ISSUE #02
Inspired by nature and our creativity we present to you the germinating seeds of hope in our region with hopes that you will also be inspired as we are.
When we produced the first Issue of DUST23, we knew that we were destined to the second issue, but what we did not know was how many people love nature and creativity! We received a lot of nice words and congratulations on how our team was able to blend creativity, innovation to the mother nature.
We are delighted once again to present to you our second issue – Destination River Turkwel. River Turkwel is the biggest permanent river in Turkana/Kenya and a source of livelihood to many people. Its beauty and splendour is amaz ing. By the banks of the river as you watch the sunset is breathtaking.
Have fun!
Many times when you wake up to the awesome ness of nature and creativity, this makes us happy. I have come to learn that we have to work towards our happiness. Walking by the banks of River Turkwel is one of those moments!
TABLE OF
IKOTE: Stop shouting my name! I am right here with you. What’s the matter?
IKOTE&EKAI Story & Illustration Thomas Etubon 8 — DUST23
EKAI: Ikote! Ikote! Ikote!
IKOTE: Are you serious? Attack?
EKAI: The world is under attack.
9 — DUST23
EKAI: I hear people talk about something called Corona. I still don’t get it, but it sounds more dangerous than the explosives.
10 — DUST23
EKAI: Since this thing exploded, it has been spreading out. I was just told at the shopping centre today that the thing is already here with us in the country.
EKAI: We are done! The world is seriously under attack.
IKOTE: What attack? IKOTE: Mmmh! Go on. 11 — DUST23
IKOTE: So sad!
12 — DUST23
IKOTE: Man, don’t panic over rumours. Wait for the right information tomorrow from the village Elder.
EKAI: So I’m panicking, that’s what you mean?
EKAI: Is that all you can say Ikote? Don’t you know that this thing will finish us?
IKOTE: Yeah, somehow but not really.
EKAI: Okay, next time when you need information, go find it yourself.
IKOTE: Sure, that sounds like a better idea.
13 — DUST23
DESTI -
Are you in Lodwar and looking for a place to chill for the weekend with your loved ones? Why not take a tour to the banks of our one and only beautiful river Turkwel.
Story & Photography Artsy Solomon 14 — DUST23
-
R.TURKNATION WEL
15 — DUST23
16 — DUST23
17 — DUST23
Roasted, boiled, or fried, get a taste of the fish here But only if you’re lucky.
18 — DUST23
19 — DUST23
How is it so theEnjoyingfar?view?
Inspired by the beautiful sunset
20 — DUST23
WE LOROPIOTOMOVINGARE
We met with Brizan Were and Ludwig Bayern from Learning Lions in Lodwar and asked them a few questions about this ambitious project which started a few years ago in Lodwar and is now being continued on a larger scale in Loropio.
Story Matthias Dunkel Photography Artsy Solomon
In Loropio/Turkana, in the North of Kenya, something great is happening – the first phase of a modern campus is complete where young men and women can learn, earn and innovate.
21 — DUST23
The apprentices are being trained here in professions such as graphic design, illustration, photography, animation, web design, programming, 3D and project management – with the aim of being able to stand on their own two feet as online freelancers.
22 — DUST23
Brizan Were
Brizan is a co-founder and local operations director at Loropio. Together with Ludwig Bayern, he has seen this project grow since day one, from the selection interviews of our first cohort to the day they admitted the first Lion at Loropio campus! He is a trained teacher and a human rights award winner both national and international who is so passionate about youth empowerment. At the campus he is in charge of the daily operations and ensuring that life is good at Loropio.
Ludwig Bayern, a co-founder and team lead at Loropio, believes in sustainable development as the only way to change the lives of many young people in Africa. He has vast expertise in relief and humanitarian work where he gets his inspiration and motivation from. Ludwig has spent most of his time at Loropio supporting construction and coordinating fundraising efforts towards making this dream a reality.
The partnersinterview
Ludwig Bayern
23 — DUST23
D23 Before we talk about the new Learning Lions Campus, it would be great if you could tell us briefly what Learning Lions is, how you came up with the idea, how it all began and how it has developed to this day?
LB Learning Lions is based on the idea that talent in the world is equally distributed, and even living in a remote area should not stop anybody from becoming successful in a digital age. Especially through our online Freelancer training, many parti cipants of Learning Lions have proven that even after a short time they are ready to provide digital creative services for cli ents around the world. Lodwar was the first professional digital community born out of Learning Lions and has now outgrown our local offices so we are ready for a move to larger facilities.
D23 When and how did you come to the project and what did you find so fascinating about it?
When we started the trip and met young people along the way, I realised that they were facing some profound problems. As much I did not believe in this crazy idea, I told myself to stick with it.
“InterviewEverymorningwhenIwake
BW I remember very well it was midday and I was in class Seven teaching science when a young girl came and told me that the school headteacher was calling me. When I got to his office I met two gentlemen I later came to know as Prince Ludwig and his brother Charlie. They told me about this crazy idea they were thinking of starting in Turkana. I almost told them to forget about it, but then I thought ‘give it a try’. After all I would get three days off school!
up and see the huge magnificent campus building, I realise that with vision and determination everything is possible under the sun.” Brizan Were
24 — DUST23
D23 Now, after a few years, you want to take the next step and make the project even bigger with the new campus. Why is that? Is it even realistic that so many online freelancers in this area can make a living from this profession?
