Lift Your Voice!

IFTIN shines as they sing their own songs

written in their mother tongue of Somali.

We paraded into Nairobi's Naya Stadium with over 2000 people for the September 8th, International Literacy Day celebration.

A presenters tent with various groups and agencies working to enhance adult education in Kenya were part of the day. It is estimated that 774 million adults lack basic literacy around the world, 64% are women (EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2008). According to Kenya's 2007 National Adult literacy Survey, 7,800,000 adults can not read or write. Working together, organizations like Eastleigh Community Centre are striving to promote and provide free opportunities for adults to achieve quality education that will lead to "peace and prosperity" for the nation.

Our group was among dozens of choirs, dancers, actors and marching bands that took part in the celebration. These children stood on tip toe to get a good look at the sparkling white uniformed marching bands.

The Iftin group preforming their songs before the panel of judges, including Kenya's Minister of Education, at the International Literacy Day celebration in Nairobi. They were great!