings since the road show began. We met many people who were really interested in what we do and took pride in watching some of the local production.

Aitong was different from the other parts of the expansive Masai Mara. Most of the locals were really interested in socializing with new people. Here we made lots of new friends who really got interested in Hot Sun Foundation. This was the final stretch in the Mara and I would say apart from a few ups and downs the entire show rocked the world of many and transformed some lives if not all.

   NAROK

From Mararianda to Narok was like an endless journey. Most of the journey we were fast asleep. We arrived in Narok at 3.00pm in the afternoon. We are ready for our last screenings in our Rift Valley tour. Most of us were eager to get back home to Nairobi and so we wanted the screening to be the best.

Talk about saving the best for the last and we just did that. We painted Narok town with togetherness. People were interested and amazed to see us!
No sooner had we begun setting up our equipment that the crowd kept surging forward. Narok recorded the highest turnout. The screenings were a success and the residents of Narok were grateful they had the chance to watch this local production. The Togetherness Is video interviews of local people, played at the end of each screening of TOGETHERNESS SUPREME as a way to say thank you is what amazed most residents.

Success
•    Impressive turnout in most screening locations.
•    Most residents were really greatful and wanted a re run of Togetherness Supreme.
•    The message of peace was spread across ethnic groups and the need to keep peace was grasped.
•    We got the chance to interact with people from different backgrounds and market or sell Hot Sun Foundation on a national platform.
•    Generally everyone loved the movie and they marvelled that such talent could be found locally in Kibera.

Challenges

•    Weather that hindered us from screenings in some areas.
•    Bad roads that made the journey very uncomfortable and led to some of the equipment getting damaged.
•    Lack of clean drinking water in the rural centers.
•    Communication barrier with the locals, who could not speak or understand Kiswahili. This led to a broken communication linkage and thus most of them couldn’t answer the audience feedback forms or do the Togetherness Is short videos.

Conclusions
I would sum up by saying the entire road show was a success apart from little technical hitches and unavoidable weather conditions. Great thanks to the organizers Hot Sun Films. Our deepest gratitude go to Jamey Ponte of Child Wellness Fund for his excellent coordinating skills with the locals and guiding us throughout this entire journey.

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME screening at Nikolale

Links:

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME Kenya Road Show PART ONE

Pamela Collett — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:03:37 GMT

Kibera Hamlets Acrobats with Togetherness Supreme

PART ONE: REPORT OF TOGETHERNESS SUPREME KISII TO NAROK ROADSHOW Rural Road Show
by Kibera Film School Trainees Beatrice Aringa and Kevin Machimbo

Hot Sun Foundation, Kids in Kenya, and the Child Wellness Fund co-sponsored the TOGETHERNESS SUPREME film road show in Kenya. For the first time in Kenya, TOGETHERNESS SUPREME, an award-winning community-produced full-length feature film, was shown in free open-air screenings in high definition projection.

The TOGETHERNESS SUPREME Road Show kicked off on the 3rd of September from Hot Sun Films office in Nairobi to Kisii. The Kibera Film School trainees were joined by 12 young acrobats from Kibera Hamlets. Many of us had never traveled outside Nairobi. We were all excited and a bit nervous. In Kisii we had a good turnout but we were rained out. We were all disappointed but had to move to the next location.
SEKENANI
We began the journey to Rift Valley on 5th September. The journey to Sekenani Masai Mara was long and tiring but th did not kill our spirit as we arrived late and proceeded to screen Togetherness Supreme. A show from Kibera Hamlets acrobats helped us mobilize our crowds. The turnout was impressive! Sekenani was to be our home for the next three days as we criss crossed the vast Masai Mara. Here we got the chance to interact with the Masai culture and meet indigenous Masai warriors. They made our fear of wild animals fade into thin air and we got a safe night’s sleep.

OLELEMUTIA
6th September our convoy heads to Olelemutia, north of the Masai Mara and the day began gracefully and on a high note. We arrived in Olelemutia on time and set up, ready for screening but the rain out maneuvered us. I would say that the rain was the biggest and major challenge in Olelemutia. The residents appreciated our presence there and we felt welcomed.

