When power of the arts
With unique magic touches hearts
Like nova, you Pamela Ohonde shine
Among those you have elevated to cloud nine
A champion of orphaned children cause
Being a veteral orphan yourself
Oh Pamela, talented daughter of Ugenya
With what praise can we salute you
For your hearty contribution to the unknown
Orphaned children of fate far, far away…………..
Your fame will echo across- the seas
As your kindness resonates with orphan woes
Feeling the pulse of your help to unknown
In far away in Usigu-Yimbo and Ukwala Ugenya
Where the HIV/ AIDS pandemic has ravaged many
Robbing homes and cropping orphnas everywhere
Oh Pamela, your vision is a worthy mission:
Indeed a hostilic approach to child development
Through reading writing to child development
Harnesing talents of great value to society
When - the power of the arts
With its unique magic touch hearts
The daughter of Nzoia, daughter of Ugenya
You are an angel with a heart of gold
And that’s why your tale must be told
To promote the arts to foster development:
To control, reduce and manage hive/ aids
To consolidate the role of Kenyans in the Diaspora
From the new road Baptist Church, Oxford City
To pay school fees for our orphans education
And to create home based health care for all:
You’re most worthy contribution to the unknown
Oh nyar Siranga, a rare star in our galaxy
What song of praise can we compose for you ,
That would be most fitting for your sacrifice
To the orphaned children of Usigu and Ukwala
The focus of your benevolence and selflessness,
Great attributes that few have,
And yet attributes that very few use………….
To care fro the needy, the lonely and forgotten
Your efforts insulate many from the future disasters
Often child labour, prostitution and molestation
Often opening a Pandora’s box of human cruelty
Where the orphan is stigmatized without sympathy-
Oh Pamela Ohonde, daughter of Siranga
Nyar duke wahinde mar Siranga
Where the mighty river Nzioa brings delight,
We salute you fro your magnamity
And for your open mind
We salute you!!!Pamela the Tac:- angelic
AKECH OBAT – MASIRA
KISUMU CITY, KENYA
@ AUGUST 2007
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
From Commercialization of Film Making to a People’s Film Industry
The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya) an umbrella movement of local film makers based in Western Kenya.
The Film Guild hopes to inspire the local film makers to dream more of film making, learn new tricks in film making and therefore producing more interesting and memorable films.
The FILM GUILD”S vision is to make the Lake Basin region a centre of excellence in film making and the mission is to produce competent professionals capable of producing films that notch international standards. Its only through quality supporting and film making that we can become the new beacon of film making nationally.
It’s our intension as the FILM GUILD to seek ways and means of moving away from the commercialization of film making to a people’s film industry. A new industry that is not associated with professional mediocrity. Our films should be original and creative. We should not compromise creativity and originality at the alter of greed and short cuts. In the recent past, the region has been to the hub of low quality film productions and a place of cheap film labour force, local arstistes have complained of being manipulated and short changed in the industry by outside forces. This trend should be reversed. This should be our agenda as film makers in the region in 2011.
The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya), hopes to create an indelible mark in the film industry through hard work, quality, creative and original scripting. This calls for a concerted effort by all stakeholders:- The region should accept to be spanner boys in the film industry. We should belong at the centre of film making. We need to market film industry to local establishment in the new counties.
The film industry has brought us together so that we can dream together. Tell our stories without fear in our uniquely way and with passion for posterity. We have a choice, to choice between profiteering and creativity. We have everything at our disposal. Lets not be divided to achieve the selfish ends. Some individuals would want to reap where they did not sow, for they see a lucrative market in the region.
As the former President of U.S.A. JF Kennedy stated in 1962 in Ottawa in Canada in poetic speech.
Geography has made us neighbours.
History made us friends.
We have shared common aspirations.
For the future
Our future and
The future of all mankind.
As the JFK stated, Geography has made us brothers and sisters. History has made us film makers and we have shared common aspirations because of our cultural backgrounds. As local film makers, let’s strive for quality film making. It’s a truism, that good scripting is the spine of good film making. World renown film script writers namely: Leighton Grist and David Lusted, once stated that “Writing, like all representation, is never innocent. To write about anything is explicitly or implicitly, to delimit, expand or challenge how it is perceived and constituted, neither is writing ever neutral. We write from a particular position, in habit a particular discourse, which the very act of writing seeks to validate”. From what perspective are we going to tell our untold stories? Are we going for short cuts and borrow heavily from Nigeria as most us have done before? This is Kenya and not Nollywood.
The 1st Regional Film/Theatre/Gospel/Radio and Fine Arts Awards seeks to invigorate cultural and film enterprise in the region by increasing the public’s consciousness of arts and film industry by providing organizational framework that will “market” the local artistes and film makers and their products effectively.
The main of objective of organizing the regional Awards is basically to expose, popularize and support the local film industry.
The Awards ceremony was founded this year to appreciate and recognize the local film makers, gospel artists for their exemplary and unique artistic contributions in the development of local film industry. The local film makers have expanded the space and the dimension of the emergence of local film industry.
The Justification for the Development of Local Film Industry.
The history of Kenya’s cultural, creative expressions, film industry and sporting activities is decorated by some of great talents from the Western region. The region, so to speak, has produced some of the most interesting and memorable creative writers, artistes and sports people. In the world of creative expression, the region boasts of Mrs. Grace Ogot, Mrs. Asenath Odaga, Dr. Margaret Ogolla and Prof. Francis Imbuga. Kenya’s film luminaries like Athumani Kapanga, Joseph Olita and Oliver Litondo. In the world of sports, soccer wizards like Shem Chimoto, Peter Oronge, James Sianga, Ouma Chege. Athletics, Charles Asati, Alice Adala, Kipchoge Keino. In visual arts, we have unique sculptors like Elkana Ongesa and John Diang’a.
A great Japanese philosopher made an observation about artistes and this is what he said “The creative mind do wonderful things but unless the public attaches value to what has been created, they will always be reduced to Toys and Jokes. It is important for those who create ideas, products and unique services to ensure that people see value in their creation. This calls for marketing and publicity. We need therefore, to cultivate a good working relations with the Media Houses to support the local film industry in Western Kenya. What strategies are we going to put in place to market and publicizes our unique services and creation in the region and beyond?
Brothers and sisters, it is a truism, that the various arts in Western Kenya are in the process of decline because they have been relegated to the position of unprofitable enterprises. Unfortunately, such great talents have emerged spontaneously and without organized local or national support consequently, some of the best talents in the region have been “forced” to retire early into oblivion, this has led to the falling cultural and film standards. This has moreover increased reliance on the imported cultural products and film productions. Some of the cultural products have actually borrowed from this region’s cultural potential.
REGIONAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya) realizes that tourism has and continues to play a critical role in the Kenya’s economic development. It has also contributed significantly to foreign and employment creation. The local film making will also go along way in the development of both domestic and foreign tourism. We believe that in future, film making will be a profession and not only a hobby. Film making is a big cake for all of us. Through film making, we will celebrate our cultural diversity in style.
The Awards ceremony will be an annual event in the region. We will also expect the participation of other players from the Lake Basin Region particularly, in Uganda and Tanzania (Lake Victoria Basin Film Guild chapters) in 2011. The future is bright if we don’t allow “foreign” meddlers to play Russian Roulette with our film industry. Let’s work as a team.
Film is a powerful social tool for transformative change, for film transcends time and space. It reveals what the eye cannot see. Let us not compromise arts for the sake of sheer profiteering,
Let’s protect the region from film exploitation, greed and manipulative forces. The region should not be reduced to a centre of mediocrity and cheap acting labour force.
APPRECIATION
The FILM GUILD is greatly indebted to the American Embassy for continued support and facilitations of the international film workshops. That has seen great American Film Makers facilitating workshops in Kisumu and Maseno University.
