Daystar students lighting a candle of hope to the community

It’s not every day we hear positive stories about Uni students doing something noble in and out of campus. But a group of Daystar University students is making a difference in their community by building and running a primary school through a student-run Community Based Organization (CBO). Daystar Uni students registered Lukenya Pillars of Transformation in 2009, making the CBO the first registered Community Based Organization in Machakos County.

Some students identified the need to have a public primary school in Lukenya, as most of the schools in the community were private and out of reach for most residents. “The school came about after we realized that there was a need. We approached one of the community members, Mama Mary Mulandi, and she was so generous as to donate two acres of land. Other community members donated ‘mabati’ and few things here and there so as we could put up temporary structures,” says Metrine Namalwa, currently the Executive Director of Lukenya Pillars of Transformation, and also a fourth year social work student. The school got its name – Daystar Mulandi School – as a result of the cooperation between students and Mama Mulandi. Several other partners have since then joined the cause including Waridi Flower Company -which contributed the one permanent structure-, AIESEC, Lukenya Getaway, Lukenya Motors, Simba Cement, ADCU among others. Check out the link below for more of the story:

SOCIAL MEDIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN SUPPORTING ‘KENYA NI KWETU’

SOCIAL MEDIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN SUPPORTING ‘KENYA NI KWETU’

The social media phenomenon has been increasingly catching up in Kenya, and especially when it

comes to leading to mass action. Besides the ‘spread the Love’ and the‘Kenyans for Kenya’ initiative,

the Kenya ni Kwetu love protest’ drew people from across the board together in a demonstration

initiated through social media.

The Kenya ni kwetu graffiti on a wall in Nairobi

The initiative was a call to Kenyans to help build a better country, especially by voting

leaders who uphold integrity. Most people and especially participants found out about the protest

through social media.

“I really enjoyed the love protest! I found out about it on Twitter -I'm following Boniface Mwangi. I

decided to go because I believe in what Mwangi stands for, and I think he is the best-thinking young

person in the public today. I always want to support young people who want to change this country,

but the educated youth who can articulate that don't have the guts and clarity that Boniface has.”

Said Dr. Wandia Njoya a lecturer at Daystar university.

Dr. Wandia Njoya during the protest

Although not everyone who heard about it participated, word for sure was out. “The social media was

majorly the platform used to promote this cause.

Boxes for burying the vultures during the protest.

That was one powerful peace demonstration and the social media did play an important role in it. I

actually found out through twitter.” said David Jerome, a university student, through face facebook.

As Jacque Ndinda a writer and a poet explained, the social media was actually the springboard to the

demonstrations.

“Social media provided them with a platform. The conversation that gave birth to the protest was

started on social media.”

As mentioned earlier, this was not a first. However, unlike the rest of the initiatives mentioned, the

‘Kenya ni  kwetu’ initiative managed to pull the middle class to the streets,  and  as some say, it may

have a futuristic  aspect to it.

“The middle class rarely has such courage to take part in a protest unless it’s about salaries. Next time

such a demo happens, I can only imagine it will be bigger.” Said Edwin Kuria, a creative designer. 

Participants of the Kenya ni Kwetu love protest in action

“I really hope that Boniface 

organizes more demonstrations

because this one gave us a

momentum, and it bound us

together. I think if we have more

demos, we will remind Kenyans

that the current leadership is rotten,

and we must vote the whole lot

out.” added Dr. Wandia Njoya.

Some however think that the status quo will not change. “Only independent and strong institutions will

help Kenya from power hungry leaders. These initiatives are just euphoric and will pass without

achieving much.” Said Geofrey Otieno.

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My Film experience as Assistant producer

 My Film experience!  

Wow! Where to start? This semester has been quite an experience for me in terms of film. Just to break it down more, will focus on the stages of production we’ve been through so far.

The development stage was quite a time because team Ameliorates dint were completely rock bottom. We had no story whatsoever; until one of us gave us a story idea that still needed reworking.

