Victor's Success Story and a Request

I am Victor Oluoch Mmboga, 23years of age.

I moved to Nairobi  in early 2005, hoping to get money from a relative to go to secondary school but it didn’t work out.  I made my living in the informal economy, buying and selling used clothing.  I am a survivor.  

I came to join Hot Sun Foundation in early 2008 after I heard of KIBERA KID a short film which was very famous in Nairobi by then. I wanted to follow up and meet the filmmakers of KIBERA KID but before I made the move, the director Nathan Collett was on one of the local TV stations where he gave out information about Hot Sun Foundation. I searched Kibera until I found Hot Sun Foundation. Someone gave me a camera, although I had never used one.  I started working on the filming the auditions for the feature film TOGETHERNESS SUPREME.  

Today I’m a different person from who I was. Hot Sun has transformed me to a visual and creative storyteller. Now I have a future and I believe I’m on the highway to achieve my dream. I joined Kibera Film School in August 2009 and graduated from the filmmaking foundation course in April 2010.

I love Kibera Film School for it has built others and me skillfully. And as the school continues to grow, many more talented youth in Kibera are going to be discovered and transformed to creative storytellers, too.

I’m the director of one of the fastest growing projects of Hot Sun Foundation -KIBERA TV where we collect daily stories of Kibera and upload them on YouTube and kiberatv.blogspot.com.  KIBERA TV has brought many youth together to learn about filmmaking using Flip cameras and editing techniques. Many organizations have come forward to use KIBERA TV to highlight the community’s stories and outreach.

I hope these two projects, Kibera Film School and Kibera TV,  grow wide and big because these are the vital tools to bring change in Kibera. One of the rhe main challenges we face is adequate equipment. 

Everyone reading my story can help out but donating at www.globalgiviing.org/3632.  

Thank you and my best wishes for the holiday season to all.

To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page

TRAINEES ATTEND KURUKA MAISHA EVENT

Boniface, a trainee  making a speech
about Hot Sun Foundation

 On Saturday, five trainees namely; Beatrice Aringa, Boniface Mogaka, Catherine Sikali, Mildred Odongo, Sandra Owaka and Alice Motieri went to Kuruka Maisha event to represent Hot Sun Foundation; the event took place at Go Down. The event was organized by Kuruka Maisha Foundation, which is also funded by Africalia Belgium. Mwelu foundation and Slum TV were also invited for  the event. The foundation mainly trainees young talented youths in things like acrobatics, traditional dance, music and so on. The most talented youths were awarded for their great efforts.

Some of the youths performing a Maasai Dance.

One of the best performer being awarded.

To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page

Children Workshops shoots and screenings

The past week has been a very busy and interesting week for us here at the film school, numerous activities took place in the past few days making the working atmosphere here intense but fun.
The children workshop organised by the film school joined hands with the future film makers workshop to produce a short film, the film was done by the children in the workshop all under the age of 17. The film they shot and edited was later on screened on sunday at Mchanganyiko hall in Kibera for the public. Members of the community gathered to see what young film makers from the community had came up with, it was a fascinating sight, the feedback regarding the film was very positive, and this was certainly an achievement for the young film makers.

To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page

A Message from a Hot Sun Foundation Success Story!

A Message from Josphat Keya (24) Projects Coordinator, Hot Sun Foundation 
I joined Hot Sun Foundation through Kibera Film School in the first intake of trainees in August, 2009.  Though I did not have prior knowledge in filmmaking I loved writing short stories and sometimes I’d send them to  local magazines for publication. No story was  ever published. I guess they did not fit what was wanted. My stories were what I saw happening to my fellow colleagues around me.

With the coming of Kibera Film School, I thought this was a perfect opportunity for me to relay my thoughts that I had wanted to do for so long, but did not have a chance. Now it would be even better with the filmmaking skills that I’d gain then my message will be more powerful.
 

My goal is to become a film director with a distinction of telling stories. Talking of telling stories I mean speaking what is not spoken, what is avoided to be spoken, that which is avoided but is really needed to be heard. For example two of my projects I’ve done were of controversial issues here in my community – one about stepmothers and the other about sexual identity. Something that nobody wants to talk about or fears talking about it. I believe through what I’ve done at least it will elicit dialogue and it won’t be a taboo talking about it anymore.
 

What Hot Sun Has done for me is immeasurable. It has made me what I am and what I’ll be, of course if I do not waiver I’ll be what I want to be, and all courtesy of Hot Sun. So I would love this to also happen to my fellow youths out there who were denied a chance to be what they want to be by systems set by selfish people in the society or those who don’t have the slightest idea of what the youth really need. Many think that the youth need cash in hand. No,  what we need is nurturing of what we can do best - our talent, our passion, our dreams.

During this holiday season, I ask each and every one of you to reach out to the youth in Kibera who are so eager to have a chance to develop their talents at Kibera Film School and Kibera TV programmes at Hot Sun Foundation.  
     You can help make this possible by
1.    Donating on www.globalgiving.org/3632 or at www.globalgiving.co.uk  (Hot Sun Foundation)
2.    Volunteering, especially if you have filmmaking skills. Contact us a info@hotsunfoundation.org for more information.
3.    Buying DVDs on buykiberakid.com
4.    Joining the blogspot kiberatv.blogspot.com, kiberafilmschool.blogspot.com and kiberakid.blogspot.com
5.    Becoming a fan on facebook : Kibera Film School, Kibera TV, TOGETHERNESS SUPREME feature film
6.    Following us on twitter HotSunFilms
7.    ALL OF THE ABOVE!    THANKS for all you do! 

To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page

TRAINEES ATTEND GATWITCH FESTIVALS

Trainees preparing for starting  of the event.

Today, trainees namely Aida Achieng, Belinda Adhiambo, Evaline Nyaaga, Kevin Machimbo and Martin Mbithi attended the Gatwitch festivals, which took place at Westgate in Nairobi. The feature film, Togetherness Supreme was also screened at the event. Among them were Ken Wando, Mildred Odongo and Moses Ouma, the Kibera TV reporters. The event, which started yesterday, will end tomorrow at Makini School.

Victor, an Assistant Trainer at Kibera Film School
 giving a speech, on the  feature film, Togetherness Supreme.

To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page

Kansas City (USA) Art Institute Graphic Designers working with Kibera TV

 The Kansas City Art Institute Graphic Design department is working with Kibera TV on a new logo and introductory video.  Professor Tyler Galloway  is working with students Bethany Ediger and Loren Cook.   THANKS for your creative energy and support!

 NOW IS THE TIME... of giving... of reaching out...of making a difference for talented young filmmakers in Kibera.....  GIVE TODAY on Global Giving... OR Give a GIFT CARD for someone

who will truly enjoy this unique gift.  THANKS for all you do!

To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page

The future filmmakers workshop

The future Filmmakers workshop came to Hot sun foundation to meet young children from children's workshop who have been attending classes in Hot sun foundation to learn film making.
There are four lucky kids aged between 12 years to 15 years who have been selected to attend a workshop taking place in karen that will be running for 10 days starting from today 1st Dec-10th 2010.
















To support the great youth of the Kibera Film School, please visit our Global Giving Page