Good Night Kibera Launch

 

Since the 2007 post election violence, the slums of Kibera have been perceived as a place of danger, violence, extreme sadness and despair. But, 2011 is the time for Kibera to shine as one of the friendliest slums in Nairobi. 

A place where there is hope rather than despair, where happiness exists rather than sadness; a place where people can achieve their dreams regardless of economic or social status. In 2011, Goodnight Kibera will be showcasing over 12 months, a series of short films documenting the lives of the Kibera community. Goodnight Kibera symbolizes the beginning and end of each day in which individual residents of Kibera will guide us through their daily activities/lifestyle.

These will include people such as football players, local water vendors, matatu drivers/touts, local area and religious leaders, shoe shiners, activists, music producers and performing artists and many more. The aim of Goodnight Kibera is to show life in Kibera after the 2007 post election violence and how this has impacted on their present living status. Contrary to popular belief, the project will enable a positive light to shine on the Kibera community with a focus on the forthcoming general elections in 2012.

The 12 part series will merge together to provide an overall view of life in Kibera and Goodnight Kibera will focus on the following areas: * Political * Individual lifestyle * Music and performing arts * Religion * Equality These areas have been chosen particularly due to the ways in which they influence the development of the Kibera community. Each of the characters that will be shown in the Goodnight Kibera short stories will have a unique influence to the Kibera community, which will then be presented to the global community. 

Moreover, the characters that will be assisting in the production will have the opportunity to tell their story as they see it and be rewarded for their time. This reward will provide not only much needed income, but also greater representation as a citizen in the global community rather than an individual living in the slums. In producing these short stories, everything that will assist in the production will be taken from the Kibera community. This includes: manpower, music, location and their original ideas. Overall, it is hoped that Goodnight Kibera short stories will demonstrate that in spite of all that has happened or been said since the post election violence, the Kibera community still continues to flourish and that the future belongs to those who dare to dream. Goodnight ndio riddim – the new greeting in Kibera town!"