NKOILALE
Nkoilale was great. 7th September, the journey there was not too bumpy as compared to the rest of the way. This was the southern side of the Mara and the residents here were a bit shy. But after a few stunts from the Kibera Hamlets acrobats we managed to pull people to gather around. This was one of the worst spots during the post election violence in 2007-2008. We were glad to have showed them TOGETHERNESS SUPREME and the depth of its message: Peace. After successfully fulfilling our mission, we head back to our camp to retire. Today we are all smiles.

THANKS to everyone who made our road trip possible! Now we are back in Nairobi, continuing our community workshops with children and KIBERA TV. SUPPORT US NOW with the Give More, Get More Matching Campaign of Global Giving Oct. 12- 21 2010. Again our thanks for your inspiring support!

Kibera Film School with Masai friends

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TOGETHERNESS SUPREME Kibera feature film

Great Response to TOGETHERNESS SUPREME

Pamela Collett — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:57:16 GMT

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME poster

Over 25,000 people living in the slums in Nairobi have attended our outdoor screenings. Viewers have urged us to take TOGETHERNESS SUPREME everywhere to encourage Kenyans to reflect on the post election violence of 2007-2008 and make sure it never happens again.

Congratulations to all Kenyans on the peaceful and positive referendum vote on 4 August 2010 for a constitution! Now let's build on that momentum for a peaceful election in 2012! We need your help TODAY and every day. Make a donation so that youth from Kibera can visit other towns and villages in Kenya to build PAMOJA... TOGETHERNESS!

Check out the recent media coverage of our work on PRI/BBC the World, African Digital Arts and Audience Scapes (See the links below).

DO NOT miss the wonderful article Revolutaional Film Making: Hot Sun Films on African Digital Art about Hot Sun Films/Foundation and TOGETHERNESS SUPREME. These words truly capture the spirit and commitment of the work we are doing.

Many thanks to our supporters in Kenya and around the world who are making it possible for everyone to see the Kibera feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME!

Be inspired! Don't hesitate. Make a donation of ANY amount!

Thanks for all you do! Your support is a great encouragement to all of us.

Children watching TOGETHERNESS SUPREME

Crowd watching TOGETHERNESS SUPREME

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Send TOGETHERNESS SUPREME around Kenya! Build Peace and Unity!

Pamela Collett — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:35:24 GMT

Evans, whose story is told in TOGETHERNESS SUPREME

25,000 people living in the slums of Nairobi have seen it.

People all over Kenya are asking to see it.

NOW, we need YOUR HELP so they can see it.

See what?

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME A story of three youths, three tribes in one mega slum. A story based on actual events. A story of peace and reconciliation. A story from Kibera to all of Kenya and the world, offering their talents to open up hearts and minds.

Here are a few quotes from viewers in Kibera:

“I pray for the movie Togetherness Supreme to go on, to encourage, to show people, to remind them they may become peaceful.” 38-year old man

“I liked that in the movie, people were working together despite coming from different tribes.” 19-year-old woman,

“The movie itself (Togetherness Supreme) can make somebody change from wrong to right." 37-year-old man.

“The movie (Togetherness Supreme) was encouraging. It was touching. And it led me to have some emotions and that is why I decided to shed my tears, because of all what happened here, it was right here. And when I saw the movie, when people are going looting here and there, I recalled losing each and every thing. So the movie touched me, it was good. And I pray that something like that won’t happen again. The movie was wonderful. I just wish you can bring it every week for other people to watch.” 36 year old woman

The people of Kibera have spoken. We hope you are listening and listening carefully.

If you are, then please, make their wishes come true.

Send TOGETHERNESS SUPREME around Kenya! TOGETHERNESS SUPREME is the most powerful tool we have to build peace and unity among all peoples.

Make a contribution today! THANKS for all you do!

Kibera youth setting up for TOGETHERNESS SUPREME

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME in Kayole slum, Nairobi

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TOGETHERNESS SUPREME a SMASH HIT in Nairobi slums!