We are grateful to the American film makers like Prof. M.K. Asante, Mr. Scott Galloway, Madam Erin Persley, Mr. Giancalos Esposito, Madam Micks Dickoff, Madam Sandra Ruff. We also would like to acknowledge the Kenya International Film Festival for the organization of the 1st Kenya International Film Festival in Kisumu in 2010 at the Silver Bird Cinema at the Mega City (Nakumatt) and the Kenya Film Commission.
In conclusion, we as local film makers must strive and strategize on moving away from the commercialization of film making to a people’s film industry in Western Kenya.
We wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New year.
May God Bless you abundantly.
Akech Obat Masira
Chairman
Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya)
Presented During the 1st Regional Film/Theatres/Radio/Gospel and Fine Arts Awards
The Kisumu Area Library, Kisumu
December 1, 2010.
Tel: +254 726 164 954
Email: obatmasira@yahoo.com.
The Film Guild hopes to inspire the local film makers to dream more of film making, learn new tricks in film making and therefore producing more interesting and memorable films.
The FILM GUILD”S vision is to make the Lake Basin region a centre of excellence in film making and the mission is to produce competent professionals capable of producing films that notch international standards. Its only through quality supporting and film making that we can become the new beacon of film making nationally.
It’s our intension as the FILM GUILD to seek ways and means of moving away from the commercialization of film making to a people’s film industry. A new industry that is not associated with professional mediocrity. Our films should be original and creative. We should not compromise creativity and originality at the alter of greed and short cuts. In the recent past, the region has been to the hub of low quality film productions and a place of cheap film labour force, local arstistes have complained of being manipulated and short changed in the industry by outside forces. This trend should be reversed. This should be our agenda as film makers in the region in 2011.
The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya), hopes to create an indelible mark in the film industry through hard work, quality, creative and original scripting. This calls for a concerted effort by all stakeholders:- The region should accept to be spanner boys in the film industry. We should belong at the centre of film making. We need to market film industry to local establishment in the new counties.
The film industry has brought us together so that we can dream together. Tell our stories without fear in our uniquely way and with passion for posterity. We have a choice, to choice between profiteering and creativity. We have everything at our disposal. Lets not be divided to achieve the selfish ends. Some individuals would want to reap where they did not sow, for they see a lucrative market in the region.
As the former President of U.S.A. JF Kennedy stated in 1962 in Ottawa in Canada in poetic speech.
Geography has made us neighbours.
History made us friends.
We have shared common aspirations.
For the future
Our future and
The future of all mankind.
As the JFK stated, Geography has made us brothers and sisters. History has made us film makers and we have shared common aspirations because of our cultural backgrounds. As local film makers, let’s strive for quality film making. It’s a truism, that good scripting is the spine of good film making. World renown film script writers namely: Leighton Grist and David Lusted, once stated that “Writing, like all representation, is never innocent. To write about anything is explicitly or implicitly, to delimit, expand or challenge how it is perceived and constituted, neither is writing ever neutral. We write from a particular position, in habit a particular discourse, which the very act of writing seeks to validate”. From what perspective are we going to tell our untold stories? Are we going for short cuts and borrow heavily from Nigeria as most us have done before? This is Kenya and not Nollywood.
The 1st Regional Film/Theatre/Gospel/Radio and Fine Arts Awards seeks to invigorate cultural and film enterprise in the region by increasing the public’s consciousness of arts and film industry by providing organizational framework that will “market” the local artistes and film makers and their products effectively.
The main of objective of organizing the regional Awards is basically to expose, popularize and support the local film industry.
The Awards ceremony was founded this year to appreciate and recognize the local film makers, gospel artists for their exemplary and unique artistic contributions in the development of local film industry. The local film makers have expanded the space and the dimension of the emergence of local film industry.
The Justification for the Development of Local Film Industry.
The history of Kenya’s cultural, creative expressions, film industry and sporting activities is decorated by some of great talents from the Western region. The region, so to speak, has produced some of the most interesting and memorable creative writers, artistes and sports people. In the world of creative expression, the region boasts of Mrs. Grace Ogot, Mrs. Asenath Odaga, Dr. Margaret Ogolla and Prof. Francis Imbuga. Kenya’s film luminaries like Athumani Kapanga, Joseph Olita and Oliver Litondo. In the world of sports, soccer wizards like Shem Chimoto, Peter Oronge, James Sianga, Ouma Chege. Athletics, Charles Asati, Alice Adala, Kipchoge Keino. In visual arts, we have unique sculptors like Elkana Ongesa and John Diang’a.
A great Japanese philosopher made an observation about artistes and this is what he said “The creative mind do wonderful things but unless the public attaches value to what has been created, they will always be reduced to Toys and Jokes. It is important for those who create ideas, products and unique services to ensure that people see value in their creation. This calls for marketing and publicity. We need therefore, to cultivate a good working relations with the Media Houses to support the local film industry in Western Kenya. What strategies are we going to put in place to market and publicizes our unique services and creation in the region and beyond?
Brothers and sisters, it is a truism, that the various arts in Western Kenya are in the process of decline because they have been relegated to the position of unprofitable enterprises. Unfortunately, such great talents have emerged spontaneously and without organized local or national support consequently, some of the best talents in the region have been “forced” to retire early into oblivion, this has led to the falling cultural and film standards. This has moreover increased reliance on the imported cultural products and film productions. Some of the cultural products have actually borrowed from this region’s cultural potential.
REGIONAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya) realizes that tourism has and continues to play a critical role in the Kenya’s economic development. It has also contributed significantly to foreign and employment creation. The local film making will also go along way in the development of both domestic and foreign tourism. We believe that in future, film making will be a profession and not only a hobby. Film making is a big cake for all of us. Through film making, we will celebrate our cultural diversity in style.
The Awards ceremony will be an annual event in the region. We will also expect the participation of other players from the Lake Basin Region particularly, in Uganda and Tanzania (Lake Victoria Basin Film Guild chapters) in 2011. The future is bright if we don’t allow “foreign” meddlers to play Russian Roulette with our film industry. Let’s work as a team.
Film is a powerful social tool for transformative change, for film transcends time and space. It reveals what the eye cannot see. Let us not compromise arts for the sake of sheer profiteering,
Let’s protect the region from film exploitation, greed and manipulative forces. The region should not be reduced to a centre of mediocrity and cheap acting labour force.
APPRECIATION
The FILM GUILD is greatly indebted to the American Embassy for continued support and facilitations of the international film workshops. That has seen great American Film Makers facilitating workshops in Kisumu and Maseno University.
We are grateful to the American film makers like Prof. M.K. Asante, Mr. Scott Galloway, Madam Erin Persley, Mr. Giancalos Esposito, Madam Micks Dickoff, Madam Sandra Ruff. We also would like to acknowledge the Kenya International Film Festival for the organization of the 1st Kenya International Film Festival in Kisumu in 2010 at the Silver Bird Cinema at the Mega City (Nakumatt) and the Kenya Film Commission.
In conclusion, we as local film makers must strive and strategize on moving away from the commercialization of film making to a people’s film industry in Western Kenya.
We wish you a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New year.
May God Bless you abundantly.
Akech Obat Masira
Chairman
Lake Victoria Basin Film Makers Guild (Kenya)
Presented During the 1st Regional Film/Theatres/Radio/Gospel and Fine Arts Awards
The Kisumu Area Library, Kisumu
December 1, 2010.
Tel: +254 726 164 954
Email: obatmasira@yahoo.com.
Is there a relationship between film and literature?
For a long time, there has existed an interrelationship and mutual influence between literature and other forms of artistic expressions. This has resulted in painting and music based on works of fiction, drama and poetry, as well as literary works emulating pictorial styles and musical structures. The creative exchange between literature and film was initiated in the last decade of the 19th Century. Initially, film was most related to photography and painting.
Literature shares with film the ability to employ the structures and devices of narrative. Sequence of images on screen told a story and this is equivalent to the sequence of words on page. The use of language in film established firmly the connections to literature.
