The dangers of use of mobile phones by the youth come with uncontrolled social media content was a great concern on the second day of the 61st edition of the annual Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama and Film Festival.
Kenya High in a creative cultural dance Ohala depicts a daughter trying her hands with fishing helping her dad's business. She secures a smart phone to help marketing of the catch, but her dad is against the idea.
He feels the use of the smart phone and access to the social media and the cyberspace would expose her and erase family values instilled over the years. A discussion ensues on the pros and cons of use of digital technology and the risks therein. In the end a compromise is reached and the fish business take a big boom.
The dance is sourced from the graceful movements Dodo dance and is subtle in its presentation. Ohala is one such delightful presentations of how a story is told in movement, syncronised formations and accompaniment of melodious singing bring the message in the most non obtrusive fashion.
Gloria Wendy added to the query of use of social media in her French presentation of a solo verse Prisonniere Volontaire written and directed by Linet Kiragu. The persona in the verse is a college girl whose efforts in academics are futile in spite of the many sacrifices and support from her parents. Her dalliance with social media takes her to a journey of discovery of older rich men who would easily take advantage of her in exchange of gifts and some coin. She takes a laissez faire route changing one after another with some taking care of her clothes, others expeditions in top notch hotels and some lining her pockets in a carefree lifestyle.
Olekasasi High School from Ongata RongaI in Kajiado presented an Oral Narrative Adiki Jarachar with a persuasive message for society to be more understandable and compassionate about people living with disabilities. Written and directed by Nyakwar Dani, the narrative depicts the inhuman and illegal way of human trafficking targeting people with albinism.
Junior Secondary School and CBC featured in many a presentation including a Lakewood Primary School's play Tuzo written by Lydia Wanjira and produced by Paul Nzoka. The play rendered in Kiswahili was an entertaining piece of art presented by a cast that had mastered the directions and timely interjections and flawless change of scene. It calls for harmonization and equalization of all primary schools in terms of equipment and learning material so as to give every Kenyan an equal chance.
Tackling this theme playfully and joyfully was the Muthaiga Primary School who presented a play Bouncing Castle. The play scripted by Lydia Ruguru and directed by Bonnie Gaithori depicts Grade Two and Class Eight pupils from the same school and who are on an educational trip to a zoo park.