I volunteered to be part of the creative developing the story further. I was also to be assistant producer. This was a time of rediscovering myself and what I can do in the film industry, basically a time to get myself acquainted with the film making process and figuring out how this journey would be.

The pre- production stage was next. As assistant producer, I discovered that had to be involved through all stages and especially in making sure that everything ran smoothly. Together with the producer, we ensured that the locations manager had found locations on time. At times we went location scouting.

We consulted with the crew on the budget and what we would contribute as a team. In this stage, casting auditions were also held. We ensured that everything went well during casting.

I helped out in handling the crowd outside the audition room and later was involved in settling conflict with some of the crew members.

Script meeting were constantly held during this stage and was involved in its development initially before we settled on one person writing the final script.

During this stage, I discovered that it is important to finish doing a shooting schedule on time, since almost everyone in the crew and cast need it. The director of photography, director, locations manager and casting director all needed it.  The studio technician would also not give us equipment without it, and constantly followed the schedule later in giving us equipment later.

The challenge I faced in coming with a schedule was fixing the dates.  I was afraid of fixing dates that wouldn’t be followed. On this one I had to consult our main producer.

The journey has been long and finally we are currently on the production stage J as the assistant producer, I have basically been involved in ensuring that the crew is peaceful and working as a team. I also ensure that when we are shooting, the cast also feels at home and that everything is as it should be.

This may not be noticeable all the time but I do.

When we are shooting off campus, I ensure that we have a gate pass on time and that all runs smoothly. I have also at times helped in storage of equipment when we are shooting in campus. The main work however has been trouble shooting problems on set. Be in terms of handling the cast well, realizing there’s a problem with lighting, sticking to schedules or lifting the spirits of the cast and crew when that camera battery goes dead, or when we are still on set at 1 am. It may not be as visible but I believe I have made a difference being on set, be it in those small waysJ

The journey continues, and even though we are under pressure as time is running out, I am hoping for the best out of this wholesome film experience!

Margaret Muthee

You are a master piece!

Today, i feel inspired to share this peace that i wrote in  a bus from Athi-river to Nairobi....The

journey can be quite something:) Feel free to share your thoughts about the piece.

You are a masterpiece! - By Margaret Muthee


Know you are fine,
For the moon don’t make the stars shine...
Mountains don’t make rivers flow…
Light don’t make a day!

Know you are a masterpiece,
A daisy in his garden of roses…
You are his own!

So when they do menacingly mock, mourn at your being…
Know you are…
A master piece remember?

The value he – owner of the seas
Attaches to you is what matters
So when your patience they do try,
Do not sit down and cry!
Know you are…
You-are-above that!

You are an eagle that so high can fly,
Above the dark and clear blue sky,
So spread your wings…
New life begins.
When you realize-you are…   
You are a prince….son- daughter of a king!
Walk, talk, like one you represent…..

Is it greener on the other side: Exploring the lifestlyle of students living off campus!

At university level, students are free from their parents; and the administration has limited influence as to how they chose to live. As a result, some chose to live on campus while others choose to live off campus. We sought to delve deeper into the lifestyle of those living off campus at Daystar University, and discovered that cohabiting is a reality.

What are some of the reasons one would ask?

Financial

Most of the students that we spoke to admitted that one of the reasons is that it allows sharing of costs. Those who live together share expenses and therefore life becomes cheaper, and especially with the increased day to day cost of living.

Social peer pressure

The highest percentages of students are in their early twenties.  This is an age where most of them want to be associated with their peers. As freshmen, female students are often lured into thinking that life off campus, living with a guy is the ‘in thing’ in campus. Little do they know that at the beginning of another semester, their boyfriend will be out following another female fresh man. And the cycle continues.

Fun

Some students get into this kind of life knowing well that it is not serious. They are just in it for fun, or to make life more interesting. As one of the students we interviewed, they claim that life is too short and one has to spice it up by trying out different things.  Like him, many claim that at university level, they are finally free from their parents and therefore can try out anything they wish.