Films, just like in literature, present i) action ii) images iii) words replicating life. Literary works also have a stylistic and thematic basis in a realistic presentation of characters and incidents. Theatre, initially, seemed nearest to film because of the common use of actors and sets. Critics agree that films have a stronger affinity with fiction, especially with the pronounced emphasis on narrative. However, whereas the primary thrust of literature is linguistic, the thrust of film is imagistic/ visual and immediate.
Film draws from the tradition of live theatre which includes techniques of staging, lighting, movement and gestures. From the novel, film draws from structure, characterization, theme and point of view.
From poetry it draws from an understanding of metaphor, symbolism and other literary tropes. Film can extend into areas of the innermost privacy and consciousness just like poetry does.
From music film draws from rhythm, repetition and counterpoint.
From painting it draws from sensitivity to shape, form, visual textures and colour.
Popular film developed with the emergence of the 18th Century novel. Both the 18th Century novel and film relied heavily upon realism as a technique. Early films were concerned, just like with realism in literature, daily lives of ordinary people. The subject matter and audiences were people of low social standing.
An analogy stands out for film and literature. The basic structural units of the novel were replicated in film. In the novel we have: the word, sentence, paragraph, chapter and the entire novel. In film we have the frame, shot scene and sequence. The word in literature and the image in film were similar in so far as they are visual phenomena, both perceived with the eye.
Despite different degrees of explication, both writers and filmmakers use language or languages. Some differences may exist however. For instance, whereas the film is multi-sensory communal experience emphasizing immediacy, literature is a monosensory private experience that is more conductive to reflection. A film is usually viewed in others’ presence who become a larger part of the film’s experience. Each audience member acknowledges the presence of the others. Audience response can also affect perception of a film. A novel is typically a private experience in which the relationship between the author and the reader is relatively direct and immediate. Others’ responses do not impinge on the novel, thus making it conducive to reflection as the reader can pause and mull over or re-read.
The above notwithstanding, the film and the novel are alike insofar as their order is typically linear. Movement is generally sequential and the events and scenes are ordered in direct relation to each other. Whether the order is ABC or CBA, the progression is usually sequential, straightforward and predictable.
By and large, therefore, film is considered as a branch of literature. Filmmakers are indebted to literature in a wide variety of ways. Since literature is a narrative art intent upon creating images and sounds in the reader’s mind, then film is obviously literary- an extension of the older narrative arts. Indeed, the most distinctive quality of good writing is visual: to convey images by means of words, to make the mind see, to project onto that inner screen of the brain a moving picture of objects and events to convey a balance and reconciliation of a more than usual state of emotion with more than usual order. Film is therefore visual literacy (as opposed to verbal literacy), a new medium which is an extension and enlargement of the idea of literacy itself. In contemporary scholarship, everything written, for example, film scripts, are a part of the study of literature, thus film is a branch of literature.
Literature shares with film the ability to employ the structures and devices of narrative. Sequence of images on screen told a story and this is equivalent to the sequence of words on page. The use of language in film established firmly the connections to literature.
Films, just like in literature, present i) action ii) images iii) words replicating life. Literary works also have a stylistic and thematic basis in a realistic presentation of characters and incidents. Theatre, initially, seemed nearest to film because of the common use of actors and sets. Critics agree that films have a stronger affinity with fiction, especially with the pronounced emphasis on narrative. However, whereas the primary thrust of literature is linguistic, the thrust of film is imagistic/ visual and immediate.
Film draws from the tradition of live theatre which includes techniques of staging, lighting, movement and gestures. From the novel, film draws from structure, characterization, theme and point of view.
From poetry it draws from an understanding of metaphor, symbolism and other literary tropes. Film can extend into areas of the innermost privacy and consciousness just like poetry does.
From music film draws from rhythm, repetition and counterpoint.
From painting it draws from sensitivity to shape, form, visual textures and colour.
Popular film developed with the emergence of the 18th Century novel. Both the 18th Century novel and film relied heavily upon realism as a technique. Early films were concerned, just like with realism in literature, daily lives of ordinary people. The subject matter and audiences were people of low social standing.
An analogy stands out for film and literature. The basic structural units of the novel were replicated in film. In the novel we have: the word, sentence, paragraph, chapter and the entire novel. In film we have the frame, shot scene and sequence. The word in literature and the image in film were similar in so far as they are visual phenomena, both perceived with the eye.
Despite different degrees of explication, both writers and filmmakers use language or languages. Some differences may exist however. For instance, whereas the film is multi-sensory communal experience emphasizing immediacy, literature is a monosensory private experience that is more conductive to reflection. A film is usually viewed in others’ presence who become a larger part of the film’s experience. Each audience member acknowledges the presence of the others. Audience response can also affect perception of a film. A novel is typically a private experience in which the relationship between the author and the reader is relatively direct and immediate. Others’ responses do not impinge on the novel, thus making it conducive to reflection as the reader can pause and mull over or re-read.
The above notwithstanding, the film and the novel are alike insofar as their order is typically linear. Movement is generally sequential and the events and scenes are ordered in direct relation to each other. Whether the order is ABC or CBA, the progression is usually sequential, straightforward and predictable.
By and large, therefore, film is considered as a branch of literature. Filmmakers are indebted to literature in a wide variety of ways. Since literature is a narrative art intent upon creating images and sounds in the reader’s mind, then film is obviously literary- an extension of the older narrative arts. Indeed, the most distinctive quality of good writing is visual: to convey images by means of words, to make the mind see, to project onto that inner screen of the brain a moving picture of objects and events to convey a balance and reconciliation of a more than usual state of emotion with more than usual order. Film is therefore visual literacy (as opposed to verbal literacy), a new medium which is an extension and enlargement of the idea of literacy itself. In contemporary scholarship, everything written, for example, film scripts, are a part of the study of literature, thus film is a branch of literature.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS - a play
THE SYNOPSIS
The play “THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS” is an original play set in the Southern part of Nyanza at Lambwe Valley. A valley of magic, blessed with uniqueness. hills, river, wildlife and great waters.
The valley was called the valley of darkness. Others from beyond the valley called it the valley of darkness or the jewel valley, sometimes the foreigners would romanticize the valley by calling it cream valley. Whatever it was, it was a great site to marvel at it was a local treasure to the world.
The inhabitants, however, called the valley of darkness, the valley of meat, for they had insatiable appetite for more meat and more deaths – the wildlife in the valley of darkness moved elsewhere. But the human and animal conflict continued, unabated.
Slowly by slowly the meat supply started to dwindle. The inhabitants were therefore forced to go deeper into the valley of death and darkness to seek new supply.
In the valley of darkness, a lone ranger’s voice was heard loud and clear. The voice came from Joyce, a local woman of the valley of darkness. In the recent past, she had traveled to Kit – Mikayi, northern part of the valley of darkness. Joyce had gone to bury her aunt Mary Adhiambo Nyar Manyatta. It was there at Kit Mikayi that Joyce saw the light at the end of the tunnel - That indeed TOURISM ENRICHES, for she had heard what tourism industry could do to the Lake region if all tourism attraction are marketed Internationally. Joyce looked around and saw the region dotted with tourism treasure.
Will Joyce, Alunga, the Chief and the Officer transform this valley of meat and darkness into a valley of prosperity for posterity?
Akech Obat-Masira
Director, Misango Arts Ensemble
The play “THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS” is an original play set in the Southern part of Nyanza at Lambwe Valley. A valley of magic, blessed with uniqueness. hills, river, wildlife and great waters.
The valley was called the valley of darkness. Others from beyond the valley called it the valley of darkness or the jewel valley, sometimes the foreigners would romanticize the valley by calling it cream valley. Whatever it was, it was a great site to marvel at it was a local treasure to the world.
The inhabitants, however, called the valley of darkness, the valley of meat, for they had insatiable appetite for more meat and more deaths – the wildlife in the valley of darkness moved elsewhere. But the human and animal conflict continued, unabated.