BW I want to be honest here: I was born and brought up in this region. Since my childhood I have seen many NGOs coming here to do a lot of projects but our lives have never changed significantly. My biggest challenge at the beginning was believing in these men. They spoke of big things like building something similar to Silicone Valley. I wondered where they could get these millions. How do I convince my fellow young people that this is going to work? How do I tell that it does not matter whether you have once used a laptop or not.
D23 What are the biggest difficulties you encountered during the planning and realisation of the building project?
Now when I look back at how many young people have been through our program I get overwhelmed with joy. It’s possible! Every morning when I wake up and see the huge magnificent campus building I get to realize that with vision and determination everything is possible under the sun.
25 — DUST23
LB Being an online Freelancer is realistic for many, but not everybody will succeed. Talent is important, but even more important is your individual entrepreneurial ambition and drive. The good thing is that we are competing together as a community on the global market for digital services, rather than fighting each other for the few local customers. My hope is also that some of the more successful members of our community will attract enough business to help those still learning and outsource to them.
26 — DUST23
Kéré has gone on to become one of the most distinguished contem porary architects thanks to his pio-
Francis ArchitectKéré
neering of a communal approach to design and his commitments to sustainable materials, as well as modes of construction.
Inspired by a curiosity for the par ticularities of any given locality and its social tapestry, he has gathered a diverse agile team at his Berlinbased Kéré Architecture offices.
Underpinning his architectural prac tice are his teaching engagements as well as his participation in solo and group exhibitions.
The internationally acclaimed ar chitect prof. Kéré garnered critical praise from the beginning of his architectural practise when he was awarded the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2004) for his first ever building – a primary school he designed, raised the funds for and realized in collabora tion with the residents of his native Gando, Burkina Faso.
D23 With Francis Keré, you have found a top-class architect for your project who has developed a great architectural concept for the campus. How did the collaboration come about and which points were most important to you in developing the concept?
Thankjourney.youvery
In ten years I would love to see multiple campuses all over the African continent. Hopefully some of our students of the Refugee communities in Kenya will have decided to return to their home and with our support start a new Learning Lions Community and even campus in their region. On an individual basis, I hope that many former students will already run successful companies and start-ups, but that they never forget where they came from and help to create equal opportunities for those who are just starting on the same
BW We are ready to receive the Lions at the campus. The only worry was on the flats, but they are now complete. We are just finishing with the wash areas – and believe me, these living units will help our Lions to save on the high cost of rental housing in Lodwar town, hence being able to contribute effectively to their economic growth.
27 — DUST23
much for this interview!
D23 Let‘s take a brief look into the future. Where do you see the project in three years and in ten years?
D23 When will the first Lions be able to move into the new flats on the new campus and what will everyday life be like there?
LB In three years we will have trained at up to 300 more digital freelancers at Lake Turkana, so our campus should be buzzing with life and the smell of innovation. Hopefully it will have become a world famous spot for digital freelancers all over the world to come and work for a month or two on their own projects. This would open up a channel for exchanging ideas, benefit ting visitors and our local community.
LB I met Francis by chance in Munich at an event of the Technical University. I had heard of him before, he is world-famous for his down-to-earth style and how he makes simplicity part of African Futurism. Of course I took the opportunity to ask him. He agreed to do this building for us on the spot. He comes from a rural village in Burkina Faso himself, so he immediately understood the potential behind the idea of Learning Lions. Working with him has been a great experience.
BW I am looking forward to seeing a dream come true. And in my lifetime! A dream of more than 200 young people working on digital opportunities and earning a living from a very comfortable, non-destructive environment. Just like all urban hubs, Lodwar has its dangers. But I hope this campus will feel like a safe sanctuary, where young people can learn and grow.
D23 What are you most looking forward to when the campus opens? What do you see as the biggest advantages for the students here?
forvert.com
EnomattAbrahamAlimlim,Jeniffer
—Photography SolomonArtsy —Models|
30 — DUST23
COMMUNITYOFGOURDSTHE Story & Photography Artsy Solomon 31 — DUST23
32 — DUST23
Gourds of the Community is a soonto-be-released documentary all about the oldest, most traditional containers, used by many Kenyan communities.
For example, through the decades Akitom, Etuo and the Akurum were some of the containers that were used by the Turkana community to store and preserve milk and oil.
Despite differences in appearance, each of the containers share similar parts: the Akodet (handles) are mostly made of Amuny (leather), while the Apukenit (lid) is made of either Ibole/ Abei and beads.
Synopsis
Akurum Akitom 33 — DUST23
Parts of the Akitom, Etuo and Akurum
34 — DUST23
01-Ngakoroomwa (beads)
35 — DUST23
02-Akodet (handle)
36 — DUST23
03-Ibole 37 — DUST23
LIFETURK
Globally, more of us now live in cities than in rural areas. If we want to live more sustainably, we will have to do so surrounded by modern walls rather than fields and shrubs.
38 — DUST23
But while all this may be feeling good, spare a thought for rural communities, seemingly left behind in the headlong rush to embrace urban life. Some don’t know what it really is.
