Students get expressive at Community Poetry Workshops

Over September and October, Community Poet Tony Hillier from the UK has been conducting poetry workshops for Hatua’s students at the Likoni Youth Empowerment Center.

During the first two workshops in September, Tony introduced the students to Community Poetry, an art form that enhances formal and informal education through the power of poetry. By encouraging self expression, community issues are raised in a safe environment and achievements are celebrated.

Students discuss the art of poetry in its different forms, and are encouraged to compose their own poems with Tony’s support.

The students are really enjoying the freedom of these sessions, and are producing some great poetry. Check out some of their work below about Hatua Likoni, Likoni, education and Kenya.

Thank you Tony!

Here is a small selection...

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Hatua is like a river flowing in a desert
cherishing our African roots
building our personalities
making us important persons
in the society filled by illiteracy
a dream come true but not a fantasy

Hatua is like a mother breastfeeding
feeding us with knowledge
knowledge to a great college
WOW! opening doors to the world
unveiling our inner potential

Hatua is like an oxygen cylinder
without it no life
a patient dies in silent death
Thanks to Hatua
poverty has no room

Sheila Kioko Abigael

Likoni

Likoni is like a shade of tree
where people don't stay permanent
because it is engulfed with a lot of slums
It is the land of the poor
where rich people are rare
Many come here just for a tour
but they have their homes there

There are a lot of investors
and a lot of sponsors
to support the poor peasants
and those who are learners
Surely most of the residents
are not the pure settlers
but only passers by

Sulleiman Musa 

Kenyan Changes

My country is rich
with a lot of beauty
Something destroys it.
Corruption is the game
our leaders play

Something I will change
is the tiresome education system
Something else I will change
is tribalism and racism
We in Kenya have a lot of work to do

Peace and harmony
is what we want
All are welcome in our peaceful country
making Kenya the place to be

Athman Mohammed

Education, key to success

We children have a right to be educated
but due to high levels of poverty
our dreams are vanishing to nowhere

Thanks to Hatua Likoni, slowly by slowly
We are going to be what we dreamt of
Through education we will be what we want

We are the people who are going to change Likoni
as fortune knocks once at every man's door
Let's use the opportunity of scholarship
and be someone important to Likoni

For everyone is wishing to be useful
and important in their community
education really is the key to success.

am thinking I have to iron my school uniform and have a lot to do today

Fridah Makokha

My Country Kenya

My country Kenya, I love it.
It is like a shining star in the sea
full of wealth and blessings
I love my country

A country full of honey flowing,
beautiful scenery and natural resources
Truly, I love my country

Kenya is like a highway passing
across the sea of success.
Appearing from each corner of the horizon
here come different tribes full of thoughts,
habits and characters to achieve their destiny
Surely, I love my country

Samuel Kimwele