And the consequences are not without impact. As Abraham Lincoln once said, freedom is not the right to do what we want but what we ought. Is it really right to stay off campus so as you can cohabit, smoke and take drugs?

Another quote by Karen Pletcher’s states that freedom isn’t free, it cost a soldier a day. So the next time you are thinking of moving off campus simply because you want to be free, think of what this freedom will cost you.

The same students who agreed that cohabiting is not a big issue had this to say about some of its down falls.

Arguments/disagreements

Two people can never be the same and therefore at times, there are chances that arguments will arise on different things. As a result, break- ups occur. As one female student admits, when that happens life can be miserable.  The second year student argues that this really put her down as everyone knew about their relationship. She could not even face her friends who had advised her against moving in with the guy.

Drop in academic performance

Our social life affects other aspects of our life in one way or the other. When people who were in a relationship break up, other aspects of their lives are likely to be affected. For students at university level, their academic performance is what suffers the most.

I have given you just a tip of the ice berg. I am sure that you can think of even more repercussions. Feel free to share your thoughts.

The following are also interesting links that I found on the issue.

Links:

http://www.ecampustours.com/campuslife/livingonandoffcampus/livingoncampusvsoffcampus

http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1000601

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/campus-life/9870.html

http://www.daystar.ac.ke/

My weekend!

Hey people.

Again won't get tired to share my experieces ove the past weekend.  There is a feeling one gets, once they

just do i say, exhale? How i feel when i express my self through writing.

My weekend

It normally starts on friday...You see, friday is my free day! However, still have so much going outside

school...guess it shows my time to clear is fast approaching!

First stop

So on this weekend, my first stop is at Internews...My second home....Doing my third feature story and i

must say they are like family! On this particular friday, my mentor is taking me to the field to do a story 'out

of my comfort zone' that's Daystar....

Mission for the day

An awesome experiece it turns out to be...In between, i also learn that it's very important to book

appointments early if you want to carry out interviews, and its also important to confirm before starting out on

the mission...Am not letting the cat out of the bag on this one...All i can say, Internews is great!

Great night!

As the sun goes down, i have to attend Slam Afrika. This is a spoken word event that is hosted by our very

own Pepe Haze. I am honoured to be part this.



Interactions

I get to interact again with great poets of my day and even those of the older generation. Mama C's piece

especially blows my mind away!

It's title is detox and urges the youth to detatch themselves from drug abuse. Giving a brief history about how

she was born in the states though she's lived in Africa, the question that comes up is What is being African?

Is it clothes you wear, how you live talk or what....Something to ponder about!

It's great to catch up with other artists like Grand master Masese, Budha Blaze, Ngwatilo Wawiiyo and

wow...the list is endless!


Good to see the Kibera girls empowered throug spoken word.... As i walk out, i am privilenged to meet

people also from the media industry, former Daystarians .....I enjoyed Slam and the

Daystar Theatre Arts

performance....I enjoyed..Awesome night there...It was worth every second!

'SEEING BEAUTY IN WHAT MAY SEEM UGLY'

Inspiration through my lenses!



It's that time of the semester again when there is so much to do, leaving one confused about where to

start and especially if you've been procastinating. Am not one of those though! :)

However, ofcourse there is alot coming up with projects and all. At such a time, it's also good to unwind

especially after a hard day's work. For me, the place to find me is definately in the art events happening in

Daystar. Speak of the Daystar Theatre Arts spoken word event or even the International student that went

down yesterday.....Sure you can think of others.


Janette Inkz: Inspiring through words


At such events, you get to learn about what other people have been watching or listening to and if you

are into spoken word like me, got to learn about Janette Inkz.

At a moment like this when i need to unwind, been checking her out on you tube and i must say, am

impressed.


Speak of powerful spoken word and with positivity inspired by God. Amazing how we can all share

even our worst experiences. I especially love the pieces ' The truth without photo shop and 'I'll wait for

you.'




The following are some of the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igCj3jsbcqs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KQ9xG3yWfw