UpToYouToo, founded in 2001, has long been a small organization run by volunteers. Its first project was M2YG, a youth self-help group from the Nairobi Eastlands. A charity party at Amsterdam club Mazzo marked the first event of UpToYouToo and the first time financial support was given. The M2YG group bought a matatu bus as to make money from bus services, but failed because the focus was too much on financial support. The emphasis had been too much on the own responsibility of the members of the group and there was no training and vision towards capacity building.
From this experience Nynke and Pamela Wesonga started a large research of development projects in Nairobi and found that the lack of training in the M2YG project was a lack found in many projects around. This resulted in the founding of Youth Initiatives Kenya (YIKE) in 2003. YIKE provides trainings for youth groups as well as networking opportunities and community events. Youth groups are given workshops in financial management, leadership and marketing for a period of three years. The groups participate in the frequent networking and community events that YIKE (co)organises.
In February 2004 Nynke and members from Rednose District travelled to Nairobi, carrying a mobile studio along with them. In a flat-cum-studio the Kilio cha Haki album was recorded by 38 rappers from the Nairobi ghettos during one month. Campaigns in Kenya, Netherlands, UK and France generated major publicity for this unique collaboration of artists. Since then, UpToYouToo has worked with two paid employees and has been able to focus on more on project sustainability.
The efforts led to the Ragz2Records studio. One of the Kilio rappers was trained to become engineer by the Dutch commercial studio Earforce. The studio produces commercials and commercial content to create cash flow in order to enable poor artists to record and develop their skills. This year Ragz2Records will establish a label and have its first release with Goreala’s Metaphor za Mtaa album.
In 2007 UpToYouToo starts an AV project complementing the Ragz2Records studio. Its main focus is to facilitate freelance cameramen and directors from the ghettos and create commercials, music videos and documentaries.
In the Netherlands UpToYouToo grew from organizing charity events to school projects, theatre performances and workshops about development aid. This year, the Food People production will tour around various schools. PJ is member of the EEN steering group that organizes the Dutch campaign to end poverty.
We thank all people that over time have put so much of their energy in the organisation:
Floor Hallema, Joyce Veul, Sanne Kamp, Tom Schep, Sonja ten Cate, Giovanni Doesburg, Vasco Neering, Merijn Westerhof, Stije Hallema, Daan van West.
Bas Renning, Dieter van Westen, Brian Hickey.
|
