KCSE Paper 2
Using a tree diagram, calculate the probability of an
electricity outage after a rainy day in Nairobi. Take your time. (30 marks)
So I just woke up on a not-so-rainy Saturday morning and
with the burning desire to type this post went straight to my laptop. In fact
to be honest it's not raining at all. There's a possibility that the sun could
shine. There's this feeling that negotiations with the sun are going on well.
At least the troops of droplets have been called off today. Maybe waiting for
Nairobians to do their washing and then...hehemuhahah!
Anyway, there's no power. Thank God I opted to read a book
when I got to the house yesternight.
Remember I mentioned that I'm yet to make breakfast because
I headed straight to type this, yes? I had a dream. I was walking with someone
and we were discussing art. Weird, right? I get it. All my morning dreams are
weird. Not that the other middle of the night dreams are not, but the dreams
from 4/5 onwards are usually on another level altogether.
Like this one for instance. Soooo, as I was trying to
convince he/she (I won't tell) why worldclass art cannot become popular in
Kenya, an idea hit me. Just as I turned to open my mouth, I woke up.
Fortunately or unfortunately I still remember what I wanted to say.
I'm sharing this idea knowing that the possibility of it
being used by someone exists but is low. In fact to be honest I'm sharing it so
that someone runs with it. I'll later tell myself when I am 85 with ridges on
my wrinkled face that I changed the world when I was younger. This may already
be in play and I am not aware of it. If I was, I wouldn't bother typing this on
an empty stomach now, would I? Here it goes.
Why it is difficult for art to be nurtured at the grassroots
level (Braeburn, Makini, Riara and other groups of schools are not included
here for obvious reasons) is because it needs sponsors when a school has not yet
reached the point it calls itself a group. Almost the same as a company. Until
your TV station gets to that stage where it is a media group your views on
digital migration are not worth considering. Hihihi.
In Kenya, corporate sponsors who touch on art and artsy
themes do so with the intention of reaching an affluent class. Of course this
is not limited to Kenya so apply it to your country if you wish.
In most CSR projects however, there is always some school in
some far-flung corner of this country that had their roof repaired by staff in
branded caps and tshirts from either Total or Safaricom or Bidco (though Bidco
also give away oil. Maybe Safcom should consider airtime donation...jussaying).
These same roof/wall-building corporates sometimes hold art competitions. The
ones I can think of off the top of my head are Kiwi, Google (for their Doodle.
Should that be in caps?) and Safaricom some time back.
This is our key to incorporating professional guidance and
inculcating popular appreciation in the community especially to a young
generation that will impact the future. Ever heard of how Kenya's best and
finest artists (world-class by all definitions) came from one village? Most of
them did. I read it in the Sunday Nation about 3 years ago.
By now you have an idea where this is heading. Instead of
corporate X asking kids to send in their artwork via mail/email, they can contribute
to the process of art creation, albeit at a smaller scale. This is how it works
in my head.
Corporate X earmarks Maji Masuri Primary School for a
makeover. This includes digging of borehole, building of brick walls,
replacement of iron sheets used in roofing, donation of books and pencils and
chalk for the teachers and more. Note: just the chalk for the teachers.
Digging a borehole does not take a day. I'd like to believe
that. Within the period of this makeover, an art competition can be held. In
walks Martin Soi or Jackie Karuti the Third (that's her name on FB) or Nduta
Kariuki or (I'm not yet done showing off...or Janice).
During the one-month period of Project Makeover for Maji
Masuri, professional artists will guide these kids as they create artwork for
ze competition. Guide being the operative word.
On the day that the CEO of Corporate X shows up, cameras in
tow, staff in the background carrying mbaos and stuff, it should be pin-up day
for the kids as well. They should know the pressures of being in ADD and
transnighting to be ready for pinup when you could have done it weeks ago only
that you had more important drinks to finish. Hehehe!
Point is, they should get the concept of mounting artwork
but more importantly they should see Soi and think to themselves (or
herself-for that random weirdo Turkana girl in a Goth tshirt) that "I'd
like to be like this guy. Live off art."
Most definitely this pin-up will be seen by teachers,
parents, staff and ultimately documented for the world to see. In a small and
huge way, this will be the beginning of a generation that appreciates good art
and creative works in general-beyond dancing at wedding receptions.
There you have it! Now to check on my 3 chapos which have
been waiting in bated breathe. Ciao!
