About the Project
The project consisted of purchasing rollerblades, skating gear and registration fees that allowed the team to compete.
Location
Githurai, Nairobi, Kenya
Quick Project Stats
| Funding Date | June 2024 |
| Luena Investment | $1,000 |
| CBO Partner | Creative Thespians Afrikanas |
| Village | Githurai |
| Country | Kenya |
| # of Children Impacted | 55 |
| Community Contribution | uniforms for dancing and tracksuits for skating |
Training for Performances Teaches Both Culture and Skills
The Creative Thespians Afrikanas has been a home away from home for many kids and a safe place for the less fortunate. African cultural dances are our main activities in the group. Through these dances, we educate kids on their culture and traditional ways of living, including how they cooked meals, how they dressed, how they danced, how they played instruments, and why and when they played. Using skating and rollerblades in performances helps performers to be focused and to be quick in decision making since failure to do so may result in falling and injury. Creative Thespians has participated in skating competitions and has held the junior championship for two years now.
Equipment Facilitates Local Performances
The donation from Luena Foundation was used to purchase rollerblades, skating gear, and cover registration fees, enabling the team to compete. This equipment provided an opportunity for the children to stay active over the holidays and after school, while also engaging in performing arts as a form of “edutainment”—educating through entertainment. Through these activities, they generate local income and dream of one day showcasing their talent on international stages in Europe and Asia.
Skating is one of the fastest-growing sports and recreational activities in Africa, with urbanization in Kenya driving its popularity. It has become a preferred leisure activity, offering opportunities for skill transfer (coaching), equipment sales, and community activations as a pathway to empowerment. Among skating disciplines, speed skating and slalom are the most organized and visible in Kenya, providing a strong platform for both athletic recognition and business growth through competitions, training programs, and events.
The impact of this opportunity was life-changing. Four children from the team performed exceptionally well in a highly competitive skating event, securing top placements—one finished in 1st place, two in 2nd place, and another in 4th place. As a result, they earned one-year school scholarships for the 2025 academic year, covering tuition, books, and supplies. They also won additional prize money to sustain their club.
Meet our Partner Community-Based Organization
The Creative Thespians Afrikanas is a performing arts group of kids and teenagers that rehabilitates the community through performing arts.
