The Highland Tribune editor Lydiah Nyawira in conjunction with Nyeri online.com goes one on one with Sami Gathii, Executive director of YADEN, East Africa, giving a perspective on his personal tastes, his childhood, accomplishments, and His perception of Nyeri County and its people

Ten Minutes with….. Sami Gathii

YADEN was founded in 2003 by Sami Gathii and works in an innovative, inclusive and participatory Arts and Sports based method targeting marginalized and disfranchised young people as an entry to the wider community. Sami after graduating from Nairobi Theater Academy realized there was a need for three vital components in the arts, packaging art into a  income generating activity, secondly new ways of presenting Arts, Thirdly more vital a concept that cultivated presenting relevant art.

What success has YADEN had in the theatre industry in Kenya?

In his initial attempts there were various success stories with the theatre group They were the first to package set books  and cut in schools and make it income generating

It was the firsts Outfit to market Kenyan artists abroad, and it was made up entirely of young Kenyan artists.

Do you ever have stage fright?

I have lived in Holland for about 15 years during this time I had such a busy theatre career that I had 150 shows a year at an average of 3 shows per day. The tension and anxiety is the same and the dynamics are also the same because every show has its uniqueness. It’s not so much fright but rather anxiety.

What is your favorite past time?

I love to read; actually I read the whole newspaper literally. Every segment from the front to the back. Adverts, classifieds, the obituaries, sports to news, everything. All the details fascinate me hence I read it all.

If you were deserted on an abandoned island, what 3 things would I want to have?

A current newspaper

A never ending supply of beans and rice

My phone

Do you love cars if so which one…?

I love vintage cars. I think old is gold. The Datsun 160J… that car has character.

What was your most memorable performance?

“Stop Looking At Me” it was factually a One man show. I did everything myself. I toured Europe with it and it gained me recognition as a performer. I enjoyed it and it turned out to be one of my greatest ventures

Why? When I did it many artists could not do more than discipline they weren’t multi faceted in terms of performance. Mixing acting, singing, dancing, stage managing, characters roles. And Stop Looking at me allowed me to do this and show it could be done. It was such a success that it is used as a teaching tool for artists who want to be part of interdisciplinary arts.

Do you like sports? Which one?

Am not necessary interested in just one sport but rather in all off them. I like the qualities that are cultivated by all sports. I am currently conducting research into the role of sports in improving the quality of the sportsman. Like for instance a systematic game like Golf cultivates, precisions, stamina, posture, patience, etc all qualities that improve us as individuals. The research will allow me to develop a program called ‘sportstastic.’

What is your most memorable Childhood memory?

When I was a young boy I often spent time in Mukurwe-ini and one of my chores was herding cows. Its was a very lonely job, I would take the herd out in the morning and to keep myself busy and pass time I would make up conversations and talk to the cows, I gave them characters and entire scripts came to life in those long hours. Looking back this made me so creative and expressive and allowed me to let my imagination grow in leaps and bounds.

What do you admire about Nyerians?

Honestly I envy the governor of Nyeri; it is like He/ She has been presented with clay to mould into whatever he pleases. There is so much potential in this place especially with the people. They have roots, they are calm, progressive and comfortable with whom they are.

I have traveled this country and lived abroad, and when you meet other people they think they know they are sure about the answers. But Nyeri people are Honest about who they are and what they know.

Nyerians when they start something they make concrete steps each step is calculated; hence they go to the top and never look back. So those who will have the privileged to lead this county have a task to envision a concrete future for the people.