Samosa FestivalFebruary 1, 2024
SAMOSA FESTIVAL-St John Primary School- Korogocho
Location
Korogocho, Nairobi
Attendees
Students and teachers of St John Primary School
Synopsis of the Performance
The session started with bonding and ice-breaker activities to build trust and rapport. We then had a puppetry performance addressing the struggles children face in informal settlements—including parental conflict, lack of basic needs, predisposing factors for child labor, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, negative peer pressure, and school dropout, and how these affect safety and education. The session concluded with students agreeing that education is fundamental and seeking third-party help is key.
Interactive Dialogue with Pupils
What did you learn from the performance / what message were they trying to drive?
- When parents conflict or fight at home, it negatively affects our mental health and school life.
- Extreme poverty and lack of food can push children to steal, which is wrong.
- We must support and look out for our siblings in tough times.
What would you have done if you were in Abu and his sister's situation?
- Talk to a trusted teacher, neighbor, or relative for assistance.
- Ask friends at school if they could share extra food instead of stealing.
- Borrow food or seek help from community food banks.
- Give parents space to cool down before trying to talk to them.
What are some of the long-term effects of family conflict and poverty on children?
- Inability to concentrate in class and falling grades.
- Falling into a cycle of negative thoughts and feeling hopeless.
- Thinking of dropping out of school to escape the pressure.
- Poor hygiene and coming to school unkempt, leading to punishment.
- Early marriages and teenage pregnancies (sometimes due to transactional sex for survival).
- Running away from home to live on the streets.
What can you do to protect your education and safety?
- Stay focused on school despite the chaos at home.
- Avoid taking sides in parental conflicts.
- Talk openly to teachers so they understand why we might be late or look untidy.
- Approach trusted community figures or guidance counselors for help.
Achievements & Impact
- Created a safe space for students to share very real, relatable experiences.
- The teachers requested regular engagements, noting that insecurity and child neglect are highly prevalent in the area.