Click the photo for the video
Launching of Bignet Children’s Videos and Closing Event of “Rainbird Tales Kenya – Environment through the Eyes of Slum Children” on 14 November 2014 in Kabiria/Nairobi, Kenya.
A lot of fun with dancing to the tune of local musicians:Nyamai, Balozi and Cops of Humanity (Alphamatone and Qwachezz). The event was MCed by Alphonce Rama alias Cross.
Saturday morning
6.30 am
Kabiria still sleeping
in a muddy silence.
***
The children’s programme
in Mtaani Radio
started at 7 am
airing the first story of ours.
***
Innocent, narrator of
“Saved by the Zebra”
landed in the studio
with a big smile, gum boots and umbrella.
***
Cross and Marita
also interviewed
by Tebby
energetic host of the show.
***
The first listener
with a right answer to a quizz
was rewarded with Rainbird Tales DVD
like the ones of five following Saturdays.
***
On the way home
Innocent enjoyed the privilege
of using Marita’s camera
and that of a hot cup of tsai.
***
The world looked grey
but our hearts were singing
with joy.
Job well done.
Our partners
Doctors of Africa
have been tutoring
the children
every Monday
since May.
***
Our partners
Doctors of Africa
arranged a medical camp
to the community
the other Saturday
in Bignet School.
***
The participation of
families
could have been
more active.
The cost of three euros per child
seemed to be too high.
***
The health of the children
checked up during the camp
is affected by malnutrition.
Daily portion of ugali and cabbage
is just not enough
to maintain good health.
***
We wish to thank
our partners
Doctors of Africa
for their invaluable work
with the children.
Early Friday morning
at 5.30 am
the day of the Event
the phone rang.
***
It was a colleague
meant to do
the video coverage
of the Event.
***
He had been arrested
the previous night
blocking the road
with his then dysfunctional car.
***
He was to be taken
to the court shortly.
Good morning
rainy day!
***
No cameraman
the water bought for the guests
stuck in the boot of his car.
Roads turned into muddy rivers.
***
The Rainbird was calling.
Water everywhere.
***
The Event began
two hours late
with children and guests
in good spirits.
***
A lot of entertainment
in the programme.
Singing, dancing and launching of the kids’ videos.
No long speeches.
***
Recognition of talents
three of each category
writing, music and drawing.
Soft toys to two smallest ones.
***
Festive ceremony with certificates.
The Cops of Humanity certainly
tickled the laughter nerves
of the audience.
***
Media well presented
Citizen Tv, KTN, QTV, Mtaani Radio.
Journalists in command
both during and after the Show.
***
Hopefully the publicity
the following day
news on three channels
will keep the Rainbird flying.
***
along muddy roads
for the guests to enjoy.
The colleague
released from jail
later the same day.
Our small group of four
multitasking happily.
***
Asanteni sana watoto na walimu wa Bignet.
Nimependeswa sana kufanya kasi nani.
Mungu awa bariki.
***
Video coming soon …
Links to the launched Music Video and AudioVisual Book of the Bignet children:
DVD with “Rainbird Calling” Music Video and “Rainbird Tales” AudioVisual Book
Click the DVD to see the Music Video
We are happy to share the musical and audio-visual fruits of “Rainbird Tales Kenya” with you. May this album bring joy and encourage us to continue working for the protection of our beautiful world using our creativity.
CD with “Rainbird Calling” Theme Song, 5 stories by Bignet Children and an animal story from “Rainbird Tales Finland”
Click the CD to see the AudioVisual Book
Album with DVD and CD
RAINBIRD TALES KENYA – ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE EYES OF SLUM CHILDREN
Launch of Children’s Music Video and AudioVisual Book in Kabiria on 14 November 2014
The purpose of the “Rainbird Tales Kenya” Initiative was to open slum children’s minds and senses to their own environment and the beauty of their country as well as to teach them to respect life and to protect nature through creative story-telling, music, art, photographing, video shooting, excursions and the tall tales about Finnish nature and animals. Furthermore, the aim was to help children to discover their creative talents. “Rainbird Tales Kenya” Initiative received funding from the Finnish Foreign Ministry.
During the Initiative we were teaching the children from class 5 and 6 of Bignet Education Centre twice a week during February – November 2014. The local artists from Kabiria played a vital role in the training of the children.
The Initiative brought along visible changes in the children; their social, communication, English language and composition writing skills improved remarkably. Their self-esteem and motivation to study is now higher than before and their school performance improved. What is more, they discovered some of their hidden talents and are more aware of the importance of clean environment to their health.
We are happy to share the musical and audio-visual fruits of “Rainbird Tales Kenya” with the world. The music and audio and video stories about animals and environment were created by children from Bignet Education Centre during the Initiative.
The Album is a living proof of the potential of every child no matter how his or her their background is. Not all children possess academic interests or skills but can find success in life through different forms of art. Unfortunately, the Kenyan education system puts emphasis on academic studies and does not encourage children to discover and develop their creative talents. Anyway, may this Album bring joy and encourage us to continue working for the protection of our beautiful world using our creativity.