Slowly by slowly the meat supply started to dwindle. The inhabitants were therefore forced to go deeper into the valley of death and darkness to seek new supply.
In the valley of darkness, a lone ranger’s voice was heard loud and clear. The voice came from Joyce, a local woman of the valley of darkness. In the recent past, she had traveled to Kit – Mikayi, northern part of the valley of darkness. Joyce had gone to bury her aunt Mary Adhiambo Nyar Manyatta. It was there at Kit Mikayi that Joyce saw the light at the end of the tunnel - That indeed TOURISM ENRICHES, for she had heard what tourism industry could do to the Lake region if all tourism attraction are marketed Internationally. Joyce looked around and saw the region dotted with tourism treasure.
Will Joyce, Alunga, the Chief and the Officer transform this valley of meat and darkness into a valley of prosperity for posterity?
Akech Obat-Masira
Director, Misango Arts Ensemble
THE MELTING CHOCOLATE - A Play
THE DRAMA PRODUCTION
THE LAUNCH
The East African Community /AMREF
Partnership for Lake Victoria
THE SYNOPSIS
THE TITLE: THE MELTING CHOCOLATE
BY AKECH OBAT MASIRA
This is a story of Betty. A young university industrious, brilliant and committed university student pursuing her degree course at the prestigious University.
The East African Community University based within the region.
During her college life, she meets many challenges in life. These challenges therefore provoke and stimulate her to critically examine the university ways of life and how best these very problems could be amicably addressed. She starts to champion the cause of university students, particularly in the provision of inadequate health services at the institution because of the increased student population.
Her former high schoolmate Mercy, who is a beautiful and an outgoing third year student with multiple partners. She has devised mechanisms of survival at the university. She is highly successful in her operations and seeks to lure parents Betty.
Will Betty succumbed to Mercy’s peer pressure to exploit God’s gift.
A PLAY BY
Akech Obat – Masira
Director
Misango Arts Ensemble
Kisumu (Kenya)
Email: obatmasira@yahoo.com
Tel: 254726164954
“THE MELTING CHOCOLATE”
CHARACTERS
Baba (Betty’s Father) – Fredrick Obondi Owiti
Mama (Betty’s Mother) – Susan Awino
Betty (A University Student) – Pamela Kadali
Frank (A Sugar Daddy) – Philip Osula
Mercy (Betty’s Friend) – Mercy Atieno
Doctor Ben (Mercy’s Doctor) – Obat Masira
Doctor Jack (Vct Doctor) – Victor Otieno
Place Here
Time Now
Written And Directed By Akech Obat-Masira
Commissioned By East African Community / AMREF
Presented During The Launch Of East African Community/ AMREF Partnership On Lake Victoria
On The 4th September 2007 at the Tom Mboya Labour College Kisumu - Kenya
“THE MELTING CHOCOLATE”
BY
AKECH OBAT MASIRA
Scene One
(Sitting room. A man is reading a letter. He seems excited with its content. He calls his wife who is busy in the kitchen)
BABA : (Excitedly) Mama Betty! Are you there?
MAMA: Yes, Baba Betty. I am preparing your evening tea.
BABA : The tea can wait. Come here at once!
MAMA: (Surprised) Baba Betty, what is the emergency? Tea is almost ready (complaining).
BABA : (Firmly) You heard my voice loud and clear. Are you coming or not?
MAMA: Yes, coming my dear husband (she sits down attentively)
BABA : (Happily) Mama Betty (laughing). Good news. Good news!
MAMA: (Surprised) Good news from where?
BABA : From across the borders
MAMA: (Perplexed). What do you mean across the borders?
BABA : Our daughter Betty has been selected to join prestigious regional university. The University of East
African Community. (Proudly) What a fortune!
MAMA: Oh my God! What good fortune! The place is far away. Away from our sight and protection.
Remember Baba Betty, she is only eighteen years old.
BABA : Remember at 18, Betty is already of age. Call her.
MAMA : Betty………Betty…..
SCENE I ACT 2
[Father calling loudly]
BABA : (Laughs proudly) I need my beloved daughter right here (pointing) she must sit next to me.
BETTY: Baba you called me?
BABA : Yes, Betty my precious come here, sit next to me and listen………….
BETTY : Yes Baba (as she sits)
BABA : (Proudly) I have good news for you my bright daughter. You have been selected to join the East
African Community University in a neighbouring country.
BETTY: (Happily) O My O My... Baba I can’t believe it. When am I supposed to go?
BABA : You are supposed to depart in 1 month’s time from now. But before then you must get a passport
and a student visa. There is enough money for your tuition but we need enough money for your
accommodation and upkeep.
BETTY: Does the university not provide accommodation?
BABA : Well In the past it was so. But now due to increased student population the hostels are inadequate.
BETTY: Then where will I stay Baba?
BABA : You will stay where other students stay.
MAMA: Is it safe?
BABA : I don’t know. But I hope it is safe, our daughter Betty is intelligent and responsible. She will find a
way. Betty good night
BETTY : Baba thank you for the good news. I will do my best, my parents. Good night
SCENE TWO
ACT I
[Bus stage scene – Both parents bidding daughter farewell]
MAMA: (Hugging Betty intimately, offer caution). My daughter Betty, be careful where you are going. The
world outside there has many ills……..you are a woman……. A young girl………. and remember
there are men outside there with ill motives……… be careful… (Betty moves into the bus and
talks to mother from bus side window)
BETTY: Trust me mother… I’ll not let you down….. (She says waving to her mother as the bus zooms
away)
ACT II
(In the bus, seated next to Betty is a superannuated philanderer “Sugar daddy” with itchy hands, raving eyes for pretty young women. Rich and idle has become his hobby to stalk any vulnerable student traveling alone from one state to another within the region.)
(Sitting next to Betty, Frank the itinerant “Sugar daddy attempts to strike a conversation with Betty to ensnare her to his furtive plot”)
(Fishing a pack of chocolates from his pockets, eats a bit and sighs with delight)
FRANK : ….. Uummm so nice… o my young lady why don’t you have a bite?
BETTY : Sorry sir, I am alright.
FRANK : Come on, come on my bright young lady…. don’t be a sissy…. We’re here to
enjoy life (laughs) and the better when young and beautiful.
BETTY : (Not interested) Please I am not that type
FRANK : (Surprised) Oh! And you’re so charmingly beautiful, so enchanting, so
angelic…and you are afraid of only sweet succulent, melting chocolate…… MELTING CHOCOLATE
(Laughs). And can’t you see you’re chocolate complexion, ebony black eyes…and
look (touches) at beautiful hair…. I haven’t come across anything like it within the
East African Community region…. (Laughs). You’re an angel.
BETTY : (Smiling) Mmmh, that’s some piece of flattery indeed (laughs). You sound like
Romeo flattering Juliet in the balcony.
FRANK : (Surprised but moved) O sweet heart. So you have a voice? Who better can
compete a song bird? (laughs). May I have the pleasure of knowing who my
nightingale is? (both laugh) (Frank touches Betty’s hand softly)
BETTY : (Happily) I am Betty….
FRANK : (Proudly) I’m Frank… better known as Frankie by my best pals. As Frank I want to
be Frank with you. Do you accept that my dearest? (Laughing)
BETTY : (Smiling) Yes, but I am a new student joining the East African Community
University.
FRANK : Are you from this country?
BETTY : No.
FRANK : (Shout in triumph) Bingo! Bingo! That is it, my beauty.
BETTY : (A little taken aback) what is all the fuss?
FRANK : I cannot wait to tell you (laughs)
BETTY : (Surprised) Tell me what?
FRANK: Tell you what? Can’t you guess? You’ve hit the jackpot! (Laughs)
BETTY: I don’t understand has the Bus arrived at its destination? But there is no sign (looks) of a
University around here.
