Wanuri Kahiu
Watch Vogue’s Profile Of Up-And-Coming Kenyan Filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu
Vogue Italia profiles award-winning Kenyan director Wanuri Kahiu in the video below; We’ve profiled and mentioned Wanuri on this website a number of times; she directed the Africa First Focus Features sci-fi short film, Pumzi, and she’s working on an adaptation of Nnedi Okorafor’s novel, Who Fears Death. Kisha Cameron-Dingle, who previously served as associate producer on Raoul Peck’s Sometimes in April and Spike Lee’sBamboozled, is producing.
__________________________
Kenya Moon Runner
Kenya Moon Runner is a school project by MIKAEL NÄSLUND an Interactive Art Director.
CLIENT:
Hyper Island / Grow / KenyaBRIEF:
This school project was hosted by Grow and the brief was to rebrand Kenya.CONCEPT:
The basic idea is to run to the moon. Kenya is known for having the best long distance runners in the world. So we made a big event that Kenya should be the first country running to the moon. We made it by inviting approximately 9000 Kenyans for the event. And that made Kenya run to the moon in less then 5 hours. But we did not want to stop there. We therefore invited the whole world to participates in a similar race, but on their Smartphones. While you’re running you can compete with you friends you can also build teams and compete with them. But everybodys distance is added to reach the moon.
__________________________
Solange Is Making It RAIN: Singer’s ‘Kenya’ Charity Track Puts Spotlight On Country’s Water Crisis
With all the international news storylines on our front pages and television screens, the water crisis affecting 1.8 million people living in Kenya has not received the coverage needed to raise public awareness or funds. But our girl Solange is using her gift to help put Kenya’s people in the forefront of our minds.
Solange Knowles recently partnered with The Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) to record the track “Kenya.” The song is co-written by Solange Knowles, Chris Taylor and Twin Shadow.
Founded by The Coca Cola Africa Foundation, RAIN is a $30 million initiative to provide over 2 million people in Africa with access to drinking water by 2015. The initiative brings together business, local government, NGOs, and committed individuals to help tackle the water crisis in Kenya and across the continent. So far, the program has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development to start 34 water projects in 19 countries.
The droughts in Kenya have affected the lives of nearly 2 million people coping to find water for themselves and their families. Without being able to keep themselves alive, many in Kenya’s rural areas have been unable to maintain the livestock that earn them money. The lack of water has also led to extremely high rates of absences for school children, with some districts reporting as many as 70% of students missing school.
While Kenya is not a stranger to droughts, this one has struck along with the global economic crisis and many are finding their livelihoods hanging by a thread. All proceeds from Solange’s “Kenya” will be used to provide access to clean water and sanitation resources to people in need not only in Kenya but across the continent as well.
Solange is really living the phrase, “Black gives back.” So often we see white celebrities actively championing causes affecting people of color around the world. While it is often suggested that black celebrities are not as involved in philanthropy, Solange is disproving the notion. The singer-songwriter is using her talents for a great cause and we could not be more proud.
To learn more about RAIN and how you can help those affected by the droughts, please visit the initiative’s website here.