First HOT SUN FOUNDATION Newsletter!

The first Hot Sun Foundation newsletter is now out! You can download it from download from http://tucacas.info/HotSunFoundation/newsletter1.pdf

You can also get a copy and subscribe to future newsletters by emailing 'subscribe newsletter' to info@hotsunfoundation.org Peace! Hot Sun Foundation Team

Call and Response wins international youth leadership award!

Hot Sun Foundation is pleased to announce that co-founder Nathan Collett has been awarded the Institute of International Education's (IIE) 2008 New Leaders Group Award for Mutual Understanding.

Nathan received the New Leaders Award for the Hot Sun Foundation project CALL AND RESPONSE, the ongoing video exchange between youth of the urban slums of Nairobi and youth in the USA. CALL AND RESPONSE was described by IIE as a project that "strongly supports the mission and goals of the New Leaders Group and holds much promise for the future of US-Kenya relations”.

IIE further noted, "With dedication and leadership like yours, IIE is able to continue "Opening Minds to the World" through international exchange - more important today than ever before. The intent of the New Leaders Group Award is to recognize some of the best and the brightest young professionals and to encourage them to contribute and further promote their innovative ideas, valuable knowledge and dedication to the cause of mutual understanding."

IIE is a global leader in the exchange of people and ideas. An independent not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE is among the world’s largest and most experienced international education and training organizations, (www.iie.org).

Congratulations to Nathan, Goddy Ojiambo, coordinator, and the youth in Kibera, who are participating in CALL AND RESPONSE.

Thanks to all who worked on the HIP HOP FILM FESTIVAL

Nathan Collett, founder Hot Sun Films and co-founder Hot Sun Foundation, thanks everyone who made the second annual Kibera HIP HOP FILM FESTIVAL a success. Special thanks to the Kibera youth organizers, the film kiosk owners and to the Cultural Affairs Section of the US Embassy.

Congratulations to Kibera HIP HOP FILM FESTIVAL

Hot Sun Foundation is pleased to be a sponsor of the second annual Kibera HIP HOP FILM FESTIVAL, which offers Kibera youth an opportunity to view and talk about good films from around the world. Based on our goal of social transformation through art and media, youth in Kibera are learning to analyze what films mean to their lives and learn more about the world.

PETER JOHNSON KATUMA NO LONGER WITH HOT SUN

For personal reasons, Peter Johnson Katuma has left Hot Sun Foundation to focus on other priorities. Thanks for your time and consideration. Best, Hot Sun Foundation Team

Hot Sun Films in Beijing China!

On Tuesday April 22, 2008, Earth Day, three films produced by Hot Sun Films were enthusiastically praised by participants at the Beijing International Peace Vigil meeting. 25 people from many different countries were stimulated to ask questions about life in Kibera, Lamu and Somalia after viewing KIBERA KID, SUBIRA and CHARCOAL TRAFFIC. They enjoyed the films and congratulated the filmmakers on their excellent quality. One young German commented that he knew very little about Africa and that viewing the films was a wonderful learning opportunity for him. An Australian woman said the films were very important for understanding the lives of people in east Africa. A woman from England praised Hot Sun Films for working with slum youth in Africa offering them possibilities for social and cultural participation.

Hot Sun Foundation announces KIBERA FILM FEST

2nd Annual Film Festival in Kibera – Hip Hop Film Fest
Peace and Conflict: THE WAY FORWARD

Seven days of films and discussion in Kibera.
Posing questions, Challenging assumptions, Promoting understanding

Hot Sun Foundation in conjunction with Hot Sun Films, will show outstanding and informative films from around the world in video halls throughout Kibera from Saturday April 26 to Friday May 2nd. Amongst the films will be the award winning short films KIBERA KID and SUBIRA as well as films produced by the youth of Kibera.

We showcase films from urban environments in the USA and around the world to see the global challenges faced by slum and ghetto dwellers everywhere. Many films will be shown in Kenya for the first time, including BASTARDS OF THE PARTY, about alternatives to gang life in Los Angeles California, and GRIND AND GLORY, about aspiring hip hop stars from the ghettos of Oakland California. The Kibera HIP HOP FILM FEST offers an opportunity for ongoing community dialogue about values, culture, and identities and how we can live together in peace and harmony.

All screenings will be FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. In addition to free film screenings, Hot Sun Foundation facilitators will encourage filmgoers to discuss what they watch and how it applies to their lives during discussions following some of the screenings.

The Free Film Screenings will be held daily at video halls throughout Kibera from 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday April 26 to Friday April May 2nd.

We invite your participation and support!
For more information contact kiberaexchange@hotsunfoundation.org

The Second Annual Kibera HIP HOP FILM FEST is sponsored by Hot Sun Foundation, Hot Sun Films, and the Cultural Affairs section of the United States Embassy in Nairobi.