FRANK: Calm down…. Calm down young lady… that’s a non issue… (smile) you are in
very good hands.
BETTY: What do you mean? It’s late and you are saying I’m in safe hands. Where am I going to stay?
FRANK: It is a simple fate. I’m a simple man and yet the richest in the region. And can you
believe it? This bus on which you travel is my bus. The taxis (smiling) in this park which can take
you anywhere are my taxis, the hotels and restaurants hereabouts belong to me including the
apartments offering accommodation to almost 80% of all students in that institution (proudly).
No…no…. I’m not boasting….not at all….but I can host you like a queen (touches Betty’s
cheeks while laughing)…with everything for the house….and just remember this. If you are good
to me, I’ll be good to you (sings) indeed very good.
BETTY: (Laughs) You can’t be serious…..
FRANK: (Proudly) This is the truth and the real truth from the horse’s own mouth.
BETTY: (Smiles) It is ok….It’s ok… I want to go to the University NOW! (Firmly)
FRANK: (Concerned) It’s past mid night. You’ve not been booked in any hotel as far as I may
guess (smiles) I will take you to my private apartment. Betty I can help you. Can’t
you see you are lonely?
BETTY: And how, if I may know?
FRANK: (Removing a bundle of bank notes from his pocket). I know maybe you have no money.
Take this (handing to her the bank notes equivalent of US Dollars 150) Here take 150 US
dollars my dearest Betty.
BETTY: (Shocked) No…No…what is this for?
FRANK: (Laughs) Of course service rendered. You’re pretty, sexy and desirable…very
desirable…and this cash is handy for your future comforts…take it and let me drive you to one
of my hotels.
BETTY: (Firmly) No….what? Do think I’m one of these loose women around who can be
bought like a commodity. Do I look (pointing) to you like a common prostitute? Remember I
am a student! (Firmly)
FRANK: (Surprised) Take it my angel and let me show you the paradise. It takes two to tango.
BETTY: (A little angry and her face creased). No…no…. I don’t need your money! AM NOT A HAG.
FRANK: (Looking at this emphatic rejection - annoyed). This rebellious attitude can take
you nowhere young lady. Everything hereabouts belongs to me. Who will
accommodate you without my help?.....who will feed you if I put my feet down?
You will stay in the slums like those foolish foreign students.
BETTY: (Firmly) You’re fit to be my grandfather….why are you doing this to me? I came here to seek for
Knowledge and not comfort. You ought to be my mentor, my guardian. NOT MY LOVER!
FRANK: Betty I am giving you the last opportunity to think about this proposal. Otherwise your education
here will be miserable.
BETTY: (Annoyed) No…and…no…and no…my education is all I care for…. Not You! Goodbye.
(EXITS)
FRANK: (Furious) Damn you…damn you…you’ll see fire in this country. (Sarcastically) BYE. (Drives his
new limousine away)
(Betty finds company alongside a group of business women and spends the rest of the night at Bus Park. At dawn she finds her way to the University, registers and when it came to accommodation, was told she was to look for by herself. At this point, she was reminded of Frank’s warning, but her resolve not to be corrupted by promise of luxury remain firm as a rock)
SCENE III
(Three months later since Betty joined the University. She is now happy and has made friends. She could not find a decent accommodation therefore she was forced to stay in the slums within the neighbourhood of the University. Betty meets her former schoolmate and a friend within the university. Her friend is known as Mercy an outgoing third year student.)
MERCY: (Excitedly) Betty my old friend and school mate. When did you join the campus?
BETTY: (Smiles) Oh Mercy my dear friend. I’ve been here for the last three months. I’ve really suffered a
great deal. Just imagine I’m staying in the slums! God forbid!
MERCY: Oh Betty my dear have you eyes to see? Brain to think? Look at me critically. We are well off
even if we are students (pointing her) Simply because we make good use of our beautiful
bodies. (Laughs) Betty ech.. (Swaggers alit bit)
BETTY: (Surprised) what do you mean?
MERCY: This is a strange world. A world of men. A world of the rich people. We only benefit
through association with them. All my costs (proud) are catered for by different men.
This is the order for survival here. You still have more than 2 years to go. Open your
eyes widely. Make the hay while it shines.
BETTY: I still don’t understand, Mercy
MERCY: You will understand soon. We women are gifted. Let us exploit our gifts of nature constructively.
God’s gift. (Laughs). We hardly read yet we pass our exams with flying colours.
BETTY: How is this possible? (Surprised)
MERCY: You see I am a very busy person I have to attend to all my partners. In order to get all my needs
(proudly) catered for. I don’t have time to study or do assignments. (Smiles)
BETTY: (Surprised) Then how do you pass your exams with flying colours?
MERCY: (Proudly) I keep a boyfriend in the class who does all the assignments for me I am also nice to all
My male lecturers. (Smiling). If you associate with male lecturers you will pass with flying
colours. Betty do you now understand? (smiles)
BETTY: (Shocked) What a sad world….oh my God! A world without ethics! A world of manipulation!
SCENE FOUR
1 year later Betty in University
A year later, Betty is still focused and active in student activities. She is a well liked student peer leader.
Mercy has been sick…and repeatedly treated for malaria and typhoid. She has lost weight and does not look so well. She no longer has the money to be treated in private clinics in town.
Betty gets to hear that Mercy has not been well and is admitted at the university clinic.
BETTY: (With sympathy) Pole sana my friend Mercy. What is the problem? (Surprised) you look so weak.
MERCY: (Struggling to talk) I don’t know what is happening to me. I feel sick. They treated me for
malaria and typhoid but I’m not improving. I don’t feel comfortable with services here. (Refering
to the University clinic)
BETTY: What is wrong with the clinic here?
MERCY: Since I was admitted 3 weeks ago I only saw the doctor two times. And each time I was told there
are no laboratory reagents. If they prescribe drugs I have to find money to go and buy them in town.
And the nurse (sarcastically) my God!
BETTY: My goodness. Can’t the university do better than this? (Surprised) I must go and talk to the
University Medical Officer. (Smiling) Here I brought you some juice and fruits. I am sorry I don’t have much (Mercy drinks her juice)
(Betty meets the nurse in charge who makes unsavory remarks about Mercy and refers Betty to the University Medical Officer)
BETTY: Good morning doctor. I have come to see you about my friend Mercy, who seems to be
very sick.
DOCTOR BEN: Oh that one. There is nothing much we can do to her at the University clinic. It would be
better if she could go for HIV test somewhere else where better care can be given.
BETTY: How sad for my friend. Can she at least get counselling before we go for HIV test?
DOCTOR BEN: Yes. We can only arrange for her to get counseled here at this clinic. For the rest she has to
go elsewhere.
(Betty convinces Mercy to accept the voluntary counseling for HIV at the University clinic and accepts to go for HIV test. She tests HIV positive but with help from Betty and other friends she picks courage)
(Mercy and Betty are talking. Mercy decides to live positively with her disease. Betty vows to fight for better and more comprehensive health services at the university)
SCENE FIVE
Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre VCT is conducted in the presence of Mercy.
DOCTOR JACK: Am Doctor Jack. And what’s your name?
MERCY : Am Mercy.
DOCTOR JACK: Welcome Mercy. How are you? Please take a sit here. (Mercy sits down opposite the
doctor)
MERCY : Thank you doctor.
DOCTOR JACK : Could you tell me more about yourself?
MERCY : I am a third year student at East African Community University. I have been ailing for the last one month. This has affected my academic performances of late. At the University clinic they have been treating malaria and typhoid. I was therefore told to come and do a test for HIV here.
DOCTOR JACK : That’s good Mercy. Are you ready for the test?
(The doctor then takes the blood sample and mix with other lab reagents. Meanwhile Mercy is keenly observing the testing process)
DOCTOR JACK : Can you see this red mark?
MERCY : Yes, doctor I can see it.
