Knowledge and cultural transformation in Kenyan counties

FOSTERING LOCAL TALENTS

We salute the first Anniversary
Of a public utility we all admire
The American Corner - fit for celebration
By enthusiastic junior and adult readers

We salute the American Embassy
For refurbishing the junior readers section
Of the Kenya National Library Services - Kisumu Branch
To make reading and writing smooth

We salute the American Embassy
And the Kenya Film Commission
For having mooted a great idea-
A film Industry in the region
The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya)

We salute the American Embassy
To avail a great intellectual opportunity
To Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley Provinces
To turn the Lake Region into a centre of excellence
Specifically in the area of film making
To maintain international film making standards

We salute the American Embassy
For coming to our assistance readily
We thank you for having provided
Training services in film making
Plus according the American corner with
Certain vital facilities
The Film Guild signed an M.O.U with the
Kisumu Area Library
To make possible the American Corner
Management Board
This has made us very proud.

We can now smile for a thing well done
The pride to read and write
The pride of a living, vibrant museum
That could offer boundless open windows

For a region endowed with talents
Alongside picturesque filming locations
As recipes for a vibrant film industry
Which is on spot and ripe for development

But who can assist us to mine this gold?
Gold in vast untapped, potential human talent?
If not our major benefactor-the American Embassy
Who will provide us with skills, and
Who will give us professional equipment?
Besides those who have all along mentored us?

We salute the American Embassy
For its magnanimity and her big heart
In all the assistance it has accorded us
And we wish to affirm our cooperation
To make our great dreams a reality
Thanks to Michael Rennanbeger, The American
Ambassador,
Madam Ellen the Cultural Attaché
And our friends in film making and cultural development.
Who foster the extension of our cooperation?

We thank the America Embassy
For fostering this cross-generational endeavour
To open window for talents development
To accord us a grand stand in excellence
That we can compete internationally
To highlight vital aspects of our society
The new America -Kisumu dream

Kudos Madam Ellen.
Kudos the American Embassy
Kudos the new American –Kisumu dream.

By Akech Obat Masira