Kenya Update

As I sat on a sweaty, packed matatu (15 passenger van used for public transport here) driving through the muddy roads of the slums of Kibera on our way to class this morning, I reflected on the divine guidance and overflowing blessings received in recent days and my heart swelled with joy. These first couple of weeks here have been more fruitful than I ever could have imagined. I am staying at the YMCA hostel in a room about 7'x10' . We have either freezing water or scalding water and have not had electricity for almost 3 days now. I do all my journal writing and reading by candlelight. There are nice affluent places in downtown Nairobi if one can and wants to spend the money. I don't want to give you the wrong idea about Kenya. I just happen to be in an area that struggles.

On the plane flying in, my stomach was in knots. I didn't realize the emotional stress and deep-seated anxiety my experience from last time had left. All the high intensity running through the dark streets, hiding out, not being able to come back to Nairobi because of the villages being burned and neighborhoods being pillaged; memories and emotions flooded my heart and mind as the plane landed. I am happy to report I have found a much more civil and very busy Kenya than the one I left. The streets are filled with honking buses and matatus and businesses are all open and busy in the downtown areas. The slums are teeming with hordes of people in the streets, parks and marketplaces. There are even people lounging and relaxing in Uhuru Park (Kenya's Central Park) where much of the rioting happened a few short months ago.

It took a few days to get in touch with everyone that has been on board in the past but once we got things going so many doors have opened I have not had a moment to rest. First thing, I was able to reconnected with the people I lived with out in Soweto slums from last time I was here. They were so excited to see me back to do more programs. They said it was a miracle that I came back to rebuild what we started before. That was refreshing to hear. I was thrilled to hear that the majority of the boys we were working with before are now in school. I only saw two of them at our gathering so I asked where the rest were and they informed me they were doing exams for school. How wonderful. Now THAT is the miracle, these guys straight off the streets doing well as full-time students. YES! With the success of the programs from last time they were anxious for us to get an ongoing program established for all of the children and youth who wanted to follow in their footsteps. So we have established a set schedule of classes 3 times a week there in Soweto. The first time I showed up to teach we couldn't all fit in the small tin hut we had planned on using so I went in search of a new space. There was a large building that had been half build and was still in
skeleton form that had nice open areas without walls built up yet. I had the kids clear out the bricks and lumber and voila, we had a new dance studio.

One of the boys from last time who didn't make it into school immediately, George, without instructions walked in the door and set up all the old drums we had used before. He had been practicing and was ready to play for class. We packed about 22 kids in the space that was covered in about an inch of dust/dirt and sawdust and had our first class. They were rowdy and unruly but I knew that was to be expected. Noone has ever taught them how to focus, discipline and accomplish a given task for more than a few minutes at a time. The first few classes are always the most difficult because as much as they want to be there they don't know what to expect. Those who stay have no idea what is in store for them. HA!

The second time we met threw me for a loop as we expanded the group by over 10. A bunch of the young men from the January programs came since it was a Saturday session and they weren't in school. What a joy to see them and to see the difference in their faces. They are growing to be mature, focused educated young men. To see the difference between them and the new
boys in the class was a huge eye-opener. They were with me on every step taught. Every move they were strict to follow. Exacting, strong and disciplined with no problems concentrating for the full 2 hour session. The simple lessons I insist on in class that have nothing to do with dance such as looking me in the eyes when they talk to me and answering my questions in clear full sentences seemed natural to them now.

These same boys that begged and did drugs---that came to class high most of the time back then, are now setting a great example for the younger ones coming up. They even offered after class to do the dances I had taught them 9 months ago. They remembered them and danced with such vigor I could hardly believe my eyes. Moses, the drummer and head dancer had taken charge when I left and kept rehearsing with them for months until they got tired of the same stuff with nothing new to rehearse. I was so proud of them. 

