Shinda Strives to Conquer Poverty Among Artists

from All Africa

The Nation (Nairobi)

By Tim Kamuzu Banda
Nairobi

Making sketches and painting have been part of 23-year-old Cliff Olegwa's life for as long as he can remember.

In his very own words, it is not for the prizes he has been winning or the recognition, but for the satisfaction that he derives from art.

Equally talented and just as passionate is Paul Douglas Kihito who says he knows no other source of satisfaction than being able to translate ideas and thoughts into sketches and paintings.

He too has been the recipient of a number of awards right from primary school.

However, just like to many talented young Kenyans, being able to earn a living from the God-given talent is never easy. This was the artsists' predicament until an idea conceived by a Canadian advertising executive changed their lives.

Poor backgrounds

When she first came to Kenya several years ago, Susan Stanfield fell in love with the country but, as she says, this meant accepting the reality of the kind of life that people from disadvantaged backgrounds have to live.

But she is not one to look at sorry circumstances and just walk away. She was determined to do something about it.

"Naturally, coming from a First World country, it would be easy for one to be content with the fact that my country gives aid to Kenya, but that is not me.

"I felt I could do something," she recalls.

Upon her return home in July 2004, she founded an organisation to find a market for artworks done by groups that she had identified in Maralal.

"It was hard to sell the idea initially, but amazingly, we managed to sell artwork worth Sh1.2 million in 2004 alone," she says.

High-flying job

The following year, she decided to quit her high-flying job as an advertising and branding executive with one of the biggest brands in North America, and moved to Kenya where she founded Shinda, a Swahili word meaning conquer.

She envisioned a design company that would give young talented Kenyans a platform to pursue their talent and make a living from it.

This too was quite a challenge because she did not have ready start-up money, but the urge to do go on was so strong that Stanfield invested $60,000 (about Sh4 million) of her own savings.

"My Idea was not just to give these young people the opportunity, but also to equip them with development skills and business training to be able to go on and form enterprises," explains Stanfield of the organisation that is based in Nairobi but works with young people all over the country.

She focuses on enhancing African youths economic ability by selling their artwork worldwide in line with the motto, Trade Not Aid, on which Shinda was founded.

This hard work has started paying off, as the organisation has been able to find market for the youngsters' artwork through exhibitions.

The artists recently found a breakthrough when they were invited by Fairmount Hotels and Resort to showcase their work in Kenya.

That partnership provides an opportunity for youths to showcase their artistic skills as well as generate income from a series of exhibitions to be hosted at Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi.

At the moment, the works may be bought at the hotel's gift shop.

Six youngsters

Amongst the group from Shinda are six youngsters, including Olegwa and Kihito who have done three eye-catching paintings depicting the Norfolk in 1904, 1907 and 1946.

The portraits are hung on the iron sheet wall cordoning off the refurbishment area.

"We are glad to be given the opportunity to share our vision with our partners," says Stanfield.

"Most of our youths are disadvantaged in one way or another, and we simply provide them with an opportunity to improve their lives and offer hope."

Another aspect Shinda has incorporated is fashion design, and this has made it possible for young girls like Olive Nakanja, who is from a dressmaking background but did not have the platform to make this a viable income-generating engagement.

Through her international connection, Stanfield has been able to have some of the youngsters' works sold abroad.

Olegwa and Kihito have seen their life change for the better and are now looking to the future with confidence.

The cheapest piece Olegwa has sold went for Sh20,000, while Kihito's was sold for Sh4,000.

Some of the youngsters, including 28 year-old Samuel Ouko, have been able to add professional training to their natural talent by attending courses at the Buru Buru Institute of Fine Arts.

Significantly, and just like his colleagues, Ouko has been able to fund his education through proceeds from his artwork.

"Shinda has changed my life in so many ways, including widening my scope and equipping me with the skills to turn my talent in to something that I can earn a living from," says Kihito, underscoring the inspiration Stanfield has given all of them.

Private sector

Stanfield's mind is focused on making the organisation bigger to accommodate many more than the 40 young people. She urges the private sector in Kenya to come on board.

Going by what she has done to the youngsters and her determination to do more to help young people of a poor background.

And this she is doing because she feels as much Kenyan as Canadian.