Refugees display unique talents at the Youth Talent Show
The long awaited day, 16/05/2018 on which the Youth Talent Search and Competition grand finale is going to ensue is finally here! Hundreds of people from in and around Rwamwanja settlement, Adjumani and Kampala districts have gathered at Nkoma Primary School in Rwamwanja to witness young talented people compete.
In preparation for the day, youth with unique talents from in and around Rwamwanja and Adjumani district’s settlements were identified and trained in their specific talents for over three months,18 finalists were identified and these are going to compete in the denouement competition organized by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) with funds from the United States Bureau of Population, refugees and Migration (PRM).
Contestants are to compete in six talent categories including; Fashion and Design, Art and Sculpture, Music, Dance, Drama and Sports. Finalists will win juicy cash prizes and further be trained in their specific talents.
Refugees display unique talent in music, dance and drama
With roots in DRC, a country believed to be endowed with rich talent in music and dance, Espoir Rugaju took the crowds by storm with his hip-hop poetry. Dressed like an international hip-hop star, he confidently walked to the stage and graced crowds with his thrilling performance. His energy, lyrics and flow got hundreds of the party goers singing along.
Amidst demands for more of Rugaju’s music, Able Jonathan raged the stage with his electrifying unique dance moves. The 18-year-old wowed the crowds with his ability to perfectly pull off different styles of dance like break dance, Lingala and the free style. Esther Akeza got the watching crowd teary with her drama kit on a sturbon child raised by a single mother.
During the performances, a thunderous ululation from a charged audience pieced through the usually peaceful refuge settlement as performers hit the stage with amazing confidence, leaving everyone in disbelief. “The talents exhibited in music and dance was tantalizing,” said Paul Habineza a refugee in Rwamwanja settlement and event attendee.
Fashion and Design colored the day
Three youth finalists exhibited glowing talent in fashion and design when they displayed fine pieces on the run way including wedding gowns, casual and corporate outfits for both female and male of all age groups, all neatly designed from knitted and African fabrics.
"I have displayed my best pieces and am sure am taking the first place in Fashion and Design." Says Esther Mamboleo who adds that the show has offered her work a lot of exposure and that she expects to get more customers.
Exciting cash prizes for winners
The competitions organized with the theme “My Talent, My Breakthrough Opportunity is aimed at identifying and developing talent among youth and above all, to ensure they earn a sustainable living from their talents.
In his brief speech, LWF’s Country Representative, Jesse Kamstra noted that the refuges’ talents are their strongest assets.
“We have identified and mentored talented youth and are offering the competition winners cash for prizes. We have briefed and trained them in business skills and how they can sustainably earn income by investing their cash prizes in businesses and talents.” Says LWF’s Generous Akampurira. “We shall continue to support refugees from DRC and South Sudan to enable them live in dignity,” adds Kamstra.
Each of the winners from the six categories walked away with UGX 10,000,000. The first runners up in all the categories were offered UGX 1.500,000 and the second runners up took home UGX 500,000.
“I will use my money to develop my talent further.” Said Rugaju who took the music category prize. “Am going to invest in an art gallery and specialize in painting the journeys of migrants and their lives in refugee settlements. From this, I’ll earn a living and also act as a platform through which refugees can communicate to the entire world.” Adds Theogen Munguiko the finalist in Art and Sculpture.
Jonathan, the overall winner in the Dance category cried with joy when he was announced the winner, a host community resident and school dropout in Adjumani district he hopes to use the money to return to school.
“Let’s not use our God given talents to commit evil, utilize them for productive activities. Live together in peace and harmony.” The LC5 chairperson for Kamwenge district Aggrey Natumanya appealed to youth, host and refugee communities.
The event was graced by Jean Woynicki the Regional Refugee Coordinator, Great Lakes Region U.S. Mission Kampala – PRM and Dorothy Nshaija, the woman Member of Parliament for Kamwenge district.
Read about the Talent Show on the New Vision website: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1478066/congolese-refugees-win-sh100m-prizes-talent-competitions
Watch the Talent Show on Urban TV's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6aC2GjxqoQ
Read about the Talent Show semifinals on LWF's website: https://uganda.lutheranworld.org/content/my-talent-my-break-through-youth-showcase-creativity-talent-show-rwamwanja-settlement-106
The Youth Talent Show grand finale in Photos
A contestant in the Dancing category wows the crowds with his moves.
A drummer produces music from musical instruments.
A model displays a neatly knitted cloth piece from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
Theogen Munguiko the overall winner in Art and Sculpture displays his art piece that preaches love.
Models display neatly designed African cloth pieces from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
A model displays neatly designed African cloth pieces from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
Models display neatly designed African and knitted cloth pieces from some of the Fashion and Design contestants.
A model displays neatly designed African cloth pieces from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
A model displays a neatly knitted cloth piece from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
A model displays a neatly knitted cloth piece from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
A model displays a neatly knitted cloth piece from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
The event was graced by Jean Woynicki the Regional Refugee Coordinator, Great Lakes Region U.S. Mission Kampala – PRM who urged youth to utilize their talents productively.
The Judges!
Hundreds of people from in and around Rwamwanja settlement, Adjumani and Kampala districts attended the Talent Show Grand Finale in Rwamwanja settlement.
Hundreds of people from in and around Rwamwanja settlement, Adjumani and Kampala districts attended the Talent Show Grand Finale in Rwamwanja settlement.
The LC5 chairperson for Kamwenge district Aggrey Natumanya attended the event and appealed to youth, host and refugee communities to live in peace and harmony.
The event was graced by Dorothy Nshaija, the woman Member of Parliament for Kamwenge district, who commended LWF and other organisations assisting refugees in the settlement.
Jesse Kamstra, LWF Uganda's Country Representative congratulates finalists.
The Winner in the Dance category is Able Jonathan!
The Winner in the Dance category is Able Jonathan!
Jesse Kamstra, LWF Uganda's Country Representative signs dummy cheques for the winners. Winners were rewraded with cash to invest in businesses for sustainable incomes.
Jesse Kamstra, LWF Uganda's Country Representative signs dummy cheques for the winners. Winners were rewraded with cash to invest in businesses for sustainable incomes.
Jesse Kamstra, LWF Uganda's Country Representative addresses the crowds at the event. “We shall continue to support refugees from DRC and South Sudan to enable them live in dignity.” Kamstra pledged on behalf of LWF.
Jesse Kamstra, LWF Uganda's Country Representative addresses the crowds at the event. “We shall continue to support refugees from DRC and South Sudan to enable them live in dignity.” Kamstra pledged on behalf of LWF.
Able Jonathan, the overall Winner in the Dance category wows the crowds with his moves.
A contestant in the Dancing category wows the crowds with her moves.
Music was part of the competitions!
A contestant in the Dancing category wows the crowds with his moves.
A contestant in the Dancing category wows the crowds with his moves.
A model displays a neatly knitted cloth piece from one of the Fashion and Design contestants.
Hundreds of people from in and around Rwamwanja settlement, Adjumani and Kampala districts attended the Talent Show Grand Finale in Rwamwanja settlement.
