The Winning Team: MWF2021 Graduation Part II

 

Lorna Juma MWF 2021

Deogracious Maero (Left) and Brian Kiragu Improv Acting

I found myself shouting “SUFURIA!” as my brain was telling me, “Dude, wrap it up, that’s the last item in here,” I saw mixed feelings in the audience. Mr. Machin, the facilitator of the improv acting session was a little confused. We were taking turns mentioning things that are found in a baking house. Whoever took too long to answer would be disqualified, get back to sit. To date, I still haven’t found the right translation for that term, and yes, the word pot doesn’t sit well in my brain.

From Left: Machin, Paul, Douglas, Trizah

The Cultural Attaché did well to bring life lessons in a simple and fun way. Imagine being called on stage, no script, no direction except a brief explanation to a conversation you are supposed to pick and build upon. Fellows volunteered to do this and as some fumbled or gave responses, it was easy for the audience to realize which response would end a conversation thereby “killing” the scene. This got me thinking, isn’t this life in real sense? Shakespeare’s words that the world is indeed a stage, and every human is an actor make more sense now. Taking from what Covid-19 has taught us, nothing could be further from the truth that improvisation is something we do as humans every day. It is then the decisions we take that decide how long we keep whatever we have, sadly, including life itself. Preparation is good; however, I dare say that the best way to do this is to keep an open mind, orient ourselves to the possibilities that could come about our lives.

Winnie Barawa (Left) and Elizabeth Okullow Role Playing

This session came after the Ignite Talks I had been moderating earlier on. Well, you’ll get more about that session but for now, let me focus on this beautiful soul’s presentation. Here’s her opening line,

“COVID-19 has gradually made our world more virtual, bringing more opportunities for the youth,”

Well, the first part is a little common, but “bringing more opportunities…” is not a phrase you here many people coin in a sentence where Covid is. Lorna Juma is a proud alumna of YALI, both RLC an MWF who’s speech inspired me a great deal. She tells us of having her baby during the pandemic and you can tell that no one is ever very well prepared for this, no matter how many books you’ll read. It’s a hands-on learning experience that sometimes casts whatever you had known into the trash can.

She goes on to mention the advantages we can draw from the unbecome happenings of Covid-19 such as opening of the global employment opportunities. Isn’t it amazing that the Oracle Academy Program Manager, sub-Saharan Africa has staff members whom she has never met except virtually and everyone lives in his/her own country? Thanks to the pandemic, this is just a normal thing. Covid made us empress improvisation!

Lorna receiving the certificate from Charge de Affairs

 Lorna doesn’t say it’s all been smooth or we just water down the negative impact of Covid-19, No! In fact, she’s bold to mention a halt in the operations of her own initiative. However, she notes that that break gives one time to regroup, figure out the best foot to put forward, come back stronger, just like someone who makes a wrong move in chess, sacrificing the Queen, but eventually gives the opponent a checkmate, after a time of reflection. Yes, you lost, so what?

Africa is blessed. Apart from the natural resources that adorn this continent, she is well endowed with youths who, if they decide, causing an overhaul of systems and disruption of the status quo for the best is the easiest thing on the planet. This will be our next episode, here from the fellows who intend to vie for various seats in the coming elections!  For now, Let's see some faces, shall we?

Philip Olilo

From left: Lenah, Besnson, Esther, Nyaga and Viola

Saumu Idd (Left) and Viola 

Stanley Ratemo

Hellen Nakaru (Left) and Jacky Waiharo
Photo by Jacky Waiharo

Fellows pose for a photo before graduation

Douglas Ogutu is the founder of Dowe Music &Arts. He is passionate about sound leadership and social positive change in Africa. Art is a tool he uses to transform lives in Kenya and Africa.

**Unless otherwise stated, all photos by Douglas and Saumu Idd.