How a community dance group is using dance to tackle social ills in Huruma

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, life changed suddenly for many Kenyans.

For Brian Otieno, a team leader who coordinated energisers during corporate team-building events, the lockdowns meant job loss and uncertainty.

Out of work and unsure what to do next, he turned to what he had always loved most, dance.

He had been a hip-hop and lyrical dancer for years, a style still rare in Kenya. He was not sure people would connect with it, then one day, he recorded a short routine and posted it on TikTok.

The video went viral overnight. People liked the energy and creativity, and they wanted more. That moment sparked an idea that would later transform his community.

He realised that dance could be more than entertainment, adding that he knew it could become a tool for healing, expression, and change at a time when society was battling frustration and isolation.

During that period, physical exercise was highly encouraged as a way of staying healthy. Otieno decided to combine the two ideas.

He began training people in his neighbourhood in Huruma as a form of exercise.

He says his goal was not only to promote health but also to offer young people an alternative to the growing social problems in his area.

“Idle time has pushed many teenagers into drug use, petty theft, and risky behaviour. The pandemic had made things worse as schools were closed and parents struggled to provide,” Otieno explained.

So, one afternoon, Otieno invited young people from the neighbourhood to an open field. He expected a small turnout, but instead, more than 50 people showed up.

“That was the first class; during the second, third, and many more classes, the number grew to more than 200 people,” he said.

He decided to divide them into small groups to maintain safety and social distancing. They danced one metre apart, following the guidelines that had been introduced.

What began as a simple exercise session quickly grew into a movement. Otieno named it Motivated Mindset Dancers, a group inspired by art and a shared desire to fight social ills through creativity.

At first, it was informal. But when schools reopened in 2021, he decided to formalise the idea into a community-based organization. He wanted the group to continue providing a safe space for youth long after the pandemic.

“This is a humanitarian organisation that uses art to educate, empower, and transform the lives of teens and youths in our area,” he noted.

First studio

He shared that their primary achievement was being able to rent a first space at Sh4,000 per month. It was small but symbolised hope, where safety was guaranteed.

They called it their studio, even though the floor was dusty and the walls were made of rusted iron sheets.

Insecurity soon became a problem, as that was like a lifestyle in the area; speakers and other equipment were stolen. Despite the challenge, they bought new ones and kept pushing.

With time, their work began to attract attention both locally and internationally.

They started by applying for several competitions locally and winning many of them, which paved the way for international recognition in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

The UK recognition came with additional benefits, including being advised to find a good space for dancing, which is now their current safe space, and they committed to paying its rent of Sh20,000 monthly.

That arrangement was supported through the Haiti Foundation in the UK, but unfortunately, the funding stopped this year after the announced plans to cut foreign aid in Africa, as they were also affected.

Still, the group refused to stop dancing; they kept pushing with donations from well-wishers and the income from some of the shows and events they attended.

Also, the group applies for awards, grants, and collaborations for survival. Additionally, they also create content on social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook to reach new audiences.

Programmes born through the journey

With time, they introduced new programmes, and they launched the Slum Motivated Tour, which exposes children to new experiences outside their neighbourhoods.

They also introduced exchange programmes with schools and dance groups from other regions. Every Wednesday, the group runs a feeding programme where they share hot meals with the community.

“The meals are donated by the Ramgharia Temple, which includes already cooked rice, beans, green grams, and for snacking, biscuits and fruits,” Otieno said.

Additionally, they also organise community clean-ups, bringing together dancers and residents to tidy the environment.

Stories of impact from beneficiaries

Among the many young people he has mentored is David Kanali, an 18-year-old from Huruma who joined the group in 2020.

David joined as a beginner with no experience, only passion. He says the organisation has changed how he sees life.

“Before joining, I believed my future was limited to the slum; now I have performed on major stages and definitely believe I have a promising future.

Through the programme, he also learned camera work, pursued short courses and earned certification. It has become a side hustle that helps him earn extra income as he waits to join the campus.

David’s determination has paid off as he has been nominated for Dancer of the Year in the 360 Awards, a recognition that excites him and validates his hard work.

He has also risen through all levels of training, from beginner to amateur, dancer, professional, and now he is a choreographer.

“I enjoy creating dance stories that reflect real social issues, from crime to hope and transformation,” he shared.

He describes Otieno as an open mentor who always supports them, saying that he has even helped him raise school fees, for which he is grateful.

Another young member, Valaria Rose, a grade nine student, also joined in 2020. She says she found purpose through dance.

Valaria has also learned camera operation, which she has turned into a hobby. She now records moments whenever she can.

She says the mentorship has kept her away from bad company, teaching her discipline and positive self-presentation. In a neighbourhood where drugs and teenage pregnancies are common, she now encourages her peers to make better choices.

Valaria dreams of becoming a choreographer and travelling the world to teach other dancers. Their approach addresses a social problem with a practical response: using dance as a tool for empowerment, education, and community building.

Building trust through parents’ engagement

As of now, the organisation has a criterion for recruitment. Before admitting any child, the team ensures the child has a genuine interest in dancing. Then they invite the parents for an orientation meeting.

“Parent education has become one of their most important programmes because many parents initially associated dance with bad behaviour or satanic influence,” he said.

“The parents’ orientation meetings help parents understand dance as an art form and build trust.

He admitted that winning the parents’ confidence has not been easy, especially in a society where youth groups have sometimes been involved in scandals.

He noted that he also uses that time to request parents to sign a consent form for their children, as they also know the exact place they can find their children during training time.

Sustainable impacts

One of their biggest challenges is the cost of costumes. Otieno explained that in modern dance, costumes are an essential part of storytelling as they reflect the mood and message of a performance.

He admitted that quality costumes are expensive and the group often struggles to afford them. However, the organisation has achieved remarkable success.

They have won several awards, including the Fema Awards, Timiza Awards, Kuza Awards, Extreme Awards, Tukuza Awards, and the 360 Awards in Kenya.

Internationally, they have earned the MTM Awards in the UK and the African Children Awards in South Africa.

He takes pride in how the organisation has grown from an open field to a professional dance studio serving dancers from five areas, including Huruma, Mathare, Ngei, Kiamaiko, and Madoya.

“Through these networks, we have trained more than 2000 people since inception,” he said.

Through the awards, some members have accessed sports scholarships and professional training in film and photography.

“Seeing my dancers grow beyond the stage brings me great joy,” he exclaimed.

However, not everything has been smooth; their TikTok account, which had a large following, was banned after they tried to promote their sponsor’s cryptocurrency campaign using an AI tool.

They appealed the ban, and the account is expected to reopen in December.

He admits that the biggest challenge is funding. They need support to secure a permanent studio, purchase costumes, and produce quality content.

The group recently won the MTN International Award, which requires them to travel abroad, but they are still struggling with logistics such as passport applications and travel costs.

“I thank everyone who has supported our growth and appeals to well-wishers to continue supporting our mission by donating, financing, or even sharing our work online,” he concluded.

From a simple idea born during a pandemic, Motivated Mindset Dancers have become a movement of change, proving that art can rebuild broken dreams and light the path for a better tomorrow.

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