Thursday, March 20, 2008
Abel Rakotomalala Interview
An interview with Abel Rakotomalala, Madagascar Councilor, Nairobi, Kenya about the cancellation of Air Madagascar flight service to Kenya.
Nairobi Web Video Workshop Complete
Our web video workshop in Nairobi came to a close Tuesday. Participants, pictured left to right included: (front row) George Arende, Xavier Ravelomanantsoa, Mammy Ranaivoson,Christine Mangale, (back row) Andy Hinderlie, Abraham Data, Len Mason, David Ntidendeza and myself.
Workshop participants learned to shoot, edit and upload video the web. Training also included a digital photography session with freelance journalist Stephen Padre, a web development session with Len Mason, lots of good East African food, fellowship and memories.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Nairobi Web Video Workshop Photo Essay
As our web video workshop draws to a close here in Nairobi, Kenya, I've put together a random photo essay documenting some of the places we visited, the people we met and images of our participants in action.
The music is a Maasai children's choir we recorded at the Olerum Lutheran Church in Kajiado Parish. Other images include a market in Nairobi, life in a traditional Maasai home, and participants editing video clips at the Methodist Guest House Conference Center in Nairobi. The Maasai are an indigenous African ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania.
www.frakesproductions.com
The music is a Maasai children's choir we recorded at the Olerum Lutheran Church in Kajiado Parish. Other images include a market in Nairobi, life in a traditional Maasai home, and participants editing video clips at the Methodist Guest House Conference Center in Nairobi. The Maasai are an indigenous African ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania.
www.frakesproductions.com
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Nairobi Masaai Market
Vendors at the Masaai Market in Nairobi, Kenya are struggling because business is slow following post election violence and global competition from new, Western style shopping centers.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Workshop Begins
Members of the Nairobi Web Video Workshop unpack and examine new audio/video equipment on day one. Look for participant videos later in the week. Pictured in this photo are Abraham Data, Xavier Ravelomanantsoa, Andy Hinderlie, George Arende, Christine Mangale, David Ntidendeza, and Mammy Ranaivoson.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Lutheran Toy Makers
The Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church operates a woodworking shop at its head office in Nariobi, Kenya. The project provides jobs and income generation for at risk youth.
Greeting from George Arende
George Arende heads the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELK) communication department. His responsibilities include the KELC website, print material, including brochures and newsletters. George also serves as the KELC HIV/AIDS coordinator implementing HIV/AIDS projects for the church. In an additional role, George works with Action By Churches Together (ACT) reporting on humanitarian concerns in Kenya. From 2004-2005 George worked for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) at the Geneva offices where he helped implement a youth program. George is single and praying with eyes open.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
YouTubeing East Africa
Internet video is changing the world. As developing nations leapfrog old communication technology in favor of new, digital Internet based forms of telling the story, a window of opportunity opens. In the fall of 2006 I was in Kitgum, Northern Uganda shooting footage for a documentary about forgiveness in the aftermath of war. During our visit, we shot, edited and uploaded short video clips from a tiny, phone line connected Internet café on the dusty streets of Kitgum.My Kenyan friend George Arende and I got to thinking… “If we can upload video clips from this rural outpost, why not share the technology and allow East African’s to upload their own stories?”
Later conversations with staff from ELCA Global Mission and the ELCA World Hunger Appeal led to a grant, which allowed me to purchase four high-powered laptop computers, video cameras and software.
In March 2008, George, a web developer friend Len Mason, myself and five East Africans from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Madagascar will meet in Nairobi. We will spend four days at the Methodist Guest House, shooting, editing and uploading video clips to the Internet. When the workshop is over, the team will return home with their equipment, charged with the mission of teaching others how to use it.
Originally we planned the workshop for January 2008. However, the post election violence in Kenya forced a postponement. The chaos underscores the need for clear communication. By March, we trust things will have calmed down and our project will move forward.
The East Africans I have met are smart and technologically savvy - they just don't have the right tools. Equipped with proper technology, perhaps African can begin to solve problems on its own.
www.frakesproductions.com
Later conversations with staff from ELCA Global Mission and the ELCA World Hunger Appeal led to a grant, which allowed me to purchase four high-powered laptop computers, video cameras and software.
In March 2008, George, a web developer friend Len Mason, myself and five East Africans from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Madagascar will meet in Nairobi. We will spend four days at the Methodist Guest House, shooting, editing and uploading video clips to the Internet. When the workshop is over, the team will return home with their equipment, charged with the mission of teaching others how to use it.