Thomas Etubon
Story & Illustration
39 — DUST23
40 — DUST23
41 — DUST23
internet. “Hyper-villages could help sustain a rural way of life by advertising local produce and encouraging more people to buy locally produced food, potentially creating a virtuous circle within rural areas of work, leisure and food production. They could remove the feeling of exclusion from the outside world many villages feel, whilst endorsing their traditional values.
They could remove the feeling of exclusion from the outside world many villages feel.
Imagine a rural community underpinned by the highest-spec software and hardware; a village that’s self-reliant and thriving, making the best use of technology and super fast internet con nectivity to drive a local economy and exemplary environmental stewardship; a place where people, households and community centres are interconnected, where children can access virtual classrooms and share entertainment across the
42 — DUST23
Story Artsy Solomon
E R
For our second issue, we wanted to hear from Eric Otieno Origa, a multi-task crea tive mixing up sign writing, selling art paintings and creating branding for a living.
Photography Francoblanco, Eric Otieno Origa
I C O 43 — DUST23
44 — DUST23
EOO I was born in Nairobi but I have lived in Lodwar for the best part of my life. I have had a great childhood with beautiful people around all the time.
45 — DUST23
D23 Tell us a little bit about yourself... Where are you from, where did you grow up?
societyinroleartist’sanbelieveI comfortable,lifemakethings,to future.betteraforinnovate
D23 What’s your day to day like?
EOO I usually wake up at 5 to freshen up for the gym at 6, sessions last for 45 mins. I enjoy kickboxing as a sport. I am back home by 7 for breakfast while spending the whole hour with my family then, according to plans, I can go out for a gig or just stay at home to paint. I usually take breaks to read, write, eat and enjoy listening to music whenever I can even while working.
Atanayeche, 2020
R
2021
Sign writing,
T-Shirts, 2021
A 46 — DUST23
Yellow mellow, 2019
2021
city, 2018
Dust beauty,
and
Owl
T R
Bright lights,
2020
Sign writing with Kakuma refugee, 2018
T
D23 We saw some Covid19 paintings on walls, can you tell us more about it? How did you end up in that project?
I put food on the table by selling paintings, inte rior design and sign writing. All my paintings are priced after valuing the process, the size, time spent and material cost.
D23 How do you pay your bills? How do you charge for your paintings?
EOO A painting starts as an idea, I visualise, re search, then sketch it roughly on paper. Once this is done I prepare the canvas and start painting from darker colours to lighter colours. Lastly, I do the final touches and then put it up for criticism. I take criticism and repaint until I am satisfied. With every painting, I have learnt that the pro cess means a lot more to me, it acts as reference.
D23 Do you give titles to your paintings, how important are they?
EOO Yes, all my painting are named, I tell their stories to my clients and anyone ready to hire. I always hope to see them after they are sold and hanging in someone’s living room or theatre.
Someone posted a link on WhatsApp about a proposal on Covid19 and I went for it. I have done street arts in collaboration with other art ists in Lodwar town. Regarding other projects, I was commissioned in 2011 by Kuona Art associa tion for a holiday tutorial project for young girls,
D23 What do you like most about your work?
to execute, I think it would be great if artists had even more time. The best thing about being creative is that there is no rules in art, you create your own path.
EOO Painting as a process is wholly enjoyable, from the beginning to end but the best part of it all is when the art is being seen and analysed. I feel great about my work because it’s what I love
U 48 — DUST23
D23 What is your process in painting? How do you know a painting is done?
K A NstoriestheirtellInamed,arepaintingmyallYes, alwaysIhire.toreadyanyoneandclientsmyto hangandsoldaretheyafterthemseetohope theatre.orroomlivingsomeone’sining
A very special moment for me as an artist always comes once a year when the Turkana Art Exchange takes place and numerous artists from different regions come to Turkana. It’s a project organization by Content House in Kenya and it brings together artists from very different disciplines – a very inspiring event where I can exchange ideas and learn from other creatives.
My social media handles are eric.otieno66 on Instagram, Eric Otieno Origa on Facebook and you can email me at otiotieno66@gmail.com
My wife is artistic in her own ways and compliments when she likes what she sees. I am dependant on her criticism because she is always with me. The children love art and are learning, watch out for them in the near future!
A
D23 How can anyone get in touch with you?
49 — DUST23
D23 What has been your most touching or amazing moment you’ve experienced as a painter?
I have had great mentors, Patrobas (Pele Arts), an old artist from Turkana, Patric Mukabi from Kuona Artists, Gilbert Ouma from the National Mu seums, Peter Walala, a great sculptor, Fatima Abdul also a local artist amongst many. My best advice for upcoming artist is that you can do anything you set your mind on, irrespective of your age, time or place.
R
I did an exhibition at Karen Blixen in Nairobi, in 2015. I have also been a facilitator at Kakuma refugee camp, at schools holiday camp for ICT skill training and more.
D23 What other artists have been inspirational to you in your work?
D23 Anything else you might want to add?
I am privileged to have participated in this exercise.
D23 What do your children and wife think of your work?
HANGEASY
It’s in London, just before the health crisis and challenges of 2020, that we met up with Shannyce Adamson, art director, entrepreneur and allround creative, to know more about her latest project, Easy Hang.
