The Birth of Wapi -Words & Pictures

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By Muki Garang

Folks i have been on a quest since 2002 trying in various attempts to figure out how this should work. By -this, i mean how WE the youth can be a part of National development.

Before  Maisha Yetu I worked extensively with the British Council Kenya- from February 2006 to July 2007, where I co-founded a program called WAPI (Words and Pictures). WAPI continues to provide a platform for exhibition of material from artists, including music, graffiti, poetry and dance.

Through WAPI, a large number of artists have found a platform to launch their careers, and have gone on to be successful entrepreneurs and artists in the public domain. The program ran monthly festivals actively in Nairobi, Dar-e-salaam, Kampala & Lagos.

I come from a school of thought where, provision of change for a better life is a necessity. Performance spaces that I create, sensitize the youth on key issues such as Human rights and H.I.V. Aids awareness.

Amongst the organizations both local and international that we have worked with are;

1. The British Coucil
2. Ghetto Radio 89.5fm
3. The French Cultural Centre
4. The Swiss Embassy
5. Ecofest
6. The Kenya Human Rights Commission
7. Kwani?

In order to facilitate young people’s contribution into National development, they need to be encouraged to exploit their talents.  It is my intention to  create spaces for integration of ideas between professionals and the youth.