A Talent Hub becomes a safe space for young people by indulging them in performing Art

In a slightly spacious yet very well-lit room, a group of bare-chested youths and children crowd the doorway pacing around in excitement. Each of them awaits their turn to showcase their acrobatic move to an audience of other peers.

Performing at the center of the almost empty room they move with an eerie grace, their movements fluid yet slightly unsettling.

With each twist and turn, they defy gravity in ways that seem almost supernatural. Tension keeps building with each daring stunt, each leap and somersaults more breathtaking than the last.

Watching them perform is captivating, yet very scary as they push themselves to the limits of their physical abilities. And as the show reaches its climax, the stunts become more complex switching to a balancing act high above the ground.

Despite the daring stunts, the performers show no fear on their faces, instead radiating excitement and confidence.

“When you begin it’s very scary but once you get used to it, you’ll find it’s not as hard as it seems. And we do anticipate injury from time to time but they’ll heal eventually,” 11-year-old William Mutunga one of the performers assures me.

This is Afrizo Kenya which means African Zone, is a center where young people find a safe space to nurture and build their talents. The group founded in 2015 consists of members from ages 5 to 30 years old. Their activities consist of acrobatic performances, traditional dance, drama activities, and also mentorship programs which include mental health and anger management/ conflict resolutions.

“The Ideology of slum areas such as Kibera from the perspective of outsiders is sometimes true. Kibera just like any other place has its vices that at times become very risky to the wellbeing of youths and children. We were very intentional when we founded AfriZo. Our main objective was not to nurture talent but to create a safe, engaging space for them away from endangering activities,” says Vincent Owino AfriZo Chairman.

Mutunga one of the kids under the Afrizo Kenya, perceives AfriZo as a sanctuary shielding him from potential harm. His home is situated along the banks of the Nairobi River that cuts across Kibera, leaving him exposed to the dangers of the flooded waters.

With every rainy season, he fears for the worst not only for himself but the safety of his friends as well.

“I live in Kisumu Ndogo and when it rains the water floods most of the places, we would normally seek refuge in. There is even no space to play so some of the children would take advantage of the flooded rivers to search for scrap metal to sell and get money. I come here because I can showcase my talent and also I have people who are there to motivate me while doing what I love,” he says.

The risk factors involved go beyond just environmental hazards for Children. Overcrowding and unsafe living conditions in informal settlements also expose children to violence, abuse, and exploitation.

Additionally, the prevalence of crime and substance abuse in such areas can negatively impact their well-being as well, according to statistics by UN-Habitat states.

“Children are easily swayed to indulge in unlawful activities and that’s what this group focuses on. We try to create that enabling environment where they get to express themselves and just be kids,’’ says Owino.

14-year-old William Aura, another beneficiary and resident of Kisumu Ndogo, enjoys being exposed to new opportunities. He was a fan of shows like America’s Got Talent before joining the group. His exposure has enabled him to have a different perspective on his talent.

“On all honesty, I thought such acts were specifically designed to be performed by just Americans. I didn’t think they existed in Kenya especially acrobatics which I had an interest in. Coming to the training has helped nurture a talent I didn’t know I had,” says Aura.

The training sessions for the activities are mostly done during holidays and weekends. Every Sunday the members are taken through a mental wellness session to assess their wellbeing. The group has also created an enabling schedule that helps the kids maneuver through schooling, doing home chores, and attending the sessions seamlessly.

“Discipline is very key in the acts we perform. When we are in school, we simply focus on school work and when we go for training it’s still the same. Our training sessions may seem hard and tiring but we know how to maneuver our way through it,” affirms Mutunga.

The group performs at events and shows to earn income. The money is used for expenses such as costumes, equipment repairs, and any necessary purchases. They also save some funds to help members in need when possible.

“Not every performance results in a significant financial gain. Some of the performances are mainly for the marketing purposes of the team. Any surplus funds we get after expenses are used to purchase necessary items for members. We assess each individual’s needs, which could range from shoes, clothes, books, or any other requirement. Purchasing such does help cut on cost, especially on the parent’s side,” says Owino.

One of the challenges they face is not having enough space. The hall they use for training is not big enough for certain acts. Owino says that finding a larger space is costly even though they have tried to get one.

“The current space we are using was given by a friend and he doesn’t charge us.  We get to use the space when he does not have activities running here. The place is accommodative and has been helpful to us but limits our performance due to the low ceiling, “he says.

Financial constraints are also another challenge as most of the time there is a scarcity of shows available for the group to perform at. For the older members with responsibilities, each relies on a different occupation to keep them afloat.

But despite the challenges, Owino believes the Organization still stands a chance at succeeding.

“The older members of the group like myself came from a different organization that collapsed a while back. But despite that setback, we were still able to get back up and continue from where we left having learned from our previous mistakes. We are simply relying on hope to create a better realizable future for those we have taken under our wings, “he affirms.

The ultimate goal for AfriZo is to set up a performance center for all creatives and this will enable them to take more members and also introduce other programs. They believe one day they will have a circus center in Kibra.

As for Mutunga and Aura, they feel confident that even as they grow older, their career paths will still be linked to performing arts.

“I am happy at the moment doing what I love. But I have a plan to do acrobatics until my thirties and then I’ll get a paying job which I’ll figure out as I go along,” Aura says with a chuckle.