Dance Festival 2010.

Remember the excellent Athletics and Sports training for Secondary Schools’ Sports Leaders in 2009 led by Kim Henderson? Just when you think that nothing could surpass the range of the skills learned, the sheer enjoyment of pure physical activity and the quality of the learning experience, then along comes the idea of having a celebration of Dance for 2010. Most Kenyan schools keep a specific curriculum slot every year for learning or adapting traditional African dances; they even subscribe to enter their students into regional or national competition. It was a real challenge to explain that we were organising something entirely different! This year, Kim had invited her colleague and friend Anne Fisher, also an experienced P.E. adviser but specialising in Dance like her daughter, Alicia, a Secondary School Dance teacher. The fourth member of the team was Katherine Henderson who has expertise in almost everything and is a G.B. tri-athlete.

They spent half day sessions with pupils and students from 8 schools; four Primary, four Secondary. They trained the excited youth in a range of dance styles - jazz, contemporary, sports, modern, choreographed by the team. The items were to reflected the range: “Circle of Life” from the Lion King, “Eat my Goal”, “Longing”, “Jazz Dance”, “ Sports Dance”, “Gum Boot Dance”, ”Good Night”, “Thriller” and “Wavin’ Flag”.

All the 170 children came together in Plainsview School Hall on the Friday to perform in front of staff and local administrative chiefs. The results were amazing and the effect of the costumed students enthralling and also very moving. To think that the training lasted for just three hours in cramped rooms or in the outdoor sunshine; two were in our own facility; the Prayer House, which lent itself brilliantly as a Dance “studio” for the day.  The outcome demonstrated the students enthusiasm and enjoyment. They were so responsive and eager to please the trainers. We wish more people could have seen the festival. All credit goes to the team who had worked so hard for the success of the venture. Our thanks go to all those UK well-wishers who supported the fund-raising, those who donated costumes, especially sports kit. The latter are now being worn by our Community Resource Centre Football Team. We also involved the support of school drop-outs in the training so that they could continue holding dance clubs in the Prayer House. The biggest thanks go to Kim and Katherine, Anne and Alicia. It was just superb!  Look out for the film coming soon to this website. The message stays the same; we want young people to enjoy their lives and learn to live and work co-operatively and have increasing self-esteem and positive attitudes, avoiding the drugs scene and overcoming the challenges of poverty and its effects. Look out! We plan to develop the opportunities by finding trainers who could come to lead drama and music workshops next year. Is there anybody out there who can sponsor some musical instruments… even steel drums?

We hope to have some photos of the event to display soon!