Photography Shannyce Adamson, Francoblanco
Story Francoblanco
50 — DUST23
51 — DUST23
SA I’ve always been interested in fashion and art, however it was only after studying Biological Sciences in university for a year, that I decided to pursue my passion. I initially began with styling but during my experience, I realised that it was the role of art director that I enjoyed the most. With this realisation I began organising and art directing my own fashion campaigns, coming up with concepts, selecting and styling the clothes, scouting locations for the shoot and even sourcing a photographer and model. I was constantly creating and I put my whole heart in it.
D23 You are very much involved in the creative industry with a wide range of skills, from store assistant to fashion stylist, how did you get into it? Can you describe your journey so far?
Growing my portfolio like this lead me to get assistant styling jobs within the fashion indus try including taking part in a couple of London Fashion Weeks. Working in the fast-paced backstage environment, dressing models in under a minute, taking highly crafted and delicate clothes on and off a hanger is not easy. And then I realised, why hadn’t anyone made a hanger for such situations? One that is quick to use, ergonomic, and not disposable.
52 — DUST23
53 — DUST23
At the time I wanted to do something about it but didn’t really know how to tackle it.
D23 The idea appears simple, yet no one had done it before. What inspired you?
SA In 2019, Natwest was running a competition and Easy Hang had been selected as part of their Back Her Business initiative and Side Hustle Campaign, an initiative which supports female entrepreneurs. Thinking about it, it is funny as it really started as a side hustle, it’s kind of closing the circle and taking it to the next step. Being a women in this industry, it can be very challeng ing and I thought, this is for me, I had nothing to lose, so I applied and got selected! It is a great opportunity – not only did it give me financial backing, I also got to attend training sessions about the financial side of business.
54 — DUST23
The Kenya
Through innovative enhancements, Easy Hang offers solutions to common hanger related issues such as; stretching, distortion, degradation of clothing, storage, transport and landfill waste.
Back at home I would break down different hang ers to analyse how they are made. Then I started creating my own, using different parts. Refining my idea and creating several DIY prototypes, I approached different manufacturers for more details and to understand the processes a bit better. However I started to feel a bit lost, my confidence was draining and I couldn’t find a company to work with that felt like a good fit. It took me four years to get from my initial idea to finding the right company. When I walked
HighKenyansupportiveLondonCommissionHighisofinnovatorsCommissionerManoahEsipisu
SA It is simple! The hangers are designed with foldable arms that work independently of each other. Each arm can simultaneously or inde pendently fold downwards and retract back to the original position by engaging the central mechanism located at the neck of the hanger. It’s designed to make it safer and easier to hang and store items of clothing.
D23 NatWest, an international Bank, has selected you to participate in a scheme to empower women entrepreneurs, how did you get noticed? Did you apply to the scheme or did they come across your work?
out of that meeting I couldn’t believe it: It was happening! I started to regain trust in myself and to believe in my idea again. We started working together and with their technical knowledge, we shaped a new prototype. The process can be long and challenging, as different ideas come together but we kept refining the product again and again for a period of 2 years.
Showing sustainabilitythat & durability is the way forward.
D23 Are you now in a situation of going to pro duction? What are your next steps?
SA There are a lot of creatives coming out of Kenya that are producing work that is routed in having a strong identity which I believe is important. I hope creatives will continue to avoid doing the ‘easy’ thing by looking to the West for influence. There is an artist I was speaking to recently about the Afro-renaissance movement, I thought it was very interesting and I love that it’s simultaneously futuristic and African. For a long time, African art forms were only allowed to exist in their traditional contexts, which over time restricted our creativity and development. Now I am happy to see this notion being broken and experimented with, resulting in incredible creative outcomes.
D23 How do you see the creativity coming out of Kenya in particular and Africa in the broader sense?
55 — DUST23
In the future, I would love to set up a manufac turing base in Kenya and uplift communities through fair and ethical business practices, essentially establishing a business that works not just for me, but for other people too.Moveablegrips
SA With the help of NatWest Back Her Business initiative I launched a successful crowd-funding campaign that exceeded my initial funding goal. Moving on, Easy Hang is in its final prototyping phase and I am now looking to market the prod uct to established retailers, showing them that innovation and durability is the way forward.
Retractable arm for easy storage, ideal for travelling
Gifts from the Desert www.apuuzawadi.com 56 — DUST23
APUU
Apuu Zawadi is a pure crafts manship brand made in Tur kana dealing in authentic and passionately rooted products designed with love and inspired by the Turkana and African cul ture beautifully seen in tailoring, beading, weaving, woodwork, leather work and Turkana arte Wefacts.love to create and collect perfectly imperfect handcrafted products that combine simplic ity of function and can be used as gifts to loved ones or home and office décor. MOURINE
T +254(0)70 3875455 E apuu@apuuzawadi.cominfo@apuuzawadi.com/ W www.apuuzawadi.com
Founder/Creative Director FOR MORE PRODUCTS & INFO CONTACT US “I have inandbeinggreatconsideredalwaysagiftbornraisedTurkana.” 1.SERVICES/GOODSTailoring(bags,apron, pillows) 2. Beading (ornaments) 3. Weaving (baskets) 4. Apuu Zawadi DIYs 5. Turkana Artifacts 57 — DUST23
Story Artsy Solomon Photography General
Edu 58 — DUST23
EDUGENERAL
Edu Ekidor famously known as General Edu, is one of the most successful music artists from Turkana.
