CHRONICLES OF THE ABSURD
It
is with utmost dismay that I put this on paper. I may seem to have gone out of
the norm but the situation I intend to address is clearly arduous and
desperately deserves urgent attention. I write this in the capacity of a
retired general and just a disclaimer; that anything that may be interpreted
as you read through this my chronicles is out of my teams contemplations and
not individual interests.
I
am Martin Odongo, an alumni of the great Africa Nazarene University class of 2015. I believe to others I may need no much
introduction but for the benefit of doubt, I am a retired Drama Club president (popularly referred to as Light Theater Productions). I write to express my views concerning
the developing condition in the club.
I
joined Nazarene in the year 2012 and was an addict of drama, of course with the
background I had from my previous levels of education. I, teaming up with a
group of faithfuls managed to propel the club to where it is as we speak now. I
boast in pride for the well-deserved accolades courtesy of the office of the
Dean of Students and our able Patron Mr. Mochache Peter. Additionally I was
able to enjoy the mentorship of my spiritual leaders and proudly I can say I
snatched the better part of the bargain during my tenure in Africa Nazarene
University. Thanks to you Rev. Magaya and Racheal.
Drama
being a co-curriculum activity in campus, has to be served the same attention
as any other club just as it has been in the previous past. I respect and
acknowledge all that has been done so far to ANU DRAMA CLUB. However, I am
somewhat disappointed with the kind of messages I read from the student’s
social media groups e.g. whatsapp and facebook as well as the direct phone
calls I receive from the team I left behind. I promise to try stick to my
modesty as I break it down for us.
Now,
during the 2016 season, it has not been easy for the club handling rehearsals,
class work and other personal schedules. It’s not news anyway because we have
gone thought that and made it before. ANU Drama club after serious consultation
with concerned authorities opted to merge Main campus and Town campus so as to
cope with the stiff competition in the Metropolitan competition. This was
majorly based on the fact that
I.
The
Mass Communication department (approximately 40% of drama members) had been
moved to T.C.
II.
Our
festival only happens annually during the January Semester (not every semester
like other clubs) and last for 3 months, a period when all the Law students
(30% of drama members) are on their long holidays.
III.
Our
population at Main campus does not favor us in posing a healthy battle with our
rivals like Kenyatta University.
Among
other reasons.
Having
put all this in to consideration and implemented it successfully, we have
managed to do great and to be more specific, during my last year in campus as a
Bachelors student where we managed to beat the so called power houses in Drama.
Thank you Prof. Kigatira for donating a wheel chair.
That
ended up setting up a record that the incoming team had to live up to or even
do much better. Certainly there were possibilities considering the fact that
the University had invested considerably in the club.
LTP
never disappoints. This year, we genuinely managed book slots at the national
podium with 3 items out of the 6 entries we had made at the Metropolitan level.
Then it happened!
SERIOUSLY HOW DO
YOU EXPLAIN TO A STUDENT WHO HAS FULLY COMMITTED HIS/HER THREE MONTHS IN DRAMA
THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO ATTEND NATIONAL COMPETITION WHEN THEY RIGHTFULLY
DESERVED AND EARNED THE SPOT!
Now,
ladies and gentlemen, to a few, it may be understood but to many, the exact
opposite may be interpreted. I thank you Mr. Desmond Otwoma for your support
and leadership. However, during the 2016 season, I must admit you dint live up
to the standards.
Ok
i.
This
is a team that has been spending their cash as transport to attend rehearsals
in T.C every weekday and then later a joint rehearsal in Main campus during
weekends for a whole 3 months.
ii.
The
same students have had a difficult moment to balance between their academics
and drama and even risking extending their training to late in the nights.
iii.
FYI,
many of these students joined ANU
because of drama for they saw a
platform on which they could nature their talent. How do you explain to the
student, parent or guardian that the institution had just pulled a prank on us?
iv.
I
was not to mention this but this are the same students who have had to spend
cold nights in HELSTROM due to lack of accommodation within the school premises
late after training!
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It
is this kind of commitment that keep us wining and making the name of Nazarene
even bigger. I may understand the school is not in a position to sponsor the
drama national competition 2016 .However, I am also in a position to understand
that the budget for the activity is not done spontaneously on conditions. It is
done in advance for planning purpose.
It
is so sad that the dean of students could not even listen to the students ideas
after a meeting was called to break the sad news to them. It was an abrupt
summon (crisis like meeting) that was termed as a briefing meeting and not a
discussion since no student, let alone the patron of the MOST ACTIVE CLUB in
the NAZARENE , Mr. Peter Mochache , was allowed to contribute or share possible
solutions to the crisis. So sad indeed. For Christ sake, these are University
students who are trained on crisis management and creating possible solution.
Why fail to listen to them. It was so dictatorial according to me and according
to the recorded audio I listened to and I think professionally I wouldn’t do
that to the people who look up to me.
The
team is meant to be travelling to the venue (Meru town) this coming Friday but
so far not even permission from the administration has been granted, leave
alone facilitation. Ok, having debated out the matter, the students were even
willing to share the burden by sponsoring part of the expenses, but no one gave
them a listening ear. At this point, am compelled to mention something on the activity
fee they give in form of school fees. I will not mention much on that though. It
is quite evident that the club that has taken ages and restless committed souls
from founders and pioneers is slowly dying. I have a feeling that the grave
diggers are persons with personal issues with the team that has always done
well therefore are just but simply trying to take advantage of the situation.
Aki WHY KILL TALENT!
I
make this appeal to Mr. Opiyo (ANU Finance) and Mr. Otwoma (Students Dean) that
please, we can’t afford to restart it all over. It has costed us a lot if you
ask me and I believe you even know better. Denying the students an opportunity
from going to the Drama National Competition will NOT do us any good irrespective
of how the situation in your offices may look like. Kindly meet the students
and have a chat with them then also listen to their views. You may evaluate
possible alternatives and give them a chance to explore their talents. Don’t
shut them up the way you did the last time you met. Respect their views and try
fit in their shoes too. The audio record of the conversation you had was not
appealing I must admit. Yes. It was recorded.
I
beg to rest it there. Hope I didn’t get out of the brackets. If I did kindly
bear with my emotions.
Yours,
………………………………