Pamela Collett — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:20:28 GMT

Crowd gathering for TOGETHERNESS SUPREME in Kibera

Everywhere we go in the slums of Nairobi, people turn out to see the Kibera feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME, a story of three youths, three tribes in one mega slum: KIBERA, Kenya.

Based on actual events, TOGETHERNESS SUPREME tells a story of peace and reconciliation following the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-2008.

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME is a powerful tool for peace that should be shared throughout Kenya NOW, as people are preparing for a referendum on a new constitution and for upcoming presidential elections in 2012.

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME has received extensive international media coverage and has been featured on all major Kenya television stations.

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME opens hearts and minds to reflect on what happened in January -February 2008 when over 1300 people were killed and 350,000 people displaced in their own country in post election violence.

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME builds unity, especially among the youth of all tribes.

YOU can join this amazing, creative, powerful movement for youth unity and peace, led by the youth of Kibera and the feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME.

Make a DONATION today and help make peace a reality in Kenya.

We are counting on you and your support to enable us to show and discuss TOGETHERNESS SUPREME all over Kenya, building peace and unity.

Pass the word. REMEMBER 16 June 2010 is MATCHING DAY. MARK THE DATE!

THANKS for all you do!

Watching TOGETHERNESS SUPREME in Kibera

TOGETHERNESS SUPREME outdoor screening in Kibera

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Hot Sun Visit

John Hecklinger — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:39:49 GMT

Mercy, Evans, and Zipporah

I visited Hot Sun Foundation's Kibera Film School two weeks ago and met the students. They are enthusiastically helping us with the GlobalGiving Storytelling project - an innovative experiment in soliciting and using beneficiary feedback. A highlight was seeing the trailer for their first feature film "Togetherness Supreme" premiering this weekend in downtown Nairobi and on Monday at a free showing in Kibera, where the film takes place. The trailer was intense and moving. This film is important as Kenyans prepare for the constitutional referendum this August and the next general election in 2012. The film, based on the true story of Evans (pictured below), an artist who gets caught up in politics and the post-election violence of 2007. The message is cautionary and positive and I hope it is seen extremely widely. Also pictured here are Mercy (Managing Director of Hot Sun) and Zipporah (GlobalGiving Storytelling Program Coordinator).

KIBERA FILM SCHOOL Graduation

Pamela Collett — Thu, 20 May 2010 07:39:41 GMT

Kibera Film School Graduation 27 March 2010

With a welcoming banner over the entranceway, friends, family and guests joined the joyful graduates at the Hot Sun Foundation Gala, 27 March 2010 at Olympic, in Kibera. The celebration honoured the first group of Kibera youth trainees who successfully completed the seven-month Kibera Film School Foundation course in Filmmaking. Kibera Film School is unique in being located in east Africa's largest slum and working with local youth to tell their stories on film. Guest of honour, Paul Dziatkowiec Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission, Australia, gave the opening speech which inspired the graduates to pursue the vision of Hot Sun Foundation of social transformation through art and media. Master of Ceremony, John Ngaruiya, himself a graduate, spoke of the early days of Hot Sun Films/Foundation, when a group of Kibera youth sat on boxes in a small courtyard in Kibera to work on film scripts. Hot Sun Foundation trustees Nathan Collett, Pamela Collett, and Mercy Murugi spoke of the future plans for Kibera Film School to become a centre of film training and production. Mercy noted that four Kibera youth have been nominated for the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for their roles in the Kibera feature film, TOGETHERNESS SUPREME: Martha Kisaka for most promising actress, Wilson Maina for most promising actor, Billy Oloo and Teddy Onyango for best child actors. All are from Kibera. None had acted before their starring roles in TOGETHERNESS SUPREME, which was nominated for best film in an African language. ** Graduate Martha Kisaka, who also had the lead female role in TOGETHERNESS SUPREME was awarded the Overall Best in Narrative and Documentary Film in the Kibera Film School competition, judged by three professionals in the Kenyan film and media industry. One of the highlights of the ceremony was when parents who were present came forward to congratulate their daughters and sons. One father had wanted his son Josphat Keya to become an electrician and was doubtful about filmmaking, but now is very proud and delighted that his son is following his passion. All of the graduates have employment in the industry. One of the graduates has been employed as an assistant editor for a Kenyan TV program. One graduate has become an intern at Hot Sun Films. One graduate, Josphat Keya, is now the coordinator for the Kibera Film School and the Kibera TV project. The other five graduates are teaching at the Kibera Film School, facilitating community workshops, films screenings and producing Kibera TV. ______________ ** Since the writing of this post (which somehow got misplaced and wasn't posted in a timely fashion), TOGETHERNESS SUPREME won two awards at the AMAA held in Nigeria: Most Promising Actor and Best Child Actors. Producer Mercy Murugi and actress Martha Kisaka attended the ceremonies and accepted the awards on behalf of Hot Sun Films.