When we asked General Edu to introduce him self, his story was an enticing one. “I guess I’m a Jack of all trades,” he told us, “Back in 2006 I was enlisted in the Kenya Police Service. Deep down though, I knew that singing was my real talent. Come 2009, I’d recorded my first album, featuring around 9 songs.” The Kanamkemer res ident is now best known for his song, ‘Turkana’.
59 — DUST23
While recording his first album, he still went by his official name, Edu Ekidor, using his nickname, ‘Triple Echo’ — a reference to each of his three names starting with ‘e’ — as his stage name.
“IOFTHETALENTIELSE.ANYBODYTHANBETTERONMYSELFPRIDEWON’TBEINGHAVEMYBYGRACEGOD.” GENERAL EDU 60 — DUST23
“To me music is everything. I believe that if I was doing music for fame I could have quitted long time ago.”
T
gress, with his hit ‘Turkana’ being one of them. When asked how he feels being one of the best music artists in Turkana, he said, “I won’t pride myself on being better than anybody else. I have my talent by the grace of God.” I have recorded a lot of songs since 2009 but I was not known by that time. And by the way many people don’t know that I did the Turkana song in 2015, it was only really picked up in 2018. And this is why I say it’s by God’s grace and timing. This was his response. To him music is everything, he believes that if he was doing music for profit and fame he could have quitted long time ago. He is still in the game.
61 — DUST23
General Edu doesn’t have a specific musician that inspires him. He gets his inspiration from many of them. But whoever inspired him to music was his pastor. He’s been interested in playing the piano ever since see ing his Pastor do it — in fact, he’s even got a few of his own albums. He believes in God’s timing in everything he does. He also believes that passion should be in everything we do. For all of us. His final remark to us was to encourage the artists of Turkana to continue creating good music. And he thanked the people of Turkana for their support of Turkana music.
hen, it was later in his career that he chose the name ‘General’. With his his tory in the military he was familiar with the term and its rank appealed to him, it also aligned with his Christian Faith. That’s how he ended up with ‘General Edu’ as his artistic stage name. In 2020 just like the rest of the artists on earth, he was affected by the Corona virus pandemic. For instance, he had a couple of songs recorded already but he couldn’t do anything with them. He couldn’t do video shoots since you will need a team of dif ferent talents, for example dancers, videographers… He told us he still remembered when he had shows that he was supposed to perform but they all had to disappear with the restrictions, social distancing and lockdowns. As of 2020, he’s been balancing two professions: musician and police officer. General Edu has couple of songs but the breakthrough was the ‘Turkana’ song that brought him to the limelight. He had three albums as of 2020. Dur ing the interview as he said he had his first album in 2009 but didn’t do videos for them because of the quality of audio production way back. His second album had 8 songs. All of them having music videos. His third album is already in pro
62 — DUST23
Story & Illustration Thomas Etubon
In the Lonely fields of No Man, lived a lion that fed on green vegetation only. This was its habitat. The lion loved to sleep. Sleeping was its favourite hobby.
CAUGHTALL UNAWAREUP
63 — DUST23
This man immediately took his spear and was ready to attack any animal that would come near him.
One day, a man came walking into the bush where the lion lived. The man heard strange sounds behind him and he became alert.
64 — DUST23
After looking all around, the man could not see any animal.
65 — DUST23
It was the stretching of its legs and body making the strange sounds. The lion was still asleep.
This man decided to light a fire.
The fire made by the man produced a lot of heat and light that later disturbed the sleeping lion.
66 — DUST23
The sleeping lion woke up and walked away.
The man did not notice anything.
67 — DUST23
DESERTINGOSPELTHE
Turn of the century
When the St Paul’s missionary community arrived at the turn of the century, Christianity was at its peak in the continent. Most traditional religions had been converted, but the people who believed in Agata were somewhat of a bit of a challenge.
The Green Chapel - History and context
Story Paul Omondi
Photography Artsy Solomon, Moses Mbotela
Inside Nachukui village we stepped inside St Mathew’s church. Its antique design and story gives the full essence of the past and the present.
Before the advent of Christianity, the locals in Nachukui believed in something, a traditionalist religion known as Agata. They used to gather and worship under an indig enous tree locally known as Esekhon. This tree has multiple uses among the people of Turkana — apart from the shade and gathering points. Its twigs have been used as toothbrushes for the past century, and it produces sweet fruits.
68 — DUST23
69 — DUST23
70 — DUST23
This sacred beauty is not currently in good condition — the roof and floors are in a state of deterioration due to winds and rains from the lake, and an increase in the size of the church community has led to breakages and minor cases of vandalism.
The whole foundation, altar and the slabs are all made of concrete and rocks, while the walls, windows and the roof are composed of materials from doum palm, wood and metal.
This calls for the community members, parish and local authorities to initiate a restoration programme so that this and many other similar sites in the region can be preserved for future generations, they could also be a potential for growth and income generation.
