At Kwa Watoto School, quality of education and co-curricular activities sets us apart from many other schools in Nairobi, and contribute to the holistic growth and development of our students. The practice and performance of drama, music and dance nurtures creative talent and provides opportunity to express ideas, communicate, collaborate, compete, and have fun. Last term, students prepared for an inter-house drama and dance festival that took place on August 6, 2014.Preparation and practice for the event began in May. Students and teachers divided into four competing houses designated by colors - red, yellow, blue and green. All students and teachers had an opportunity to participate – teachers wrote and directed; students performed. The drama categories included dramatized solo, choral verse speaking, oral narratives, plays, and dramatized cultural dance. Each category highlighted multiple issues that affect, influence, and are common to both humankind and Kenyan culture. All acts were age appropriate and adapted from the school curriculum.

Students were excited about the competition and put determined effort into their preparation. The day of festivities began at 9:00 AM at the Mathare Social Hall. Those in attendance included students, teachers, Pastor Bob Kikuyu, and Bishop Isaiah Kimani. Mr. Omwamba, a secondary school teacher of Art and Design, and a certified Music and Drama adjudicator, was the main judge at the event.The dramatized cultural dances and songs are those performed during various Kenyan rites of passage. Green, Red and Yellow teams performed dances from the Luhya community of Western Kenya, entertaining the audience with their rendition of wedding and circumcision songs. Blue team presented a musical story from the Kamba community of Eastern Kenya about Selina, who lost grain she had ground to birds of the air.The plays were all morality tale dramas. Blue team presented a play entitled “Fatuma and the Genie” about disobedience. Green team performed “Humility” about mean Mr. Pride who always mistreated and had no regard for Humility. Yellow team told a sad tale about Maria Shida, a girl who experienced many troubles. The Red team portrayed the advantages of obeying teachers through their play, “Mwalimu Kasema…” (The Teacher said…).The overall competition winner was the Blue team who won in three categories - solo verse, play, and dance – and who celebrated their win with exuberance. Yellow house won for choral verse and Green house won the oral narrative. The nursery class won best performance in choral verse speaking as they expressed their appreciation for their teachers in a Swahili choral verse titled “Mwalimu.”Individual winners were: Ryan Kazungu for best actor and best overall performing artist; Mary Asiko for best actress; Gideon Mwangi for best instrumentalist; and David Theuri was recognized for his potential.

All students received praise for their efforts and were encouraged to continue to work hard and have fun as they prepare to take part in the 2015 Kenyan National Drama Festival. At that time, students will compete with other schools in a zonal competition, with the hope of advancing to district and national competitions.We at eduKenya are thrilled to see Kwa Watoto students experience opportunities to develop positive character traits using multiple channels of educational experience, including artistic expression. We thank God for every opportunity to lift these children above their circumstances and transform their lives.Submitted by Ajema Kikuyu with Kathie Friedel