Martha Kisaka, accepts the award for Overall Best

Paul Dziatkowiec congratulates Josphat Keya

Links:

Watch Kibera TV and learn about our community!

Film students help launch GlobalGiving Storytelling Project

Marc Maxson — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:46:04 GMT

A few days ago I came to Kenya to kick off GlobalGiving’s latest experiment in community feedback – the GlobalGiving Storytelling Project. Everyone has a story about a community effort they witnessed. Too often these stories of social change and attempts to lift up the community don’t travel far. So we’re training groups of people to go out and ask, “do you want to join the storytelling project?”

Our first stop: The Hot Sun Film School in Kibera – Nairobi’s largest slum. I prepped seven of their students on how invite people on the street to tell stories.

We’re asking, “Can you tell me about a community effort you have seen? What happened? And what would you say to a friend to either encourage or discourage him from trying the same thing?” A “community effort” is anything that a person or organization tries to do to improve his community. Sorry, there isn’t a better name for it in english yet.

As practice, several of the youths shared stories:

Victor: I knew this guy who was in Kibera and did not have enough food to eat. And there was just no place for crops here. One day he got the idea to collect soil elsewhere in large plastic bags and take them here, so he could plant kale. Then he ate some and sold rest.

Gabriela: Okay. So you have these kids who clean up the streets, picking trash. But those in Kibera, they often do it in the neighborhoods where people have more money…. One day they gathered all the trash in a neighboring slum and collected some money. But at the end of the day they returned home to Kibera and there was still trash everywhere. I wished for once they would clean up our own streets.

Although these stories are brief, the follow-up questions helped us reveal more to life in Kibera:

Victor’s story (kale planters) would seem to only benefit one or few people, but he opined that it benefitted the community on a social level, because this unemployed man served as a role model. “I think others liked it, because normally they complain about the youths that sit around doing nothing, and here you have one with an idea and helping himself,” he explained.

Gabiella’s story (trash removal for cash) could have been about health and the environment, but unpacking the elements revealed that this was really about economic empowerment. Unemployment exceeds 50% in Kibera, and so poverty motivated these youths to travel across the city to clean up a richer, cleaner neighborhood instead of helping their own. Those who benefited most were outsiders, in Gabriella’s view, and hence she believed the community at large was somewhat divided on whether they liked this project.

I imagine that as we collect thousands of stories like this, the priorities of the people in Kibera will become quite clear. And when these stories are a public resource available to you, organizations, and the communities themselves, we might see Kibera differently. I hope it helps us better meet the needs of the people. I take Gabriella’s story as a reminder that cleaning up slum is less important to the people than finding them work.

For some of these film students, the results of the survey were immediate. Although Hot Sun teaches Kibera kids and shoots in Kibera, they don’t interact with strangers much. One told me this was one of the few times they had interacted with the very people whose lives they try to capture in movies. Without a script or camera crew, some of them found experience much harder, but helpful.

“We could be taking these stories and developing storyboards out of the good ones,” one said.

“It is great practice on learning how to draw people out,” another noted.