DOCTOR JACK : Mercy I’m sorry the results of the test is positive.
MERCY : What?
DOCTOR JACK : The results is positive.
MERCY : (Breaks down wailing). How will I face the family with this sad news. (She fells down
crying. Betty storms the doctor’s clinic to find out why Mercy is crying.)
BETTY : Mercy my friend please calm down. This is not the end of the world.
MERCY : (Crying) I was cheated! I cheated myself. I misused my body because of short lived
comfort (crying) I swallowed the MELTING CHOCOLATE Betty. Oh! My.
BETTY : It does not mean that if you are HIV positive you have AIDS. You can still live longer
even for 15 years. There are antiretroviral drugs provided free to prolong life by
government.
MERCY : Betty really? (Calming down)
BETTY : Mercy (smiling) yes why not? Mercy let’s use our energy to fight the HIV / AIDS scourge.
MERCY : (Comforted) Betty… I feel relieved. Let’s fight the HIV pandemic.
BETTY : Mercy your encounter with the staff of the university clinic has provoked me to fight for
comprehensive health services at the University. We will also invite you to give talks to
fellow students. In school you were the best artist. Why don’t you use your art for behavioural
change in the fight against the pandemic
MERCY : (Smiling) Yes Betty, drama is the most powerful social tool for behavioural change. Once I
recover I’ll be at the centre of HIV / AIDS drama performances in and out of the University. I
have decided to live positively. I will give testimonies about my life at the University.
BETTY : (Smiling) My friend we have a responsibility to our generation. Let’s talk openly about HIV /
AIDS scourge.
MERCY : Let’s talk openly about HIV / AIDS (smiling) together let’s fight AIDS.
(LUTTAYA’S AIDS SONG. DANCING AND CELEBRATIONS)
END
THE LAUNCH
The East African Community /AMREF
Partnership for Lake Victoria
THE SYNOPSIS
THE TITLE: THE MELTING CHOCOLATE
BY AKECH OBAT MASIRA
This is a story of Betty. A young university industrious, brilliant and committed university student pursuing her degree course at the prestigious University.
The East African Community University based within the region.
During her college life, she meets many challenges in life. These challenges therefore provoke and stimulate her to critically examine the university ways of life and how best these very problems could be amicably addressed. She starts to champion the cause of university students, particularly in the provision of inadequate health services at the institution because of the increased student population.
Her former high schoolmate Mercy, who is a beautiful and an outgoing third year student with multiple partners. She has devised mechanisms of survival at the university. She is highly successful in her operations and seeks to lure parents Betty.
Will Betty succumbed to Mercy’s peer pressure to exploit God’s gift.
A PLAY BY
Akech Obat – Masira
Director
Misango Arts Ensemble
Kisumu (Kenya)
Email: obatmasira@yahoo.com
Tel: 254726164954
“THE MELTING CHOCOLATE”
CHARACTERS
Baba (Betty’s Father) – Fredrick Obondi Owiti
Mama (Betty’s Mother) – Susan Awino
Betty (A University Student) – Pamela Kadali
Frank (A Sugar Daddy) – Philip Osula
Mercy (Betty’s Friend) – Mercy Atieno
Doctor Ben (Mercy’s Doctor) – Obat Masira
Doctor Jack (Vct Doctor) – Victor Otieno
Place Here
Time Now
Written And Directed By Akech Obat-Masira
Commissioned By East African Community / AMREF
Presented During The Launch Of East African Community/ AMREF Partnership On Lake Victoria
On The 4th September 2007 at the Tom Mboya Labour College Kisumu - Kenya
“THE MELTING CHOCOLATE”
BY
AKECH OBAT MASIRA
Scene One
(Sitting room. A man is reading a letter. He seems excited with its content. He calls his wife who is busy in the kitchen)
BABA : (Excitedly) Mama Betty! Are you there?
MAMA: Yes, Baba Betty. I am preparing your evening tea.
BABA : The tea can wait. Come here at once!
MAMA: (Surprised) Baba Betty, what is the emergency? Tea is almost ready (complaining).
BABA : (Firmly) You heard my voice loud and clear. Are you coming or not?
MAMA: Yes, coming my dear husband (she sits down attentively)
BABA : (Happily) Mama Betty (laughing). Good news. Good news!
MAMA: (Surprised) Good news from where?
BABA : From across the borders
MAMA: (Perplexed). What do you mean across the borders?
BABA : Our daughter Betty has been selected to join prestigious regional university. The University of East
African Community. (Proudly) What a fortune!
MAMA: Oh my God! What good fortune! The place is far away. Away from our sight and protection.
Remember Baba Betty, she is only eighteen years old.
BABA : Remember at 18, Betty is already of age. Call her.
MAMA : Betty………Betty…..
SCENE I ACT 2
[Father calling loudly]
BABA : (Laughs proudly) I need my beloved daughter right here (pointing) she must sit next to me.
BETTY: Baba you called me?
BABA : Yes, Betty my precious come here, sit next to me and listen………….
BETTY : Yes Baba (as she sits)
BABA : (Proudly) I have good news for you my bright daughter. You have been selected to join the East
African Community University in a neighbouring country.
BETTY: (Happily) O My O My... Baba I can’t believe it. When am I supposed to go?
BABA : You are supposed to depart in 1 month’s time from now. But before then you must get a passport
and a student visa. There is enough money for your tuition but we need enough money for your
accommodation and upkeep.
BETTY: Does the university not provide accommodation?
BABA : Well In the past it was so. But now due to increased student population the hostels are inadequate.
BETTY: Then where will I stay Baba?
BABA : You will stay where other students stay.
MAMA: Is it safe?
BABA : I don’t know. But I hope it is safe, our daughter Betty is intelligent and responsible. She will find a
way. Betty good night
BETTY : Baba thank you for the good news. I will do my best, my parents. Good night
SCENE TWO
ACT I
[Bus stage scene – Both parents bidding daughter farewell]
MAMA: (Hugging Betty intimately, offer caution). My daughter Betty, be careful where you are going. The
world outside there has many ills……..you are a woman……. A young girl………. and remember
there are men outside there with ill motives……… be careful… (Betty moves into the bus and
talks to mother from bus side window)
BETTY: Trust me mother… I’ll not let you down….. (She says waving to her mother as the bus zooms
away)
ACT II
(In the bus, seated next to Betty is a superannuated philanderer “Sugar daddy” with itchy hands, raving eyes for pretty young women. Rich and idle has become his hobby to stalk any vulnerable student traveling alone from one state to another within the region.)
(Sitting next to Betty, Frank the itinerant “Sugar daddy attempts to strike a conversation with Betty to ensnare her to his furtive plot”)
(Fishing a pack of chocolates from his pockets, eats a bit and sighs with delight)
FRANK : ….. Uummm so nice… o my young lady why don’t you have a bite?
BETTY : Sorry sir, I am alright.
FRANK : Come on, come on my bright young lady…. don’t be a sissy…. We’re here to
enjoy life (laughs) and the better when young and beautiful.
BETTY : (Not interested) Please I am not that type
FRANK : (Surprised) Oh! And you’re so charmingly beautiful, so enchanting, so
angelic…and you are afraid of only sweet succulent, melting chocolate…… MELTING CHOCOLATE
(Laughs). And can’t you see you’re chocolate complexion, ebony black eyes…and
look (touches) at beautiful hair…. I haven’t come across anything like it within the
East African Community region…. (Laughs). You’re an angel.
BETTY : (Smiling) Mmmh, that’s some piece of flattery indeed (laughs). You sound like
Romeo flattering Juliet in the balcony.
FRANK : (Surprised but moved) O sweet heart. So you have a voice? Who better can
compete a song bird? (laughs). May I have the pleasure of knowing who my
nightingale is? (both laugh) (Frank touches Betty’s hand softly)
BETTY : (Happily) I am Betty….