Originally we planned the workshop for January 2008. However, the post election violence in Kenya forced a postponement. The chaos underscores the need for clear communication. By March, we trust things will have calmed down and our project will move forward.
The East Africans I have met are smart and technologically savvy - they just don't have the right tools. Equipped with proper technology, perhaps African can begin to solve problems on its own.
www.frakesproductions.com
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Workshop Postponment
Unfortunately the unstable political situation in Nairobi Kenya forces us to postpone our Web Video Training Workshop scheduled for January 16-22, 2008. At the request of the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church and out of concerns for our
safety and well being, we have agreed to look for a suitable date in March, 2008.
Please continue to look to this web site and direct email communication for updates.
Tim Frakes
www.frakesproductions.com
safety and well being, we have agreed to look for a suitable date in March, 2008.
Please continue to look to this web site and direct email communication for updates.
Tim Frakes
www.frakesproductions.com
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Election riots ‘cost Kenya up to $1bn’
Election riots ‘cost Kenya up to $1bn’
George Obulutsa
Reuters
NAIROBI — Kenya’s post-election violence might have cost the economy up to $1bn, Finance Minister Amos Kimunya said , as Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga rejected bilateral talks with the country’s president yesterday.
“It’s an estimate of the slowdown in the economy because of loss of production. My estimate was that about $1b n may have been lost,” Kimunya said. He said the estimate did not factor in destruction by looters who went on the rampage when President Mwai Kibaki was pronounced the winner of the December 27 vote, but did take into account two extra election-related public holidays. “I expect whether it’s within the next couple of months or within a year ... that people will be able to recoup all that,” Kimunya said.
Three days after the election Kenya’s business community said the government was losing taxes worth 2-billion shillings ($30,42m ) a day due to the unrest. But there has been a gradual return to normality in east Africa’s biggest economy, with currency and stock markets reporting higher volumes as trade resumed in earnest this week. The weekly tea auction, which serves Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania among others, resumed on Monday after being postponed. Kimunya later told a news conference the economy was forecast to grow about 7% this year, similar to growth estimates for last year — but slightly lower than the central bank’s projection of 8% growth this year. Official growth figures for last year have not yet been released.
“We are encouraged that Kenyans are actively bringing to an end the recent unrest, and the growth forecast … may not be significantly affected.”
Affected sectors include tourism, transport, telecommunications, agriculture, manufacturing and the financial sector. Kimunya said emergency government relief to the hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by the unrest would not greatly affect its budget deficit, put at 109,8- billion shillings in the 2007-08 fiscal year, thanks to extra revenues. “Fortunately we have also had some windfalls. For example, we sold Telkom Kenya for much more than we expected,” he said. Last month a consortium led by France Telecom paid $390m for a 51% stake in Telkom Kenya. The government had a reserve price of $300m .
Kimunya said higher tax revenue collections would also help cushion the extra spending, while plans for a $300m Eurobond early this year would boost infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Odinga yesterday rejected bilateral talks with Kibaki, dimming hopes for a breakthrough to end turmoil that has led to almost 500 deaths. Odinga insists on international mediation and a new poll. Kibaki had invited Odinga to talks on Friday, but the opposition leader said he would only go to negotiations mediated by African Union chairman John Kufuor, who was expected in Nairobi yesterday.
“We want to engage in the negotiations under Mr Kufuor with utmost seriousness to make sure no stone remains unturned in the search for electoral justice,” Odinga said.
George Obulutsa
Reuters
NAIROBI — Kenya’s post-election violence might have cost the economy up to $1bn, Finance Minister Amos Kimunya said , as Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga rejected bilateral talks with the country’s president yesterday.
“It’s an estimate of the slowdown in the economy because of loss of production. My estimate was that about $1b n may have been lost,” Kimunya said. He said the estimate did not factor in destruction by looters who went on the rampage when President Mwai Kibaki was pronounced the winner of the December 27 vote, but did take into account two extra election-related public holidays. “I expect whether it’s within the next couple of months or within a year ... that people will be able to recoup all that,” Kimunya said.
Three days after the election Kenya’s business community said the government was losing taxes worth 2-billion shillings ($30,42m ) a day due to the unrest. But there has been a gradual return to normality in east Africa’s biggest economy, with currency and stock markets reporting higher volumes as trade resumed in earnest this week. The weekly tea auction, which serves Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania among others, resumed on Monday after being postponed. Kimunya later told a news conference the economy was forecast to grow about 7% this year, similar to growth estimates for last year — but slightly lower than the central bank’s projection of 8% growth this year. Official growth figures for last year have not yet been released.
