Irene Khan - Secretary General - Amnesty International
I have been told dozens of stories about violent protests since I arrived in Kenya. Today’s rally was not violent. Residents of informal settlements and NGO’s took off to the streets to demand their rights in a remarkable, non-confrontational march. Their energy and organisational skills are impressive; it felt great to be part in this.
The Black Marimba theatre troupe set the tone for the day. A mix of traditional dancers and acrobats performed a spectacular show at the central park, very energetic. Immediately after the performance, people assembled behind their respective banners and marched along one of the main streets of Nairobi, singing and chanting. The banners were incredibly effective in portraying the plurality of representation and in articulating people’s demands.
Continue reading ‘The march’
On Sunday, we began our door-to-door campaign in Kibera to raise awareness of the free SMS 3221 number individuals can text to have their Voice automatically added to the Demand Dignity campaign. Although my Kiswahili is limited, between help from volunteers in our partner community-based organizations and a smile, we tried to encourage people to take action, claim their rights and demand adequate housing.
Alongside the free SMS 3221, we also invited residents of the informal settlements to add their Voice through video as we had brought along a camera crew. As many residents of informal settlements do not have access to internet on a regular basis, but do have mobile phones, the SMS and video camera was one of the ways their Voices could be heard by the world of the conditions and basic necessities that they live without.
Continue reading ‘Launch of SMS and Web action in Nairobi, Kenya’
A member of the Soweto Forum in door to door campaign explains the SMS action to a Peter, a slum dweller ©Amnesty International
Evangelia Papada is in Kenya
We left the hotel at 8am and headed for the high-rise project, one of the entry points to Kibera, the biggest slum in Kenya and perhaps in the entire continent.
It has been a very exciting day from the start. Immediately after we arrived, we met with the ISSA community project in Laini Saba, one of Kibera’s most active neighbourhoods. We have planned to march through Kibera and raise support and interest for our action with a street theatre act.
Continue reading ‘Irene Khan visits Kibera and launches e-action’
Evangelia Papada is in Kenya
Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya. The Demand Dignity campaign has officially been launched and we have switched on our campaign engines. Amnesty International has just released a report on informal settlements in Kenya and the Secretary General Irene Khan is here on a High Level Mission.
Jennifer and I arrived here a few days ago. Our aim is to engage the public, and predominately slum dwellers, in an SMS action.
We have trained over 70 volunteers from community-based organisations who, in turn, trained over a 100 of their peers on how to carry out the action. We are equipped with leaflets, postcards, and a video camera crew and our aim is to collect people’s voices.
Continue reading ‘Demanding Dignity with a Kenya e-action’
