By Benta | Hot Sun Foundation film school trainee
I am Benta. I am 20 and I am from Mathare, a large slum in Nairobi. I live together with my mum and my older sister. I’ve been living in this place since I was born. When I was four, my father passed away.
We are lucky because we have good neighbours so it’s not dangerous for us women to live there. But it was hard for my mum to earn the money to support us, to give us food and to pay the school fees. She has a little charcoal business. She buys charcoal from someone else and then sells it in front of our house. It’s not much, but it is enough to get by. My sister helps her with the business and when I am home, I help her, too. But not now because I’m going to Hot Sun Film School every day. .
One day a few years ago, I was outside, doing the washing for my family. Suddenly, a group of youth passed our house. They were carrying cameras and other equipment. I saw one of my friends walking with them and I asked him what he was doing. He told me about community photography classes.
So the next Saturday I went to the photography classes. I found it so interesting that I joined. Since this day I’ve participated in many workshops. And now I am here, at Hot Sun Foundation, to gain an even deeper knowledge about photography and filmmaking.
I want to move away from Mathare. I’d also like to take my mother and my sister with me. Mathare isn’t so bad, but I don’t want to end up there. I want to improve my life, go a step further. I hope I can do this as soon as I earn my own money.
Now that I’ve been at Hot Sun Foundation for a while, I am more motivated than ever to go on with filmmaking and photography. I really enjoy the work. I think it can offer me the opportunity to fulfil my great dream – get into a plane and fly to visit other countries.
Hot Sun Foundation
Hot Sun Foundation offers opportunities to youth like me - to really learn filmmaking and make our own short films. All of us who work hard and develop our talent will be able to make new lives for ourselves and our families. Almost all of the graduates get jobs in the Kenya media industry.
Bonus Day TODAY Wednesday 16 July 2014
That's why I am asking all of you, your families, your friends to donate on this very special day, Bonus Day, today Wednesday 16 July.
Today and today only, your donation will be matched 50%! But don't wait. Donate now please. Funds are limited.
Your donation is very important just now, because the grant from the major donor for Hot Sun Foundation is ending this year.
Please go to http://goto.gg/3632 now and make a donation.
Thank you for all you do!
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