As a documentary filmmaker, I believe in the power of small stories to express and illustrate the universal themes of empowerment, justice and peace. My vision for Peace in Our Pockets has been to capture and share the story of one organization’s efforts to nurture democracy and deepen peace in Kenya. I feel this film offers lessons for others working to strengthen and support civic engagement, good governance, and human rights in Africa and around the world.
Over the course of 15 months and three production trips in-country, I had unfettered access to Sisi ni Amani – Kenya, one of hundreds of peace organizations working to avoid a repeat of the 2007 post-election violence in the country. This provided opportunities to document their grassroots work in several of Nairobi’s informal settlements in Eastlands and to experience Kenya during a pivotal time. By building relationships and spending hours with the Sisi team, we were able to capture the energy and intensity of dedicated individuals working to strengthen the the social and economic fabric of their communities and to monitor and reduce ethnic and political tensions. My time with Sisi ni Amani has given me a new appreciation for the interconnectedness of democracy, peace and social and economic development.
Peace and Technology
While I explore in the film the multidimensional quality of peace in the context of national elections, I also grew increasingly fascinated by the intertwining of technology and social change in this story. The film captures a groundbreaking movement to utilize cell phones and advanced text messaging technology as a catalyst for peace and good governance. The synergy between technology and old-school organizing is quite powerful and I think a possible game-changer in how underserved citizens communicate with each other and their leaders.
Making this film has given me a unique opportunity to get to know Kenya and Kenyans as more than a visitor or tourist. I am grateful for the wisdom and time shared by the Sisi Team and for their willingness to open their world to our film team. The work of the individuals in Sisi ni Amani has inspired me, and I hope to inspire others with Peace in Our Pockets.