March 19, 2005
Day 2
Expectation setting and bonding sessions are best for the start of any major project, and so much better when not planned. This morning we spent a good 3 hours with Dan preparing for the 3 weeks ahead. Afterwards we journeyed on to Kibera. With Dan’s approval we filmed a lot of the district, but not the slums. It was quite the experience, I suggest going through the culture shock first before actually filming from the beginning. I thought they were going to come after me! But we made it through alive! Mashallah.
Our first real interview was with Dan’s brothers Steven and Peter, and we dug deep. It was amazing hearing from their perspectives. The kicker was when we told them certain truths about Canadian lifestyle, like in Canada hardly anyone knows their neighbors, and everyone s really in it first and foremost for themselves. They were shocked that Canada could be like that. I was too. You don’t find people in Canada like Steven or Peter, such strong dreams and determination to achieve them. They care so much for their community, and they haven’t even lived their long. They don’t have to, people like Peter and Steven are models for us all, that no matter how bad you have you, you have the potential to overcome it.
Classical African Dance. Besides getting on stage and getting jiggy with it, I actually hung out with a lot of the kids while we watched a traditional dance that was completely organized in our honour. It was amazing to see the spirit and skill these youths had. Such potential, they’d make it far in our western world that is for sure. I wonder if they’ll ever get their big break? Hope. It’s a constant theme among so many of them.
Is it changing mindsets that we must change? Or must we change the people in power, those keeping so many thousands, millions suppressed? It too easy to say it is both, its always both, its always a combo of so much. We can’t fix anything, but now that I finally know what DAMU means, like what it REALLY means. The connection. The roots. The bond. The passion. Its all in our DAMU (blood).
Its funny, so many dreams are made, but when you see them coming true right before your eyes, it is a truly exceptional experience. Today started out as a shock, but ended a very inspirational and productive day.
Tomorrow, I suspect will be a rather downer day – we’re going back to Kibera, this time… we’re going to the slums…
Day 2
Expectation setting and bonding sessions are best for the start of any major project, and so much better when not planned. This morning we spent a good 3 hours with Dan preparing for the 3 weeks ahead. Afterwards we journeyed on to Kibera. With Dan’s approval we filmed a lot of the district, but not the slums. It was quite the experience, I suggest going through the culture shock first before actually filming from the beginning. I thought they were going to come after me! But we made it through alive! Mashallah.
Our first real interview was with Dan’s brothers Steven and Peter, and we dug deep. It was amazing hearing from their perspectives. The kicker was when we told them certain truths about Canadian lifestyle, like in Canada hardly anyone knows their neighbors, and everyone s really in it first and foremost for themselves. They were shocked that Canada could be like that. I was too. You don’t find people in Canada like Steven or Peter, such strong dreams and determination to achieve them. They care so much for their community, and they haven’t even lived their long. They don’t have to, people like Peter and Steven are models for us all, that no matter how bad you have you, you have the potential to overcome it.
Classical African Dance. Besides getting on stage and getting jiggy with it, I actually hung out with a lot of the kids while we watched a traditional dance that was completely organized in our honour. It was amazing to see the spirit and skill these youths had. Such potential, they’d make it far in our western world that is for sure. I wonder if they’ll ever get their big break? Hope. It’s a constant theme among so many of them.
Is it changing mindsets that we must change? Or must we change the people in power, those keeping so many thousands, millions suppressed? It too easy to say it is both, its always both, its always a combo of so much. We can’t fix anything, but now that I finally know what DAMU means, like what it REALLY means. The connection. The roots. The bond. The passion. Its all in our DAMU (blood).
Its funny, so many dreams are made, but when you see them coming true right before your eyes, it is a truly exceptional experience. Today started out as a shock, but ended a very inspirational and productive day.
Tomorrow, I suspect will be a rather downer day – we’re going back to Kibera, this time… we’re going to the slums…
posted by Kurt | 3/19/2005 11:08:00 PM
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