New doors unexpectedly opened in other parts of town. I was dumbfounded to go to the slums of Kibera where one of the boys from last time had joined a small drumming and dancing group called Wayo-Wayo. He had informed me in August that when I returned they had a number of boys from the streets of Kibera (the largest slum in all of Kenya) who were excited to start a
similar program. We connected and off we went to new areas I would have never found myself. They had created a makeshift dance space outdoors on uneven concrete by putting a layer of rubberized flooring over it. It acted nearly like a marly floor with cement under it. The boys began arriving and to my surprise not one of them was under 20 years old. They were nearly all high---either from some form of drug or alcohol. It was very difficult to get them to do the simplest movement together. Their attention span was miniscule to nill. I was happy they were there but phew! was not sure if it was going to happen. I warned them that I had no tolerance for coming to class in such a state and next time they had better come ready to work and train their minds and bodies. We had a few less the next class dropping from 16 to 10 but the class was great. Basic, yes but they were with me the whole time. We had sifted some of the players out. Word had gotten out so by the third class some serious boys who wanted to train showed up. We are up to 14 now.  I say boys but they are all in their lower to mid twenties. They are working hard and will improve by leaps and bounds over the coming months.
    I say coming months because Promethean Spark has been blessed greatly by a small band of local volunteers who are going to be taking over all the programs during the interim when there is no one visiting from NYC. The Boys Choir of Kenya has been wanting to give back to their community and world in ways more meaningful than just performing for them and they have seen fit to adopt these programs and assign a number of the more experienced boys to be the teachers. I have been privileged to meet nearly every day with a representative group of the BCK. Besides the technical training I do with them to lift their level of expertise in their performing, I have begun teachers' training classes with them. Each time I head out to teach I have from 1 to 3 assistants walking through the mud with me. We are sorting out which of the boys are up to the challenge to be able to step up and dance....actually step up and be confident leaders and mold these eager new hearts. It takes a certain set of skills beyond that of an ordinary teacher to be able to not only pioneer these types of programs but to take this level of lack of discipline and lead them slowly to a place of self-respect and ambition. And from there, the spark having been lit, the students can then move to a level of personal volition where they go out and seek it for themselves. Then further down the road, they reach a point where they want to give back. It is all a process, an upward spiral.

This is already long enough so I will not go into detail about the orphanage with over 1000 children in it that we are beginning programs in and the amazing grace that guided our footsteps to the gates of the Kamiti Prison where young men are brought to do rehabilitation for a 4 month period. Currently they either do nothing during their stint there or some do agricultural programs working in the fields planting, weeding, watering and harvesting. The new matron of the prison wants to turn it into what it was
meant to be and really change the boys who come there.  She has opened her arms to us asking that we start programs this week. As I spoke to the gathering of nearly 100 hardened street criminals, their eyes lit up when they heard they would be getting dance and musical training. After a whole slue of questions they all cheered at the possibility of being able to be a part of the program. I will be meeting with the matron tomorrow to coordinate and solidify our schedules.

I am so sad I will not be around to see the miracle of change take place over the coming months but I am so happy to have trustworthy members of our Promethean Spark Team-Kenya to turn the programs over to. Yes, I will be back and will be amazed once again next time I return but to see it first hand is sooooo inspiring.

On November 18th, 2 days before I fly to India, we are planning a large event where all of the satellite groups will be bussed in to perform for each other. The Boys Choir will also perform. They will have a chance to mingle, see what each other are doing and as these events continue every 2 months they will be able to see each other's progress and hear reports of who has gone on to do bigger and better things with their lives.

Like I said before, I could never have planned the amazing places Promethean Spark is being taken here in Kenya. I owe so much to the local volunteers and organizations who have hearts as big as Africa itself. Thank you all back home for your support and prayers and love. God is real and has His hand is over us as we strive to do good amongst His children. May He bless you all abundantly.

Your friend,
Shaun

8 of the 11 from the original Promethean Spark program in '07 who are now in school full-time.