The Launching Event will be participated by Cops of Humanity. They are the Police Ambassadors for Children informing them of Children’s Rights and making a positive change in people’s attitudes towards the Kenyan Police Force. The overall goal of their activities is to build a safe country for the coming generations.
We both believe that the best way to change the world is through children. With our co-operation we wish to achieve sustainability for our work through visibility. We are looking for partners to be able to continue our work with children using information and creativity.
Further information
Icebreaker Productions
Marita Rainbird
+254-700-326274
+358-40-7404339
www.rainbirdtaleskenya.wordpress.com
http://www.icebreakerproductions.fi
****
EVENT PROGRAMME
RAINBIRD TALES KENYA – Environment through the Eyes of Slum Children
Launch of Children’s Music Video and AudioVisual Book
Dear Sirs/Ladies,
You are warmly welcome to celebrate the Launch of children’s AudioVisual Tales and the Official Closing Day of the term of Bignet Education Centre on Friday 14 November 2014 at 10 am – 2 pm in the Word Power Church in Kabiria (Kabiria Road, next to Kivuli Center). Cops of Humanity will be entertaining us as special guests in the event which is MCed by Alphonce Rama.
PROGRAMME
10.00 – 11.00
Music performance by Balozi
Welcome speech, John Bigingi, Director of Bignet Education Centre
Poems by Bignet Children
Fruits of the Initiative, Marita Rainbird, Producer of “Rainbird Tales Kenya”
11.00 – 11.30
Launch of children’s “Rainbird Calling” Music Video and “Rainbird Tales Kenya” AudioVisual Book
11.30 – 11.45
Recognition of Talents
11.45 – 12.15
Open mike
12.15 – 12.45
Music & Encouragement, Cops of Humanity, Studio Kenya
12.45 – 13.15
Graduation ceremony of Pre-unit and Class 3 students
13.15 – 14.00
Mingling Pamoja
For further information please visit our blog www.rainbirdtaleskenya.wordpress.com and “Ngoma Nationale” and “Afande Mtaani” on youtube.
Since February this year
the children have been writing
hundreds of stories
about animals and nature.
Creative
touching and magical.
***
We took six children
to studio
to do the narration of
five best stories about
rainbow, zebra, cat and dog,
fashion show and a giant.
***
We took their tutor Cross
to studio
to do the narration of
a Finnish animal story about
a wagtail and a lizard
summer in a Finnish countryside.
***
I can’t wait to share
the ready audio and video tales
with the world.
To show that
if there is a will
there is way
to make a difference
in the world.
It happened again
the Rainbird was calling
during the night
as always when
we have activities
with children.
***
It happened again
there was a lot of smiles
dancing and singing
when we were shooting
the music video
in Bignet community school.
***
Children wearing their
Sunday clothes.
Girls dressed in bright colours
high heels and
hair all tiptop.
Boys in jeans and
with shiny cheeks.
***
The home-made green screen
worked just fine
giving life for future images of
wild animals from Masai Mara
monkeys from Central Park
neighbourhood reality from Kabiria.
***
Can’t wait for the video
to come out
from oven
fresh with new ideas
flavoured with joy and excitement
baked with peace and love.
***
To deliver a message.
Dear Friends,
You are warmly welcome to celebrate the Launch of children’s AudioVisual Tales and the Official Closing Day of the term of Bignet Education Centre on Friday 14 November 2014 at 10 am – 2 pm in Word Power Church in Kabiria (Kabiria Road, next to Kivuli Center). Cops of Humanity will be entertaining us as special guests in the event which is MCed by Alphonce Rama.
The content of the Music Video and AudioVisual Book about animals and environment was created by children from Bignet Education Centre during the “Rainbird Tales Kenya” initiative in Kabiria in 2014. The purpose of the initiative was to open children’s senses to their own environment and to teach them to respect life and to protect nature through creative activities and their newly discovered skills. The initiative was partly funded by the Foreign Ministry of Finland.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
10.00 – 10.45
Music performance
Welcome speech, John Bigingi, Director of Bignet Education Centre
Fruits of the Initiative, Marita Rainbird, Producer of “Rainbird Tales Kenya”
10.45 – 11.15
Launch of children’s Music Video and “Rainbird Tales Kenya” AudioVisual Book
11.15 – 11.30
Announcement of the winners of writing and drawing competitions
11.30 – 12.00
Open mike
12.00 – 12.30
Music & Encouragement, Cops of Humanity, Studio Kenya
12.30 – 13.00
Graduation ceremony of Pre-unit and Class 3 students
13.00 – 14.00
Mingling Pamoja
For further information please visit our blog www.rainbirdtaleskenya.wordpress.com
and “Ngoma Nationale” and “Afande Mtaani” on youtube.
Yours sincerely,
ICEBREAKER PRODUCTIONS BIGNET EDUCATION CENTRE
Marita Rainbird John Bigingi
Creative Producer Director
+254-700-326274 +254-722-395465
maritarainbird@hotmail.com bignetcenter@yahoo.com
The venue Word Power Church is waiting for a big crowd on 14 November.
Cops of Humanity teaching the importance of security to our community.
Rainbird Tales Kenya 