My attempt to make a positive impact in Kenya

It has been about two years since I wrote a story like this. Back then I was in Syria. Right now I'm very happy not to be in Syria. I'm in Kenya. By mere coincidence, in fact, I came here for my studies. However, I've graduated now and am still around. That is because Kenya is nice. It is beautiful, it is interesting and there is a sense of hope in the air. Also there is plenty left to be done, giving me the impression that me being here is more useful than me being in the Netherlands.

At the moment I'm working on four projects here. I have my company GlocalPresents, selling handmade products from Kenya to wherever you are. This way I create some income for artists and craftsmen, who like many others have a hard time sustaining their families. Also this enables me to sustain myself and to fund the other projects I'm working on. A second project is done through an organisation called 'Hurinobuheri', or 'We have compassion'. The organisation supports orphans and other vulnerable children during Saturday meetings, providing two good meals, 3 teachers for education and the opportunity to have fun. It is initiated by some of my best Kenyan friends.

I'm helping them out with my advise and funds, though these unfortunately are far from endless. A third project is only being prepared now. It would entail the reforestation of a small piece of land, in such a way that it grows loads of food and other useful products. The fourth project is the most relevant at this very moment:

To refer back to Syria, Kenya has not always been more peaceful. It was just in 2008 that violence was widespread after incumbent president Kibaki, fairly or not, was declared to rule a second term. Opposition leader Odinga called for 'peaceful mass action'. Mass action there was, from both sides, but peaceful it was not. Two of my dearest friends shared with me how they were hunted for by hundreds of armed people, but miraculously survived and after some weeks of struggling fled to their ancestral lands. I found this story worthy of being told. Especially after I have seen what these resourceful but impoverished people are able to do for the community around them, even now that they are refugees.

While the idea of turning this story into a movie haunted me, by coincidence filmmaker and anthropologist Esther crossed my path. She could not resist the opportunity I offered her and soon got a colleague and friend of hers on board. During my stay in the Netherlands we met up shortly to discuss all aspects that had to be considered. Ever since we have been working as a team on the movie, which will be a positive documentary about what even the poorest and least fortunate of people are able to achieve.

The documentary is particularly important now. For Kenya, because the gathering storm for the next elections to be held within a year already mounts. Moreover two of the presidential candidates are suspects of orchestrating the violence last time. In the near future their trial will start in The Hague at the International Criminal Court. Will they be locked up? And will that prevent new violence, or rather fire it up? Or would one of them manage to become president but found to be guilty after his inauguration? In any case they've actively started campaigning already, holding dramatised prayer rallies throughout the country. The prayers are focused on them not being convicted. No prayers for the 1000+ deaths, and 600.000 refugees.

So the documentary will be about these two aspects: a refugee family making the best of life and two suspected presidential candidates praying for the judge to rule in their favor. I invite you to have a look at this promotional clip and stay updated through liking this Facebook page. To make this documentary funding is necessary. My company GlocalPresents is willing to provide funding, but in order to do so it needs profit. For that reason I will come up with several promotions in the weeks to come. As of today the first promotion starts. Do you already possess a chess set? Then now I offer you another one which is way nicer, handmade from soapstone with unique designs. Don't have a chess set yet? Then this is the most appropriate time to acquire one! Moreover these are 'feel good' chess sets.

Producer George Ombaire gets a decent bonus. Moreover 40% of the profit will be dedicated by GlocalPresents to the education of his five children. George has told me numerous times, and once again yesterday when I visited him and his father at their one room appartment, that paying school fees is his greatest struggle since his shop was looted 4 years ago during the same post-election violence as described above. Another 20% is directed to the orphans and vulnerable children of Hurinobuheri. The remaining 40% will be donated to the documentary at this crowdfunding campaign. As you see 100% is given away. Why? Because GlocalPresents cares more about education and peace than about money. But feel free to buy any of the other products. Still 40% will benefit producers and 20% will support orphans and vulnerable children, but the remaining 40% will be used to sustain GlocalPresents, including me, as founder and director.

You don't care about chess? Stay tuned for more peaceful offers! The next one, starting after two weeks, will be for bags produced by an institution for physically disabled people and others produced by HIV positive women. Follow GlocalPresents on Facebook or subscribe to the newsletter to stay updated!