In March 2007, I traveled to Kenya to document the work of an American
missionary named Steve Peifer who has initiated two remarkable programs
among poor Kenyan schools outside of Nairobi. The first is a free lunch
program that feeds a simple meal of beans and corn to over 15,000
elementary, junior high, and high school students at 25 different
school (and countint).
The second is a computer program whereby Steve builds solar-powered computer labs on site using an
empty metal shipping container fitted with
windows, wooden benches, and brand new Dell laptop computers, He also hires a full-time teacher at each
site
to teach computer classes exclusively. Steve has ten such labs
currently operational, and his vision is to set up a lab at each school
where the lunch program exists.
The recent violence in the country following the disputed elections
slowed his work, but he has been able to resume the food and computer programs. Last November, Steve received a "heroes" award from CNN at a ceremony in New York City for his efforts in Kenya. I doubt my video had anything to do with the CNN award, but my footage did catch the eye of the local film company Engaging Media, which was working on a inspirational documentary entitled "The Answer to Absolutely Everything." Their crew later interveiwed Steve on camera while he was at a conference in L.A. and they used much of my b-roll for a profile of Steve in the documentary. My first bona fide film credit. Not bad for a one-man crew.