Samosa FestivalJuly 13, 2023
SAMOSA FESTIVAL-Old Kibera Primary School
Location
Kibera, Nairobi
Attendees
50-60 students, 3 teachers, 10 Plan International representatives
Synopsis of the Performance
The performance was centered on Ngwaci whose father is an alcoholic. He is dirty and his school uniform is torn. His father introduces him to alcohol by lying that it was tea. His school performance drops significantly from being the top student to the bottom student. His schoolmates talk to him and he agrees to report his problems to the class teacher, who invites Ngwaci's dad for a meeting to discuss the future of his child.
Interactive Dialogue with Pupils
What did you learn from the performance / what message were they trying to drive?
- The effects of drugs, substance, and alcohol abuse.
- Abuse of drugs and alcohol is harmful to our health.
- Taking drugs and alcohol is bad and affects our future.
What are some of the factors contributing to drugs, substance, and alcohol abuse among students in primary school?
- Peer pressure from friends already abusing drugs, especially during holidays and weekends.
- Parental influence; we see Ngwaci's father giving him alcohol and lying that it was tea.
- Curiosity; students wanting to experience what it feels like to take drugs and alcohol.
- Stress influenced by family problems at home or relationships in schools.
- Parental neglect leading to children seeking belonging in drug-abusing peer groups.
What are some of the effects of drugs, substance, and alcohol abuse?
- Drop in performance (poor academic performance); Ngwaci dropped to 58 out of 59 due to stress.
- Reporting late to school as a result of sleeping late waiting for parents, or noise at home.
- Isolation and loss of friends as a result of stress and gossip.
- Poor hygiene; coming to school unkempt and dirty due to lack of parental guidance.
- Increased risk of addiction and abuse as a child is exposed to substances early.
How can we prevent the abuse of drugs and substance use?
- By listening to friends and offering them support when they have issues.
- Referring peers to teachers or counselors when we notice they are struggling.
- Education; learning about the health hazards of drugs (lung cancer, bronchitis, etc.).
- Avoiding peer pressure from friends who abuse drugs.
- Engaging trusted family members or adults to intervene when parents are abusing drugs.
Achievements & Impact
- Successfully engaged students and teachers in an interactive dialogue.
- The school administration expressed gratitude and requested regular follow-up sessions on life skills.