The few number of concrete slabs that serve as seats indicate that the church had been built to cater for the small number of villagers in the area. However the local population has been steadily increasing with time. During regular Sunday Service, the church is usually filled to the door, and on such occasions people attend their Sunday Service on the floor.
The chapel’s beauty has not only appealed to people from all walks of life but also animals, it is said there used to be a bee colony at the tree top by the altar. The locals could sometimes tap honey, but the bees were even tually flushed out lest they turned rogue amid a sunday service.
But the people at that time came up with a quick solution for it — they built the church around it. St Mathews Nachukui Chapel was constructed at the lapse of 1970s, the antique chapel now stands with the Esekhon tree protruding from the altar. The tree against the hard concrete is a tes timony of the passing time and transformation of an era.
Inside St Mathew’s Setting foot inside the humble church, you notice few wooden seats and benches, by the walls you will see the original slab seats made of concrete and stones similar to the floor. Behind the altar on the walls are illustrated fourteen stages of the cross, well spaced — each one in a decorated antique wooden frame.
“The beauty and ecology of the church has not only appealed to people from all walks of life, but also animals. Few years back in this decade it is said that bees constructed a colony on the tree top by the altar.”
71 — DUST23
Activities
The main road has provided the locals with avenues to trade on a variety of commodities such as charcoal, stick toothbrush locally known as “nanyaka“ and sometimes incense and animal hides are available for sale.
Nachukui Village
The locals also happen to be religious with Christianity being the main religion in the centre.
Nachukui village boarders the lodwar Lokitaung route and an aerial view of the village indicates a linear settlement pattern by the roadside while the interior of the village appears to be clustered with a dozen traditional bomas.
This mostly silent village is located eight kilometres south of the infamous Nariokotome region, this sublocation also known as Kataboi division is part of Turkana North.
72 — DUST23
73 — DUST23
74 — DUST23
75 — DUST23
SISTER
Story & Photography Artsy Solomon
Both Emelyne and Hafsa are from the Kakuma Refugee Camp. We met at Learning Lions, a non-profit organization equipping talented young adults from rural Africa with IT and media
Emelyneskills.loves
I just approached them one evening and told them I have an ‘idea’ of a photoshoot. The rest is history.
This photo series was inspired by the beauty of these classy ladies and the beautiful banks of river Turkwel.
dancing and modelling for fun. Hafsa, bold and classy, is an awardwinning model and loves doing artistic body paints.
Emelyne & Hafsa
76 — DUST23
77 — DUST23
78 — DUST23
79 — DUST23
80 — DUST23
OFINCREATIVITYTIMESCRISIS
Story Josphine Gaceri
Photography Moses Mbotela
I have never been able to find out precisely what people do when they are bored? Many had to keep themselves busy and try to learn new things.
As a result of the pandemic I started expressing myself through the making of mats. All kinds of mats. And nothing felt better than discovering I had a skill I didn’t know about. It was a great adventure!
81 — DUST23
get one. I learnt through a friend who told me she went for classes. Due to boredom and fewer interactions with friends, I chose to learn so that I could be busy at home. After making one mat, you pass the knowledge to your neighbours or friends so they can learn too. Through this, peo ple realise they could sell their wares and make
All you need is a crochet, thread & your shoppingshoppingrecycledbagbag”
What’s good about it is that you can even recycle unwanted shopping bags! There are so many types of shopping bags but we choose a specific bag that resembles a sack, it has spaces in between which we use to crochet (knitting in simpler term). It is cheap to find or acquire, and you can even borrow from friends if you can’t
82 — DUST23
83 — DUST23
Whenever I have spare time now I still practice. Even with the current budget in our local area, people can’t afford to buy them anymore. The little money they get is spent hand to mouth.
some profit. I enjoy creating my original patterns from scratch and combining the colours to make a beautiful mat. I also have tried to make a dress consisting of both bag and thread but it has not been successful yet. My designs are inspired by theme of colours in one’s house or the choice of a client, but I also use what I think will suit the best.
84 — DUST23
WITHRETHINKME...
PETER ODHIAMBO AKA TAPPY
85 — DUST23
Our African cultural stories inspire me every day. Walking on our beautiful continent, observing the plant-life is truly amazing. Our human stories are so complex, and I love capturing all these with my illustrations as well. Using the beauty of our planet and the people within it, my art always make me feel genuine and attached to the environment I am in. Have a look at some of my art and tell me how you feel. Did I inspire you to become a graphic designer?
Most people call me Peter but you could also be tempted to call me Tappy. But do you know why? Tappy is my artistic name, and is derived from Peter. I am a visual artist and a graphic designer. Creating art is healing and so much fun. It forms a medium in which we can communicate and with it I can tell the story of our weird world, and our inner-minds, for thousands of years. Illustrating and drawing are my favourite category in this vast industry but that has not stopped me from exploring other styles.
Story & Illustration Peter Odhiambo
86 — DUST23
87 — DUST23
Be kind... in a world where you can be anything.
The strength of kindness is infinite. An act of kindness actually means a selfless act performed by an individual in order to make someone happier, without any compensation. Everybody should be kind, without any reason. It is true acts of kindness, which create honest and lasting friendships and relationships. In fact, acts of kindness bring a magical feeling of honesty, purity, joy and integrity. We must live in this world so that behaviour, actions and even our thoughts do not harm others.