Later I learned the extent to which tribal conflict affects everything in Kibera. One of the seven was of the wrong tribe, and had been run out of Kibera in 2007. Last year, the community apologized and – miraculously – returned his house and stolen furniture. But the next day I met someone who was not so lucky. She is still afraid to return to work in Kibera, even though she had helped thousands of people and dozens of local organizations there over the years. She too was chased out in 2007 for being from the wrong tribe. This is a tough neighborhood. And that is precisely why we are here, gathering stories, ensuring that everyone’s voice is being heard.

Stay tuned for an update from the Hot Sun Foundation, as tomorrow they graduate their first class of 8 film students!

Links:

More on my Kenya trip at my blog: chewychunks.wordpress.com

STOP RAPE NOW campaign

Pamela Collett — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:44:48 GMT

Faith and Josphat GET CROSS and STOP RAPE NOW

STOP RAPE NOW campaign: Kibera youth are involved in the global campaign to STOP RAPE NOW, http://www.stoprapenow.org We posted our photos with the GET CROSS symbol. A Kibera Film School trainee, John Ngaruiya, known as “GG Spice" has written a STOP RAPE song. We will producer our own Public Service Announcement for our community and the world to join us to STOP RAPE NOW. Hot Sun Foundation is having a GALA Celebration 27 March 2010 to honour the first group of Kibera Film School trainees, thank our many supporters, and enjoy a gathering in our new office and training centre. We Are EXPANDING and we need your help to ensure resources for 10 new Kibera Film School trainees. BONUS DAY 16 March 2010! Mark your calendars! Give ANY amount that day and it will be matched by 30% plus other special awards. DON"T FORGET the youth in KIBERA! 16 March 2010 BONUS DAY. SPREAD the word on Facebook, Twitter and REMEMBER to contribute! THANKS!

Victor says GET CROSS and STOP RAPE NOW

NEW logo designed by Kibera Film School

Links:

Trainees successfully complete Kibera Film School Foundation Course!

Pamela Collett — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:09:50 GMT

Josphat Keya filming his project at Kibera Film School

To receive a certificate of completion for the KIBERA FILM SCHOOL foundation course, all trainees completed two projects: a short fictional film and a short documentary, about a Kibera community organization.

The KIBERA FILM SCHOOL trainees overcame many challenges, including power outages, hard drive failure, volunteer actors not showing up for the filming, problems with sound and lighting, and moving to a new office and training centre in January 2010, that is still being repaired and renovated two months later.

CNN followed the trainees around one day while they were working on their projects. You can view them on http://bit.ly/bibpUb

Here’s what John Ngaruiya known as “GG Spice”, 23 year old, musician and artist, replied when asked, What have I gained from Hot Sun Foundation and the Kibera Film School?

"So many things, including access to equipment and technology that I never had before as well as networking with people, including sending emails and Facebook.

"I will not see Hot Sun Foundation failing. I will not run away after I get my own training. I want to go on and see that Hot Sun Foundation and the Kibera Film School get international recognition. " WHAT YOU CAN DO>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>1. WATCH us on CNN Go to CNN http://bit.ly/bibpUb and watch Filmmaker Starts School in Slum

>>>2. COMMENT on our updates or send us an email at info@hotsunfoundation.org. What would you like in our reports??

>>>3. Heads up! IMPORTANT DATE 16 March 2010: Bonus Matching Day at Global Giving EVERY donation that you make to the Kibera Film School on 16 March 2010 will be matched by 30% by Global Giving. SAVE THE DATE 16 MARCH 2010 MAKE a DONATION on 16 March and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of youth in Kibera.

THANKS!

Martha Kisaka and Wilfred Masea editing their projects

John Ngaruiya known as GG Spice, Kibera Film School trainee

Links:

SO MANY VISITORS to KIBERA FILM SCHOOL!!

Pamela Collett — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:24:53 GMT

Cinetrek filmmakers John Gyovai and Ken Oloo visit Kibera

So many welcome visitors to Kibera Film School!

Karibu! Welcome to our friends from everywhere.

