Kenya’s capital Nairobi is home to almost three million people. Mathare is an extremely poor area in the eastern part of the city. The “Mathare Youth Sport Association“ (MYSA), established in 1987, is reaching up to 20,000 people with its various activities including community cleanup, community outreach, dancing and music as well as film and photography training (Shootback program). The main purpose of MYSA is to give the Mathare youth a chance for personal and social development through sport and cultural activities.

GLEN-interns will participate in the regular activities of the Shootback program. This means documenting MYSA activities using film and photography. The Shootback program also includes media classes in which the interns will be teaching. The Young Shootbacks, as the students are called, are aged between 12 and 17 and have already gained some photography and video skills.

Depending on their experiences and field of studies, interns can offer different classes that build on the existing skills of the students. Training in script writing, book production, animation, documentary making or the use of new media (internet platforms, blogs etc.) is highly welcome. The GLEN-participants will also show the students opportunities about publicising their works, either at photography exhibitions or through film festivals. Additionally interns will be involved in the daily functioning of Shootback, with particular attention on PR.

The interns should be specialized in film (filming, script writing, editing, directing, equipment maintenance/repair) and graphic design, photography (especially image editing and photo exhibition organizing) and/or journalism. It is important that they enjoy working with children and know how to work independently. They should also be used to working in an intercultural  setting, as they will do project planning in cooperation with Shootback members. Skills and knowledge in pedagogical methods are an additional asset. Interns should bring a laptop (ideally with editing programs) as there are no computers allocated for interns, though there is often an editing computer available.

The scheduled time for the internship is between August and October 2012.

Training and preparation seminars prior to the internship will be held in English. The team will be formed by a Czech participant, a Polish participant and a German/Swiss participant.