Last night, with the help from Imani and Slam Africa, KGSA had its first fundraiser in Kenya to help fund a series of poetry workshops for a group of KGSA students which will be led by Imani herself. Between the 80,000 shillings that we raised, an incredible line-up of performances, over 150 people in attendance, and the injera and dorowot, it was a successful night! I was overwhelmed with the amount of support last night, and once again, was reminded why I feel so drawn to the artist community... in Minneapolis, Madison, Nairobi, everywhere. We are indeed changing the world we live in.
Two of the KGSA students - Salma, and Claire, came to the event and performed as well. They were able to get outside of Kibera and see other communities that support the school and that support them. Their performances were both received with huge applauses and several people shouted, "We want more!" Salma told me that after she heard that, she was starting to write another piece for later that night.
Not only did people love their poems, but two graduate school students studying journalism wanted to interview them and write an article about the school and the girls. This made their night! In addition, we were approached by a graffiti artist that was interested in setting up a project with the school and two individuals from US AID approached me about certain grants that are in the works over the next year and they would like to work with the school. We saw last night how art brings people together, it inspired, it creates hope, and it continues to grow and strengthen.
I still get stuck sometimes with events like this thinking about where we were 4 years ago and how I never thought that KGSA would be this established and bringing our girls to Westlands for performances. But here we are rocking the mic, spreading awareness, making change.
Information on the workshops & performance:
There will be a series of 8 writing workshops leading up to a final performance in June of this year. Imani will be holding her final show in Kenya and the girls will open for her at this performance. In addition, we are trying to film a documentary on this entire process so if you know anyone that is willing to contribute financially to such a project, please contact myself or Imani via email, any support is greatly appreciated.
Ryan Sarafolean: rmsarafolean@gmail.com
Imani Woomera: imani.woomera@gmail.com
Below is a poem that Claire performed at the fundraiser. Enjoy!
We tend to plan for our future everyday,
Desperately we strive to pave the way,
We save every little bit of time we can find
And to the people who can help achieve we are kind
If there is anything we want so bad, we are willing to fight
For a future filled with happiness and so bright
I really hate though to fill everyone’s heart with sorrow
But remember dear, our future is not tomorrow
It is not rudeness indiscipline or fame that will get us ahead
But the number of times we read our books, that is what will make our future
Our future imaginably great
So! Let us wake up and take control of our lives
Tomorrow is not the future you should be planning for,
But the day you will be enjoying your success
The day you will be remembering your toilings, hardships at home, and school
Remember dears, if you do good, you do good to yourself
And if you do bad, you do bad to yourself
Falling down does not make you a failure
But staying down makes you a failure
Watch out!