FRANK : (Proudly) I’m Frank… better known as Frankie by my best pals. As Frank I want to
be Frank with you. Do you accept that my dearest? (Laughing)
BETTY : (Smiling) Yes, but I am a new student joining the East African Community
University.
FRANK : Are you from this country?
BETTY : No.
FRANK : (Shout in triumph) Bingo! Bingo! That is it, my beauty.
BETTY : (A little taken aback) what is all the fuss?
FRANK : I cannot wait to tell you (laughs)
BETTY : (Surprised) Tell me what?
FRANK: Tell you what? Can’t you guess? You’ve hit the jackpot! (Laughs)
BETTY: I don’t understand has the Bus arrived at its destination? But there is no sign (looks) of a
University around here.
FRANK: Calm down…. Calm down young lady… that’s a non issue… (smile) you are in
very good hands.
BETTY: What do you mean? It’s late and you are saying I’m in safe hands. Where am I going to stay?
FRANK: It is a simple fate. I’m a simple man and yet the richest in the region. And can you
believe it? This bus on which you travel is my bus. The taxis (smiling) in this park which can take
you anywhere are my taxis, the hotels and restaurants hereabouts belong to me including the
apartments offering accommodation to almost 80% of all students in that institution (proudly).
No…no…. I’m not boasting….not at all….but I can host you like a queen (touches Betty’s
cheeks while laughing)…with everything for the house….and just remember this. If you are good
to me, I’ll be good to you (sings) indeed very good.
BETTY: (Laughs) You can’t be serious…..
FRANK: (Proudly) This is the truth and the real truth from the horse’s own mouth.
BETTY: (Smiles) It is ok….It’s ok… I want to go to the University NOW! (Firmly)
FRANK: (Concerned) It’s past mid night. You’ve not been booked in any hotel as far as I may
guess (smiles) I will take you to my private apartment. Betty I can help you. Can’t
you see you are lonely?
BETTY: And how, if I may know?
FRANK: (Removing a bundle of bank notes from his pocket). I know maybe you have no money.
Take this (handing to her the bank notes equivalent of US Dollars 150) Here take 150 US
dollars my dearest Betty.
BETTY: (Shocked) No…No…what is this for?
FRANK: (Laughs) Of course service rendered. You’re pretty, sexy and desirable…very
desirable…and this cash is handy for your future comforts…take it and let me drive you to one
of my hotels.
BETTY: (Firmly) No….what? Do think I’m one of these loose women around who can be
bought like a commodity. Do I look (pointing) to you like a common prostitute? Remember I
am a student! (Firmly)
FRANK: (Surprised) Take it my angel and let me show you the paradise. It takes two to tango.
BETTY: (A little angry and her face creased). No…no…. I don’t need your money! AM NOT A HAG.
FRANK: (Looking at this emphatic rejection - annoyed). This rebellious attitude can take
you nowhere young lady. Everything hereabouts belongs to me. Who will
accommodate you without my help?.....who will feed you if I put my feet down?
You will stay in the slums like those foolish foreign students.
BETTY: (Firmly) You’re fit to be my grandfather….why are you doing this to me? I came here to seek for
Knowledge and not comfort. You ought to be my mentor, my guardian. NOT MY LOVER!
FRANK: Betty I am giving you the last opportunity to think about this proposal. Otherwise your education
here will be miserable.
BETTY: (Annoyed) No…and…no…and no…my education is all I care for…. Not You! Goodbye.
(EXITS)
FRANK: (Furious) Damn you…damn you…you’ll see fire in this country. (Sarcastically) BYE. (Drives his
new limousine away)
(Betty finds company alongside a group of business women and spends the rest of the night at Bus Park. At dawn she finds her way to the University, registers and when it came to accommodation, was told she was to look for by herself. At this point, she was reminded of Frank’s warning, but her resolve not to be corrupted by promise of luxury remain firm as a rock)
SCENE III
(Three months later since Betty joined the University. She is now happy and has made friends. She could not find a decent accommodation therefore she was forced to stay in the slums within the neighbourhood of the University. Betty meets her former schoolmate and a friend within the university. Her friend is known as Mercy an outgoing third year student.)
MERCY: (Excitedly) Betty my old friend and school mate. When did you join the campus?
BETTY: (Smiles) Oh Mercy my dear friend. I’ve been here for the last three months. I’ve really suffered a
great deal. Just imagine I’m staying in the slums! God forbid!
MERCY: Oh Betty my dear have you eyes to see? Brain to think? Look at me critically. We are well off
even if we are students (pointing her) Simply because we make good use of our beautiful
bodies. (Laughs) Betty ech.. (Swaggers alit bit)
BETTY: (Surprised) what do you mean?
MERCY: This is a strange world. A world of men. A world of the rich people. We only benefit
through association with them. All my costs (proud) are catered for by different men.
This is the order for survival here. You still have more than 2 years to go. Open your
eyes widely. Make the hay while it shines.
BETTY: I still don’t understand, Mercy
MERCY: You will understand soon. We women are gifted. Let us exploit our gifts of nature constructively.
God’s gift. (Laughs). We hardly read yet we pass our exams with flying colours.
BETTY: How is this possible? (Surprised)
MERCY: You see I am a very busy person I have to attend to all my partners. In order to get all my needs
(proudly) catered for. I don’t have time to study or do assignments. (Smiles)
BETTY: (Surprised) Then how do you pass your exams with flying colours?
MERCY: (Proudly) I keep a boyfriend in the class who does all the assignments for me I am also nice to all
My male lecturers. (Smiling). If you associate with male lecturers you will pass with flying
colours. Betty do you now understand? (smiles)
BETTY: (Shocked) What a sad world….oh my God! A world without ethics! A world of manipulation!
SCENE FOUR
1 year later Betty in University
A year later, Betty is still focused and active in student activities. She is a well liked student peer leader.
Mercy has been sick…and repeatedly treated for malaria and typhoid. She has lost weight and does not look so well. She no longer has the money to be treated in private clinics in town.
Betty gets to hear that Mercy has not been well and is admitted at the university clinic.
BETTY: (With sympathy) Pole sana my friend Mercy. What is the problem? (Surprised) you look so weak.
MERCY: (Struggling to talk) I don’t know what is happening to me. I feel sick. They treated me for
malaria and typhoid but I’m not improving. I don’t feel comfortable with services here. (Refering
to the University clinic)
BETTY: What is wrong with the clinic here?
MERCY: Since I was admitted 3 weeks ago I only saw the doctor two times. And each time I was told there
are no laboratory reagents. If they prescribe drugs I have to find money to go and buy them in town.
And the nurse (sarcastically) my God!
BETTY: My goodness. Can’t the university do better than this? (Surprised) I must go and talk to the
University Medical Officer. (Smiling) Here I brought you some juice and fruits. I am sorry I don’t have much (Mercy drinks her juice)
(Betty meets the nurse in charge who makes unsavory remarks about Mercy and refers Betty to the University Medical Officer)
BETTY: Good morning doctor. I have come to see you about my friend Mercy, who seems to be
very sick.
DOCTOR BEN: Oh that one. There is nothing much we can do to her at the University clinic. It would be
better if she could go for HIV test somewhere else where better care can be given.
BETTY: How sad for my friend. Can she at least get counselling before we go for HIV test?
DOCTOR BEN: Yes. We can only arrange for her to get counseled here at this clinic. For the rest she has to
go elsewhere.
(Betty convinces Mercy to accept the voluntary counseling for HIV at the University clinic and accepts to go for HIV test. She tests HIV positive but with help from Betty and other friends she picks courage)
(Mercy and Betty are talking. Mercy decides to live positively with her disease. Betty vows to fight for better and more comprehensive health services at the university)
SCENE FIVE
Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre VCT is conducted in the presence of Mercy.
DOCTOR JACK: Am Doctor Jack. And what’s your name?
MERCY : Am Mercy.
DOCTOR JACK: Welcome Mercy. How are you? Please take a sit here. (Mercy sits down opposite the
doctor)
MERCY : Thank you doctor.
