Fidele

 

Help me wish Fidel Wabenga a happy belated birthday.

August 12, 2018seasonofthetimemediaproductions

Happy belated birthday to you FIDEL STMP.

I remember the first time i met you in Kakuma, who would have thought you would at this day be the Producer of Season of the Time, and who would have thought you’d be this wonderful friend and best teacher to the many kids in Kakuma?

Fidel at the front door of Season of the Time Studio

I remember that day, when i had just finished working and walking home and the first thing i heard from my friends was that the only place we used to do rehearsals was now a no man’s land to be distributed to new arrivals, i was shocked because there was no place as nice and quiet and with a refreshing shade as the one we had just lost but because i was tired and it was already late, i decided to go home and sleep.

The following morning of October 2013, as soon as the sun rose i was outside checking out who just invaded our kingdom and i was welcomed by these smily people talking to me and apologising for being taking over our place, at first i was not only surprised because nobody really apologises for something they are not responsible of doing, but also because i wasn’t sure how they found out who i was. Then from a corner came Fidel, he was younger then and he said hello.

Fidel 2013

He was younger then, but somehow the way his family was speaking with me i felt like they were really good people, and i was happy to have new people and hoped we would become friends sooner. I left not long later as i had to get ready for work, i mean to go and open the studio.

Around December 2013 that year, as i was planning to recruit new members, i walked towards the new arrival area trying to let them know about my project and ask if they knew of any kids with skills in acting that would want to join our program, that same day i got about 10 kids for the families of the just arrived and later Fidel came to see me and asked if he could join the program, i told him it was only for the children younger than 15 years of age, i saw the look on his face, he was disappointed.

As the new recruits arrived and the program started in late January 2014, i was out of members and people to assist when on the field, so i spoke with Fidel and asked him if he would instead take the role to of helping with the light and carrying equipments when i am out filming or photographing weddings and that, he didn’t wait to hear me finish talking and his answer was a big YES.

Me with the just arrived boys with Fidel on the right.

I never trained Fidel more than just computer skills, but then i was supposed to leave the camp and go to live in Australia where i was offered a Visa, at that stage i didn’t want to sell the studio because i had many kids who depended on the programs we offered, and more worst i did not have anybody to hand the studio to, anybody more trustworthy and responsible to make sure the studio and the kids are well taken cared of. And when i looked around, Fidel was the only person i hanged out with since started working together, we even played Basketball together and went to the local Gym together.

With kids during a short film production (RIP Return If Possible)

After speaking with the kids, we all agreed that Fidel was the right choice and so i offered Fidel an advanced course and giving a good understanding of the studio, our work ethic and code of conducts, also showing him to the kids and let them work together.

From left Kito, Olivier and Viki.

At that stage, Olivier and Kito were my best students and had just completed their film course and now working hand in hand with me and Fidel in the Studio, i encouraged them to work with Fidel and help him out with anything he would need when i am gone, they were very sad that i was actually leaving, and i was just as sad considering all the time and things i did with these kids and just how they were so used to me, i hoped Fidel will be just as cool with them as i was and probably more to comfort their emotion.

I left Kenya in November 2015 and Fidel has been way better with the kids and i enjoy see them having a good time together, they organise all sorts of activities together from fun activities to the program annual anniversary and exhibitions and the go out film weddings and make short films and take some good photos of the camp and i couldn’t be more proud of Fidel and the kids with what they’ve achieved so far and what they will achieving for the time they are in Kakuma, i appreciate the commitment and hard work shown by Fidel and the kids especially Olivier and Kito who continue to persevere and even now training other kids as a way to give back to the program.

At this stage, i consider Fidel not a the kid that took our place for practice but as my young brother, each and every member of Season of the Time is my brother and sister and that’s why we were nicknamed Brotherhood by many people in Kakuma.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MY YOUNG BROTHER FIDEL

Fidel in 2018 at the STMP Annual Exhibition.

I hope this year brings you more knowledge to share and more success in everything you do and hope someday we meet again talk about our experiences in Kakuma over a big table meal.

I was a pleasure knowing you brother.

 

From a bother to a brother

 

By Batakane Jean-Michel

source:- https://stmps2012.wordpress.com/2018/08/12/help-me-wish-fidel-wabenga-a-happy-belated-birthday/