Mental slavery or mental handicap...?
Is this your cage too? Is this where you turn to when life becomes hard?
Is this the quickest way of acquiring six-pack?
Are you super addicted to these drugs? Can you do without them?
88 — DUST23
Are nomophobic?you
How can we cancel some days in our life?
Is this what we call modernity? What about the future?
Take charge of your life by choosing control.
Which one is the worst number for you?
In a society like this, who is to be blamed?
Is this the trend? Where are we heading then? What about our future teens?
Was Steve Jobs able to upgrade Moses’ tablet?
89 — DUST23
washing?Brain90 — DUST23
91 — DUST23
92 — DUST23
A Blueprint for sustainable
When I joined the international team of Hilfsver ein Nymphenburg, I was privileged to be part of a team that has continued to make decisions and implemented development projects that have directly affected the very rural vulnerable com munities like the one I come from. It’s here that I came face to face with nomadic young children who had never thought of joining school, smiling happily now in clean blue school uniforms. This is a future generation of empowered com munities that is slowly beginning to change the narratives of their lived realities. I cannot forget the joy and celebration that I witnessed in the mountainous community of Atapar (Turkana North). Previously the women walked 8 kilo metres every day in search of water, until we finally brought a drilling machine and struck water in their village!
As we launch this new exciting project, I have the confidence that this is what our communities need. This has very little to do with communities receiving aid, which I grew up with and which has proven to be unsustainable. Value Villages comes in to empower communities with a full set of measures to help to be self-reliant. I believe in Value Villages because it’s built on a strong foundation of our experiences and lessons learnt through daily interaction with local communi ties. This requires the adaptation to projects that meet the local needs, circumstances and social contexts. Help us change our narrative, I believe my people have the potential to add value to this planet!
Brizan Were Project Manager Value Villages
I grew up in this small rural fishing village at the shores of lake Turkana. The village is blessed with beautiful landscape and rich culture. Unfortu nately, malnutrition, poor fishing practices, poor infrastructure and negligence have invited pov erty and left my local community unable to take advantage of economic opportunities.
Ludwig Bayern Project StiftungDirectorHilfsverein Nymphenburg
WELCOME TO VALUE VILLAGES 93 — DUST23
In my home of Bavaria, we are proud of our traditions and love our home. In Africa, I find this same pride and sense of belonging from the people that live here. Even though their life is full of hardship, they stay grounded and resist the temptation of leaving their native region on the false promise of a better future elsewhere. However, the demographic explosion in this area is a problem that cannot be ignored and has the potential to be one of the greatest challenges of our generation. With every second child for the next decades being born in Africa, the largest number in impoverished areas, the resulting mi grations and conflicts can rip more than one continent apart. How to make it possible for people to stay in their home region, or even to return there in the future, is one of the more difficult questions. Especially if these areas lack all in frastructure and necessities of a working society. It is, however, a question that needs to be asked. Value Villages is the best response the Hilfsverein Nymphenburg can give. We combined years of experience, especially from our local partner organizations, with new ways to solve problems and new technological opportunities. While es pecially the Fair Trade income generating aspect and the reporting data collection mechanism of the project are innovative, it also entails many classic interventions, such as the construction of schools and access to water. I want to thank all the supporters both in Africa and Europe, with out whom this initiative could never have been launched. My special thanks goes to the initiators of the charity auction “Helfen Ohne Limit”, it was the necessary push to get a project like this under way.
94 — DUST23
Value Villages
MAG095.DUST23
Within the next 25 years the population of Africa will roughly double from 1 to 2 Billion, with most babies being born in rural villages. These rapidly growing communities can either become desert slums dependent on Western Food Aid, or… Value Villages.
Since 2011 the German foundation Hilfsverein Nymphenburg has made East Africa one of its focus regions for funding projects. Our special advantage was, that we were working with a variety of very different partner organizations, such as Catholic Missionaries, Agriculture Organ izations from Israel, local governments, and small Self-Help groups from local communities. All of them had a different structure and approach to tackle the same basic problems.
95 — DUST23
In 2018 the Board decided to use all this experi ence, including the knowledge of all our partners, to create a new framework for our projects: Value Villages. It will bring about a better cooperation between our partner organizations and help to fill in the gaps on the path to more sustainable development, with new and specifically designed projects that aim to tackle adult education and income generation. Value Villages will officially be launched on the 85th Birthday of Duke Francis of Bavaria, the Chairman of Hilfsverein Nymphenburg and for the first time be presented at the Charity Auction Helfen ohne Limit.
ORIGIN OF VALUE VILLAGES
Child Nutrition
A FOR EVERY VILLAGE
first intervention we must work on at many of the selected communities. Without the ability to send vehicles for construction, and later for trade, there is not much that can be done. For example, our target area, Tambura, is in a jungle with almost no roads, clearing a road as a first step is essential.
Clean Water
is the
Child nutrition is a top priority. We experience child mortality rates of up to 30%, mostly due to malnutrition. While the government is supposed to provide food for all school children, they are often unable to provide this service and there is absolutely no aid for the new-born until the age of four.