DOCTOR JACK : Could you tell me more about yourself?
MERCY : I am a third year student at East African Community University. I have been ailing for the last one month. This has affected my academic performances of late. At the University clinic they have been treating malaria and typhoid. I was therefore told to come and do a test for HIV here.
DOCTOR JACK : That’s good Mercy. Are you ready for the test?
(The doctor then takes the blood sample and mix with other lab reagents. Meanwhile Mercy is keenly observing the testing process)
DOCTOR JACK : Can you see this red mark?
MERCY : Yes, doctor I can see it.
DOCTOR JACK : Mercy I’m sorry the results of the test is positive.
MERCY : What?
DOCTOR JACK : The results is positive.
MERCY : (Breaks down wailing). How will I face the family with this sad news. (She fells down
crying. Betty storms the doctor’s clinic to find out why Mercy is crying.)
BETTY : Mercy my friend please calm down. This is not the end of the world.
MERCY : (Crying) I was cheated! I cheated myself. I misused my body because of short lived
comfort (crying) I swallowed the MELTING CHOCOLATE Betty. Oh! My.
BETTY : It does not mean that if you are HIV positive you have AIDS. You can still live longer
even for 15 years. There are antiretroviral drugs provided free to prolong life by
government.
MERCY : Betty really? (Calming down)
BETTY : Mercy (smiling) yes why not? Mercy let’s use our energy to fight the HIV / AIDS scourge.
MERCY : (Comforted) Betty… I feel relieved. Let’s fight the HIV pandemic.
BETTY : Mercy your encounter with the staff of the university clinic has provoked me to fight for
comprehensive health services at the University. We will also invite you to give talks to
fellow students. In school you were the best artist. Why don’t you use your art for behavioural
change in the fight against the pandemic
MERCY : (Smiling) Yes Betty, drama is the most powerful social tool for behavioural change. Once I
recover I’ll be at the centre of HIV / AIDS drama performances in and out of the University. I
have decided to live positively. I will give testimonies about my life at the University.
BETTY : (Smiling) My friend we have a responsibility to our generation. Let’s talk openly about HIV /
AIDS scourge.
MERCY : Let’s talk openly about HIV / AIDS (smiling) together let’s fight AIDS.
(LUTTAYA’S AIDS SONG. DANCING AND CELEBRATIONS)
END
SYNOPSES 2
PLAY: DR. KIDI – STONE OR SIMPLY THE ART OF DYING
By Oloo Nyamwaya.
This is a story of how some doctors play Russian roulette with their patients by harvesting human organs. As mercy killing negates God’s plan. PASCAL OJOK (LEONARD AKWANYI / JACK OMONDI) is a patient suffering from Manic Depressive Psychosis, a condition that has caused him great “psychological pain” over the years, his personal physician the Marverick Dr. KIDI STONE (CLIF ARAN / HANNINGTONE OSESE) prescribe for him euthanasia as away of solving the problem permanently. Dr. KIDI STONE further convinces him that his death be televised LIVE as a way of sensitising the public to the merits of euthanasia so that it could be legalised. But unknown to PASCAL OJOK (LENARD AKANYI / JACK OMONDI). Dr. KIDI STONE has a lot more up his sleeves ….
Other main characters are: -
Maximila – (Dorothy Awino / Dorah Oloo / Regina Akinyi)
Sister Agatha (Anne Akello / Maureen Samba)
Amos Mulli (Jacktone Hamisi/Tiberius Otieno)
Policeman – (Victor Otieno / Thomas Odero)
All plays are produced and directed by
Akech Obat Masira
By Oloo Nyamwaya.
This is a story of how some doctors play Russian roulette with their patients by harvesting human organs. As mercy killing negates God’s plan. PASCAL OJOK (LEONARD AKWANYI / JACK OMONDI) is a patient suffering from Manic Depressive Psychosis, a condition that has caused him great “psychological pain” over the years, his personal physician the Marverick Dr. KIDI STONE (CLIF ARAN / HANNINGTONE OSESE) prescribe for him euthanasia as away of solving the problem permanently. Dr. KIDI STONE further convinces him that his death be televised LIVE as a way of sensitising the public to the merits of euthanasia so that it could be legalised. But unknown to PASCAL OJOK (LENARD AKANYI / JACK OMONDI). Dr. KIDI STONE has a lot more up his sleeves ….
Other main characters are: -
Maximila – (Dorothy Awino / Dorah Oloo / Regina Akinyi)
Sister Agatha (Anne Akello / Maureen Samba)
Amos Mulli (Jacktone Hamisi/Tiberius Otieno)
Policeman – (Victor Otieno / Thomas Odero)
All plays are produced and directed by
Akech Obat Masira
MISANGO ARTS ENSEMBLE PRESENTS
THE WEB OF LOVE ©
A radio soap opera
By
Oloo Nyamwaya & Obat Masira
EPISODE 1. P1/001/05
SYNOPSIS
Akinyi and Emma leave school late in the evening after attending an extra maths lesson. On their way home, Emma wants them to pass via Alex’s place. Alex is her new boyfriend. Akinyi, a chaste teenager keen on her studies, says no and tries in vain to dissuade Emma from the idea. She says it is risky for young girls like them to visit boys at such a late hour. In her mind she is thinking of the threat of rapists and HIV infections that is ever-present around them. She advises Emma that she needs to change her lifestyle and focus on her studies. But Emma’s hormones are raging and she turns a deaf ear to Akinyi’s counsel. She parts ways with Akinyi as she goes to visit Alex. Alex welcomes Emma into his cabin and is not in a hurry to release her.
Meanwhile, Akinyi reaches home to find her mother fuming with rage. Her son, Otieno, has pinched 300 shillings from her handbag. It’s all the money she got that day from her business selling second-hand clothes at Kibuye Market. Despite Akinyi’s plea that she should talk to Otieno first, she decides to call the police to teach him a lesson once and for all. Otieno, who had gone out of the house and has returned, slips out just as the police arrive. Will the police succeed in arresting him?
CHARACTERS
AKINYI – A 15 year old student.
EMMA – Her age mate and friend.
SARAH – Akinyi’s mother.
OTIENO (OTTI) – Akinyi’s elder brother.
TONY – Akinyi’s younger brother.
ALEX – Emma’s boyfriend and Otieno’s friend.
A radio soap opera
By
Oloo Nyamwaya & Obat Masira
EPISODE 1. P1/001/05
SYNOPSIS
Akinyi and Emma leave school late in the evening after attending an extra maths lesson. On their way home, Emma wants them to pass via Alex’s place. Alex is her new boyfriend. Akinyi, a chaste teenager keen on her studies, says no and tries in vain to dissuade Emma from the idea. She says it is risky for young girls like them to visit boys at such a late hour. In her mind she is thinking of the threat of rapists and HIV infections that is ever-present around them. She advises Emma that she needs to change her lifestyle and focus on her studies. But Emma’s hormones are raging and she turns a deaf ear to Akinyi’s counsel. She parts ways with Akinyi as she goes to visit Alex. Alex welcomes Emma into his cabin and is not in a hurry to release her.
Meanwhile, Akinyi reaches home to find her mother fuming with rage. Her son, Otieno, has pinched 300 shillings from her handbag. It’s all the money she got that day from her business selling second-hand clothes at Kibuye Market. Despite Akinyi’s plea that she should talk to Otieno first, she decides to call the police to teach him a lesson once and for all. Otieno, who had gone out of the house and has returned, slips out just as the police arrive. Will the police succeed in arresting him?
CHARACTERS
AKINYI – A 15 year old student.
EMMA – Her age mate and friend.
SARAH – Akinyi’s mother.
OTIENO (OTTI) – Akinyi’s elder brother.
TONY – Akinyi’s younger brother.
ALEX – Emma’s boyfriend and Otieno’s friend.
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