Pride Of Kenya

Schools, businesses and private individuals have sponsored lion canvasses and the first images of the lions being painted are starting to arrive!!  Kenton College in Nairobi decided to sponsor a lion and paint it before the children broke up for Summer as a treat!!

The art teacher, Mr Adam Burgess, at Kenton college created a dramatic reception for the Kenton lion.  He had it hidden in the bushes near the football field early last week.

During assembly, the children were informed of an “escaped” animal in their school compound, and had to go around looking for it. They hurdled in groups of twos and threes, and took to the hunt.

Then they found it!

It was carried to the open area outside the art room, and was given the nicest reception any lion has ever had. It was hugged and held by each one of the children. Even the parents had a moment to “hug” and welcome the new Kenton member, as it sat in its new environment for two days.

On Wednesday 1st July, Kenton college hosted Kigulu AIDS orphanage children for their fun day. This is a school based in the Kibera slums, and is supported by students and staff of Kenton college.

The painting was loads of fun. Everyone’s ideas were factored in. Lead by their very able art teacher Adam, they added in their brushstrokes and colourful thoughts.

The lion shall definitely be a great work of art, for it has a great story within in it. On one side, they have very bright colours, with modern drawings of cities. On the other side, they have a dull and sad depiction of life in the slum. The mane however, is made up of hand prints in layered colours of the Kenyan flag. These hand prints are made up of every child and staff’s hands in the Kenton community, and in the Kigulu community. The thought here is that no one can ever figure out whose handprint it is, despite which side of the divide one comes from.

A truly awesome work of art.

We shall be publishing details of the finiished lion in due course, so make sure you check back!!

For more information, please visit www.prideofkenya.co.ke and www.bornfree.org.uk