Jambo Kenya Korea Winter Edition 2011 - Get a Free Blog

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Kenyans stir crowd in Global fest
KCK Dance Troupe from Busan. The group performed during the “Encounter Korea Festival” organized by Mannam volunteers
By Staff Writer
On that raining afternoon, clad in their
dominantly traditional Maasai colors,
they looked stunning. And as they waited
for their time to get on the stage, you could see
them fidgeting obviously out of cold rather than
nervousness; after all the KCK Busan dancers
have been on stage occasionally.
Prior to that, the organizers had expressed their
worry if the Kenyan troupe will be traditional
enough worthy of displaying at the main stage.
Unfortunately they unwittingly succumbed to
their fear.
In fact, and rather disappointing to the dancers,
they had been programmed to perform on a substage
outside of the arena. “I was personally
disappointed; it would have been the first time
for a KCK dance to be placed away from the
main stage. I knew they had underestimated us
and that is why I protested,” said KCK Secretary
General, Mr. Kamary who also dances with
KCK troupe.
Cornered by the rains, no performance could
be staged outside the gymnasium therefore the
Kenyans were on the main stage – and they
did not disappoint. Their presence aroused the
crowed who clapped and shouted along with
Jambo Bwana rhythm. A number of audiences
were surprisingly familiar with the words of the
Kenya’s popular classic song particularly with
the “hakuna matata” climax.
By the time Mwana wa Mberi beats boomed,
the gymnasium had gone wild – enthralled. The
dancers then crowned the time with Taunet ne
lel. You can guess the reaction but for a hint,
many were seen many finding their seats back.
KCK also operated a booth where hot mandazi
were fried amid light but length rain. At the
background was Kenyan music keeping the
booth alive throughout the day. Rain or no rain,
Kenyan’s spirit of resilience and inspiration lives
on.The event was organized by MANNAM,
Korea’s biggest volunteer group.
KCK members after this year’s annual humanitarian event at M-Dream Children’s Home in Gwangju.
KCK News
AGM 2011: You need
‘Saemaul Undong’,
Kenyans told
Prof. Chung Keun Mo,
Advisory Members of
Kenya’s National Social
and Economic Council
(NESC)
transformational movement that converted
A Korea from poverty to prosperity may be
what a country like Kenya requires. Speaking to
Kenyans during the annual general meeting, Prof.
Chung Keun Mo a nuclear scientist who is also one
of the four foreign Advisory Members of Kenya’s
National Social and Economic Council (NESC)
under the Office of the President, encouraged
Kenyans to get the development fundamentals
right.
He was referring to Saemaul Undong movement
that, the government proposed in rural communities
to inspire the people, particularly farmers, leading
them into development path. Noting that Kenya
has big potential with majority of population
composed of the youth, Dr. Chung added that
Kenya’s new constitution should be a milestone
towards progress. Prof. Chung is one of the key
figures that addressed Kenyans during Katiba Day
celebrations last year.
Kenya Ambassador, Ngovi Kitau, commended
Kenyans in Korea for being diligent and asked
them to take seriously their experiences in Korea.
He emphasized the significance of the diaspora in
building Kenya. Also in the AGM was a delegation
of Kenyan businessmen, KOICA officials, Mannam
Volunteers officials among others. As KCK
Chairman Patrick Ntonja noted in the last edition
of this newsletter, the basic spirit of Saemaul
Undong Movement is “diligence, self-help, and
cooperation.”
After the devastating Korean War in 1950-53,
Koreans basic belief focused on togetherness.
Each village was a community of new living and
working, having common purpose of wellbeing.
Seamaul indeed was a fight against old and deep
pessimistic views, the thoughts of ‘Poverty is our
fate’ or ‘We cannot do it’.
Kenya and other countries can learn from Korea.
Korea’s Saemaul was exemplified as a model of
growth to African countries, Asian, and South
America.
Kenyans share a lot from Korean desire to
develop. In fact, Saemaul ideals are somewhat
similar to the Kenya’s 4K clubs. Kuungana (unite),
Kufanya (act together), Kusaida (help), Kenya. If
Kenyans subscribe to simple values of hard work
and self-help and working as a community, the
hunger will be a thing of the past. Since Kenya
enjoys great weather throughout the year, and even
has more natural resources than Korea, Kenya’s
transformation is bound to be magical.