Kenyan Art & Entrepreneurs
I was watching this video last night of an artist in Kibera (or was it Mathare?) who is using left over animal bones to create handicrafts and artwork. It’s really a must see video because this guy is using his creativity, innovation and business acumen to create unique products that are also environmentally adaptable.
In many ways this video is very inspiring, but in other ways, it’s also quite sad because this guy is still living in the slums and if he was in any other western country, he’d probably be a lot richer because his creativity would have been more valued.
The video may also make you a little angry because it highlights just how unjust Kenya’s economic landscape is. This is the kind of guy that the government really should be supporting, but instead, the government is busy using taxpayer money to pay MP’s these exorbitant salaries
I’ve always found artistic entrepreneurs to be much more interesting people to talk about because their craft involves beauty and creativity.
There’s not a lot of discussion about this aspect of entrepreneurialism, especially amongst Kenyans because we tend to be so obsessed with banking and the corporate culture.
Now, of course, if you’re a vegetarian, this kind of art may not appeal to you, but they’re other aspects about it that may intrigue you.
Click on the link and watch the video. It’s very inspiring.
** Very interesting & poignant article about how this recession is forcing people to re-examine whether what they are doing at work is really practical and perhaps there should be a return to careers that force people to work with their hands because these are the jobs that actually produce things.
Hi love the Rwanda video. I have done a follow up on http://stopaid.org/2009/05/10/.....rosperity/
With regards to the African talent being left to rot. This again because of AID dependency. AID donors require that we open up the markets to their goods. E.G Armani suits and other brands. This has killed our own culture and artist talent. Remember there is no government program that can replace market economics in the way our entrepreneurs are supported to produce goods.
That is why all this world bank projects money is sadly what the English call a red herring and a waste of funds.
We must stop AID dependency and think for ourselves.
John
John,
One symptom is inconclusive of which particular disease. Study the whole disease and get all the symptoms first then give the right medicine. Don’t just jump over a single symptom which is inconclusive of what disease we are dealing with here.
Many diseases share similar symptoms. Not that am trying to moot your point. But all am saying, what you indicated is a symptom and governments everywhere have to transfer funds to agencies “AID” notwithstanding. Wether Kenya has aid or not does NOT solve the problem of corruption.
I don’t know where you studied you economics but Aid that goes to infrastructure is something which is very important for development in countries that would otherwise be left out in the global pace of infrastructure and communications changes.
http://makerfaireafrica.com/
KE, you can put your money where your mouth is and support Maker Fraire Africa 2009. It’s easy and you can sponsor for a pittance using Paypal etc.
Call it micro-venture capital investing.
I checked out your link. Very interesting. Will you be attending?
Ghana, India and ICT….that’s a topic I’d very much be interested in exploring.
Would you say that Ghana is ahead of kenya in this area?
@pimpin
I suspect you havent visited the http://stopaid.org visit to see the entire argument.
KE, sadly no, I will not be attending though it is something I would love to patronize in person.
Is Ghana ahead of Kenya in ICT? My gut is no. They have more mobile penetration, I think it is now 50%, and they have a far more liberalized telecom industry with 6 mobile providers and 2 fixed landline providers all owned by private companies, they already have a direct marine fiber optic link and have started the national rollout BUT I think the quality and caliber of ICT graduates is still higher in Kenya.
That may change but for now I would give the edge to Kenya.
Ghana is ahead of Kenya in one thing only, Witchcraft
Good post though
JK,
Look man, I’ve been around for some time. I’ve seen and heard many people talk about this issue. Let alone the few that are on that website you talking about.
I will say it again. People need to stop this type of blanket thinking. Stopping Aid is all together is a very stupid and sloppy Idea.
The Idea that the Western Countries are all conspiring against Africa to keep them borrowing is really dum.
As long as you are dum,the western corporate bankers will always take advantage of your stupidity.
The real problem is not AID the problem is how to get the AID to the specified projects and accumulate a worhy infrastructure and enviroment for FDI’s.
I’ll give you a simple Analogy….
If I know there is a hyena at point B….
I have to move meat for dinner from point A to C..
I know I need to kill the Hyena at point B to get to C…
So Why Would someone talk about forgeting the whole journey all together…. Just because there is a hyena at B…
Atimes you people need to stop and think for a minute. and start being creative… Geez !!
hey,
I cant seem to access the link that you were talking about. anyway i can get more info on the quy from kibera?
cheers