Cinetrek On 26 Jan 2010, filmmaker John Gyovai and his Kenyan colleague filmmaker Ken Oloo visited Kibera Film School to share their work to create media resources for humanitarian organizations through the Cinetrek program. Ken works with schools in Kibera to train them in filmmaking.

CNN On Wednesday, 27 Jan 2010, the CNN television crew, headed by David MacKenzie, followed us through Kibera to a location where Kibera Film School trainees were filming a scene for a short fictional film.

A member of the CNN crew commented that she was impressed by the technical competence of the Kibera Film School trainees. She noted that other film schools in Kenya generally are theoretical, offering little hands-on experience.

It was a moment of joy for the Kibera Film School trainees as they were happy that they were to be viewed worldwide on what they are doing at school, their aims and ambitions. The segment aired on CNN prime in the USA on Saturday 30 Jan 2010. CNN transcript... http://tinyurl.com/yg4aqb5

University of Minnesota On Tuesday 2 February 2010, Kibera Film School was more than delighted to welcome a large delegation of administrators from the University of Minnesota USA. Their visit to Kibera demonstrated the commitment of the University of Minnesota to actively engage in fostering international exchange and understanding. What a pleasure to have the opportunity to be together and share some of our work here in Kibera.

Many thanks to: Prof. Barcelo, Prof Mohamud Jama ,Andy Furco, Missy Peterson, BJ Titus, Martha Johnson,Robert J Jones, Cathy Huber, Abdul Aziz Coleman, Don Amundson, Meredith McQuaid and Simon Sakudah

AND THANKS to all our GLOBAL GIVING supporters who keep us going!

Please consider making a monthly pledge. That way, we know what resources we have and can count on.

We do appreciate you and hope you can visit us some time!

CNN David MacKenzie with Kibera Film School trainees

University of Minnesota officials visit Kibera

Links:

Visit our blogspot for updates!

MOVING IN..MORE SPACE for KIBERA FILM SCHOOL

Pamela Collett — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:33:23 GMT

Painting the NEW Hot Sun Foundation office in Kibera

We are busy painting, moving AND filming, using our splendid new space for sets, wardrobe, rehearsals for our end of term student projects.

Now we have space for community workshops for children and schools. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO EXPAND.

Watch this space for MORE info about upcoming events. Help us make 2010 the best ever for the young filmmakers in Kibera!

Moving our stuff into the new office

KIBERA FILM SCHOOL in Los Angeles Times!

Pamela Collett — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:08:40 GMT

MAP Kibera project meets with KIBERA FILM SCHOOL

Check out the article about our work in Kibera, the Kibera Film School, KIBERA KID and TOGETHERNESS SUPREME in the Los Angeles Times!

http://bit.ly/8f7KAR

We have great news for 2010. We are moving, right next door in Kibera!

With a larger space, we can offer MORE training and community film screenings at KIBERA FILM SCHOOL.

Help us keep it all going! Contribute today. Many thanks for your support.

We wish you a creative and peaceful New Year 2010!

Victor and Jose editing at KIBERA FILM SCHOOL

Building a Filmmakers Community in KIBERA

Pamela Collett — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:02:33 GMT

Entrance to Hot Sun Foundation office in KIBERA

For all of our friends and supporters, we would like you to share with you what we are doing and how we are using our resources at the KIBERA FILM SCHOOL to interact with our community and other artists.

A brief update on highlights of recent activities:

20-21 November 2009 Members of KIBERA FILM SCHOOL filmed footage for the promotion of the Safe Motherhood project.

23 November 2009 We invited Map Kibera to our school to see some of our short films. Map Kibera is a newly formed group in Kibera who are using GPS technology to make the first ever accurate map of the Kibera slum. We had a great exchange about the importance of the work we are doing to improve our community and our profound motivation to be part of those changes

27 November 2009 We had a visit from Robyn Dixon of the Los Angeles Times newspaper (California, USA), who wanted to find out more about our work.

Here’s what Robyn Dixon had to say after her visit:

We've had an amazing time meeting the trainees and hearing their stories. It's a brilliant project and it has changed the lives of all the participants in fundamental ways. I just find the Kibera Film School project so inspiring and I'm hoping to give the story great play in the paper.