Road Access
Health Services
96 — DUST23
Clean drinking water is the basis for any sustainable development. Depending on the village location we aim to drill whateverrainwatercatchmentsoralternatives,boreholes,worksbestforthesecommunities.Eventhoughitmightsoundtrivial,roadaccess
Access to even the most basic health services is unknown to many of our selected communities. Most children have not seen a doctor or even a nurse in their life. Using expert partner organizations, we try to ensure that all beneficiaries get regular check-ups, that local dispensaries are created and emergency procedures are defined.
PATH
We need to ensure that there is an opportunity for primary school education which is in walking distance of the village. However, for locations where there are few households only, boarding schools would be ideal.
Secondary Education
Access to secondary school education for those children who have had promising results in primary is needed. Since it is not possible to construct a secondary school in every location, our activity here will focus on constructing secondary schools with boarding facilities in the region or to expand existing schools.
Primary School
Kindergarten
Having a kindergarten in each village contributes by freeing up mothers so that they can engage in education and income generating activities; it also contributes to better health for the children which leads to better odds for a good start to their primary education.
Adult Education
We aim at creating education and business opportunitiesfortheilliterate resourcesarewhatkindofincomegeneratingactivitieseachindividualenvironmentalopportunitiesforpopulation.Eventually,dependingontheadultvillage,wewillbeabletoanalyzeeconomicalandsustainablewiththelocallyavailable.
TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 97 — DUST23
98 — DUST23
This however does not mean the dream cannot come true. “The Wakanda Girls Secondary School” at the shore of lake Turkana will be the first fully digital girl school in Kenya, with every desk and classroom fully equipped with a networked computer system and a large variety of digital extracurricular activity.
99 — DUST23
Wakanda is a fictional African country from the Marvel comics and the hit movie “Black Panther”. It masquerades as a developing country, while truly being the most technological advanced nation in the world. In fiction it is located around lake Turkana, but in the real world, the region is one of the poorest in Africa.
WAKANDA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
At Loropio we are creating sustainable value villages where the local community is being empowered through agricul ture and value addition to improve their income. We have constructed a modern ECDE where the mothers leave their children in the morning and get to their places of work.
ChickenGeneralnetsfeeds
We have constructed ten shed nets as pilot project through the funding from Stiftung Hilfsverein Nymphenburg (Germany). The projects targets to benefit at least 10 households directly by working in the farms and harvesting the profits.
To make maximum use of wastes from our fish factory, we are manufacturing chicken feeds from the wastes including the borns. Fish meals have been recommended as the best feeds for the chicken. With the feeds we are going to sell the feeds to our value village chicken farms at affordable rates hence increasing their profit margin.
Shed
Loropio digital ECDE
This will take care of our young angels at Loropio where children from our Learning Lions campus and the local community will get better learning. It’s a partnership with the Turkana County Government department of Early childhood education.
We are still in the pilot phase of 630 chickens from different varieties of chickens and also from different production companies to see which variety best suites our environment. Once we have identified the best variety we shall get into full scale chicken rearing. The concept is to get all our value villages with at least 10,000 capacity chicken rearing farm in the next one year.
Chicken farm
Moses, based doexactandFromLions.throughtohefourstartedTurkana/Kenya,inphotographyyearsagowhenwasgivenachancebeempoweredLearningallover,hisworkisdefinedbylovehappiness.Hebelievesthereisnopointtostartfollowingyourpassion,itanywhereandkeepmovingforward.
Photography Moses Mbotela Story Francoblanco MBOTELAMOSES 102 — DUST23
103 — DUST23
“ Where there is light, there is photography” 104 — DUST23
105 — DUST23
“As a photographer, you always get to have the best gift of all, we create memories that last forever.”
a studio is a very good step since it’s one of your offices as a photographer. But doing business is another level. For the first few months you will have to do free work for clients and have a lot of material so you can have photography rates. Now I am happy and opportunities arise at Lollie Group Africa where I work as I am getting clients who actually pay within Turkana and the outside counties.
106 — DUST23
Startingmood.
My inspiration comes from a lot of things, situations and environments. For the past few years I have been inspired by the nature and culture of people around me. I don’t have specific subjects and do differ ent types of photography, from portrait to product and events. Learning never stops in the world of photography. From books to the internet, new and fresh ideas pop up just like technology, changing daily. Sometimes people rate pictures on differ ent levels but I believe a good picture that stands out is based on creativity, light and
107 — DUST23
+25492718426mbotelamoses@gmail.com/+254720097055 Instagram: photography.by.mbotela Facebook: Mbotela Moses 108 — DUST23
109 — DUST23
Photography, Story
Illustration
Layout,Layout
Layout, Story Layout, Layout,Layout,PhotographyStoryStoryIllustration, Story
Editor
THE THANKTEAMYOU
Layout, Photography, Story
We would like to thank everyone who believes in our project, who bought our magazines and who supported us during the creation of this issue. Furthermore we would like to thank all donors of the first GoFundMe campaign, Ludwig for organizing the shipping of the magazines in the container, Sophie for proofreading the texts, Thorsten for the great printing cost support and Martin and the whole forvert team for their support! Last but not least many thanks to our families and friends supporting us on our creative journey and believing in us.
Dust23_magazineinfo@dust23.comdust23.com INCUBATED BY