“We are encouraged that Kenyans are actively bringing to an end the recent unrest, and the growth forecast … may not be significantly affected.”
Affected sectors include tourism, transport, telecommunications, agriculture, manufacturing and the financial sector. Kimunya said emergency government relief to the hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by the unrest would not greatly affect its budget deficit, put at 109,8- billion shillings in the 2007-08 fiscal year, thanks to extra revenues. “Fortunately we have also had some windfalls. For example, we sold Telkom Kenya for much more than we expected,” he said. Last month a consortium led by France Telecom paid $390m for a 51% stake in Telkom Kenya. The government had a reserve price of $300m .
Kimunya said higher tax revenue collections would also help cushion the extra spending, while plans for a $300m Eurobond early this year would boost infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Odinga yesterday rejected bilateral talks with Kibaki, dimming hopes for a breakthrough to end turmoil that has led to almost 500 deaths. Odinga insists on international mediation and a new poll. Kibaki had invited Odinga to talks on Friday, but the opposition leader said he would only go to negotiations mediated by African Union chairman John Kufuor, who was expected in Nairobi yesterday.
“We want to engage in the negotiations under Mr Kufuor with utmost seriousness to make sure no stone remains unturned in the search for electoral justice,” Odinga said.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Workshop Schedule
Wednesday, January 16, 2007
9:30 a.m. Andy Hinderlie and Xaivier Ravelomanantsoa arrive in Nairobi via Air Madagascar flight 138. Habari Yako Gabriel from Just Connections Car Rental (justconnections2001@yahoo.com) will provide transportation to the Methodist Guest House. Lavington Green, Oloitokitok Road, Off Gitanga Road. Ph: +254 (20) 3871080,3877779,3875979,3870479,3877700.
E-mail: reservations@methodistguesthouse.org
Web: www.methodistguesthouse.org
8:10 p.m. Tim Frakes and Len Mason Arrive in Nairobi via KLM flight, Habari Yako Gabriel from Just Connections Car Rental (justconnections2001@yahoo.com) will provide transportation to the Methodist Guest House. Methodist Guest House. Lavington Green, Oloitokitok Road, Off Gitanga Road. Ph: +254 (20) 3871080,3877779,3875979,3870479,3877700.
E-mail: reservations@methodistguesthouse.org
Web: www.methodistguesthouse.org
Thursday, January 17
8:00 a.m. Tim, Len, Andy and George meet, review project, site survey.
12:00 p.m. Ato Abraham Data arrives via Air Ethiopia flight 801.
3:45 p.m. Rev. David Ntidendeza arrives via Kenya Airways flight 474.
Yako Gabriel from Just Connections Car Rental
(justconnections2001@yahoo.com) will provide transportation to the Methodist Guest House. Methodist Guest House. Lavington Green, Oloitokitok Road, Off Gitanga Road. Ph: +254 (20) 3871080,3877779,3875979,3870479,3877700.
E-mail: reservations@methodistguesthouse.org
Web: www.methodistguesthouse.org
Friday, January 18,
Session One
8:00 a.m. Devotions (Any Hinderlie)
8:15 a.m. Introductions, discussion of expectations
8:45 a.m. Vision and Expectations (Tim Frakes)
9:30 a.m. Introduction to Flip Video, camera techniques, importing (Tim, Len)
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Equipment distribution, laptop, camera, etc.
10:30 a.m. Pinnacle PIS11SW Studio v11 Video Editing Software
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Continue Pinnacle Video Editing Software (Tim, Len)
2:00 p.m. Uploading video to the web (Len)
3:00 p.m. Practical exercise (Participants shoot, edit and prepare 30-60
second video for upload.)
4:30 p.m. Feedback
5:00 p.m. Dinner
Saturday, January 19
Session Two
8:00 a.m. Devotions (Andy)
8:30 a.m. Discussion (How can we use this technology in the African context?)
9:00 a.m. Pinnacle PIS11SW Studio v11 Video Editing Software part 2.
10:00 a.m. break
10:15 a.m. Web site development (Len)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Travel to location (TBA) to shoot story number 1.
2:00 p.m. Arrive location (TBA), record footage for story
5:00 p.m. Return to base camp
5:45 p.m. Feedback
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Sunday, January 20
8:00 a.m. Worship (Location to be determined)
10:00 a.m. Editing footage from previous day (Tim and Len supervise)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Free time
5:00 p.m. Travel to location (TBA) to shoot story number 2 and 3
8:00 p.m. wrap, return to base camp
Monday, January 21
8:00 a.m. Devotions (Andy)
8:15 a.m. Feedback from previous day
8:30 a.m. Edit/upload footage from story number 2.