I loved the way the trainees just picked up my gear and started shooting pictures and video and I could see the empowering effect that being encouraged to just use cameras has had. Victor told me you simply told him to start using the camera. He felt as if he knew nothing, but he did his best to be strong and brave and now he's master of a camera.

3 December 2009 United Nations-Habitat hosted a Summit on Urban Arts and Youth that brought together national and international artists, representatives of arts foundations, the private sector, arts industry and young people active in the arts. The goal of the event was to consult on the contribution the arts make sustainable urban development. Kibera Film School sent three trainees to the Summit. Josphat Keya, John Ngaruiya and Faith Wavinya represented the views of young upcoming filmmakers from Kibera. Trainees comment: We realized that the film industry in Kenya is yet to grow; most participants were amazed to meet us as young upcoming filmmakers especially coming from Kibera.

7 Dec 2009 PICHA MTAANI event http://www.pichamtaani.com

KIBERA FILM SCHOOL trainees attended the “PICHA MTAANI” (Heal the Nation: National Reconciliation Exchibition tour) event. The day was very tough, because of those pictures (of the post election violence in Kenya)----Comment by trainee Shamim Achieng

10 December 2009 We had our respected visitors from Africalia Belgium, who were very happy with what we are doing. We showed them our short films and our trailer. Quote from trainee Shamim Achieng

Kibera Film School sent three trainees to the summit. Josphat Keya, John Ngaruiya and Faith Wavinya represented the views of young upcoming filmmakers from Kibera. We realized that the film industry in Kenya is yet to grow; most participants were amazed to meet us as young upcoming filmmakers especially coming from Kibera.

AND while all this is going on, the trainees are working on a group project: a short film about themselves, the first trainees, and the KIBERA FILM SCHOOL, which they plan to complete by 19 December before the holiday break!.

Keep in touch with trainees weekly reports on kiberafilmschool.blogspot.com!

Remember, you can send holiday gifts to everyone you know through a donation and gift card to KIBERA FILM SCHOOL.

What would be the very best for us and guarantee our future would be a monthly pledge.

Please consider sending us any amount every month to ensure the future of the KIBERA FILM SCHOOL.

Thank you and Happy Holidays to all.

Trainees in class with Ian Mbugua, well known actor/director

Trainees discuss script at KIBERA FILM SCHOOL

Links:

http://www.vimeo.com/7437999

KIBERA MOJA short films WORLD PREMIERE

Pamela Collett — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:18:07 GMT

Kibera Film School trainees editing

KIBERA FILM SCHOOL has generated a great response from professionals in the film and TV industry in Kenya, who work as part time instructors at the innovative, hands-on school. Comment from well known actor/director/TV personality Ian Mbugua: All the students at Kibera Film School are keen to learn acting even if they don't plan to be actors

On 18 November 2009 at the Goethe Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kibera Film School trainees will present KIBERA MOJA, the world premiere of their short films, telling the stories behind the Kibera feature film project TOGETHERNESS SUPREME.

Here is a brief description of their films. Behind the Scenes: • A Train Runs Through It. Kibera is divided in two by the East African railway. What does this mean for Kibera residents? What role did the railway play in TOGETHERNESS SUPREME?

• Dressing Up Togetherness Supreme Kibera is famous for shopping for bargains, especially the extensive Toi Market, where you can find almost anything, including the wardrobe and props for a feature film

• A Kid in Kibera How did a kid in Kibera, Teddy, age 10, get a major role in a feature film? What is Teddy’s life like in Kibera? How did it change after the film?

Making of TOGETHERNESS SUPREME short film What went into making the Kibera community based feature film project TOGETHERNESS SUPREME? Learn about the process of scriptwriting, auditions, the introduction of advanced cinema technology (the Red One camera), locations and logistics – all in Kibera.

Ian Mbugua watching students rehearse

Trainees learning about their new camera

Links:

Kibera Film School blog with weekly trainee updates