The Yale African Students’ Association (YASA) is a huge part of my life at Yale. Before I had made friends within Davenport, and before I even fully knew where all my classes were, YASA was there for me. It was and is my home away from home, a cove of safety from everything that was new and different for me here at Yale. My love for YASA is I guess the reason I am a YASA Freshman Liaison!
One of our most challenging duties as a board is finding topics for discussion at our weekly meetings. Last Sunday was no easier, as we spent close to an hour searching for a topic that was not only interesting, but also elicited strong and interesting discussion among the YASA members. We were further constrained by our need to facilitate “a lighthearted yet meaningful” conversation (this is almost an oxymoron because there’s just so much that is going wrong in Africa!).
We finally settled on a three-part Kenyan series called “Shuga”. Produced by MTV to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS in Africa, more especially among contemporary African youth, the series follows the trials and tribulations of a young Kenyan woman, Ayira, who wishes to overcome the urban poverty that her family is trapped in. To reach this goal, she works hard in school, but financial constraints force her to turn to “less honest” ways of making a living.
One of the great things about the series was how much everyone sitting in the living room of the African American Cultural Center could relate to it. We all laughed with Ayira when she made jokes with her friends, danced with her when she went crazy that one night, and felt genuine empathy when life didn’t go as planned. We “got” Ayira, and this was without-a-doubt a more effective means of spreading the message of protection against HIV, and of the importance of knowing your status.
Our ability to relate to “Shuga” was, however, not the highlight of the night. After we had watched the first part of the series, Ayira (actual name Lupita Nyong’o) herself walked into the room! I think I can say that our excitement was palpable. I was certainly in awe that I had met someone who was considered a celebrity back home! Lupita is currently attending the Yale School of Drama, so came down and talked to us about her how she got into the project as well as her experience being Ayira. It was our very own private audience with this amazing Kenyan actress!
Check to yet another breath-taking memory from YASA!
P.S If you really want “some Shuga” too, visit their website at http://ignite.staying-alive.org/kenya/ (You know you want to :D)