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Edit/upload footage from story number 3.
5:00 p.m. Dinner
Tuesday, January 22
8:00 a.m. Devotions
8:15 a.m. Still photography and story telling.
9:00 a.m. Share work with participants.
10:00 a.m. Training of Trainers
12:00 p.m. wrap
9:30 a.m. Andy Hinderlie and Xaivier Ravelomanantsoa arrive in Nairobi via Air Madagascar flight 138. Habari Yako Gabriel from Just Connections Car Rental (justconnections2001@yahoo.com) will provide transportation to the Methodist Guest House. Lavington Green, Oloitokitok Road, Off Gitanga Road. Ph: +254 (20) 3871080,3877779,3875979,3870479,3877700.
E-mail: reservations@methodistguesthouse.org
Web: www.methodistguesthouse.org
8:10 p.m. Tim Frakes and Len Mason Arrive in Nairobi via KLM flight, Habari Yako Gabriel from Just Connections Car Rental (justconnections2001@yahoo.com) will provide transportation to the Methodist Guest House. Methodist Guest House. Lavington Green, Oloitokitok Road, Off Gitanga Road. Ph: +254 (20) 3871080,3877779,3875979,3870479,3877700.
E-mail: reservations@methodistguesthouse.org
Web: www.methodistguesthouse.org
Thursday, January 17
8:00 a.m. Tim, Len, Andy and George meet, review project, site survey.
12:00 p.m. Ato Abraham Data arrives via Air Ethiopia flight 801.
3:45 p.m. Rev. David Ntidendeza arrives via Kenya Airways flight 474.
Yako Gabriel from Just Connections Car Rental
(justconnections2001@yahoo.com) will provide transportation to the Methodist Guest House. Methodist Guest House. Lavington Green, Oloitokitok Road, Off Gitanga Road. Ph: +254 (20) 3871080,3877779,3875979,3870479,3877700.
E-mail: reservations@methodistguesthouse.org
Web: www.methodistguesthouse.org
Friday, January 18,
Session One
8:00 a.m. Devotions (Any Hinderlie)
8:15 a.m. Introductions, discussion of expectations
8:45 a.m. Vision and Expectations (Tim Frakes)
9:30 a.m. Introduction to Flip Video, camera techniques, importing (Tim, Len)
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Equipment distribution, laptop, camera, etc.
10:30 a.m. Pinnacle PIS11SW Studio v11 Video Editing Software
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Continue Pinnacle Video Editing Software (Tim, Len)
2:00 p.m. Uploading video to the web (Len)
3:00 p.m. Practical exercise (Participants shoot, edit and prepare 30-60
second video for upload.)
4:30 p.m. Feedback
5:00 p.m. Dinner
Saturday, January 19
Session Two
8:00 a.m. Devotions (Andy)
8:30 a.m. Discussion (How can we use this technology in the African context?)
9:00 a.m. Pinnacle PIS11SW Studio v11 Video Editing Software part 2.
10:00 a.m. break
10:15 a.m. Web site development (Len)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Travel to location (TBA) to shoot story number 1.
2:00 p.m. Arrive location (TBA), record footage for story
5:00 p.m. Return to base camp
5:45 p.m. Feedback
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Sunday, January 20
8:00 a.m. Worship (Location to be determined)
10:00 a.m. Editing footage from previous day (Tim and Len supervise)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Free time
5:00 p.m. Travel to location (TBA) to shoot story number 2 and 3
8:00 p.m. wrap, return to base camp
Monday, January 21
8:00 a.m. Devotions (Andy)
8:15 a.m. Feedback from previous day
8:30 a.m. Edit/upload footage from story number 2.
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Edit/upload footage from story number 3.
5:00 p.m. Dinner
Tuesday, January 22
8:00 a.m. Devotions
8:15 a.m. Still photography and story telling.
9:00 a.m. Share work with participants.
10:00 a.m. Training of Trainers
12:00 p.m. wrap
Accommodations
The Methodist Guest House and Conference Centre in Nairobi is a Christian institution whose mission is to provide and promote quality and competitive service in a friendly, pleasant and quiet environment. There are 84 fully furnished self-contained rooms, each supplied with a telephone service. Television sets have been installed in the rooms to provide national and global news and a rich mix of entertaining programs to our esteemed guest. Our location in the exclusive Lavington suburb provides a unique and ideal distraction-free, tranquil and serene environment.
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