Tusker Project Fame! What happens when the cameras stop!

Thousands of East Africans tune in every year to one the best talent shows that we have in the Region to see a star being born, but what happens when the cameras stop rolling?

This is a question that I have always pondered but I have never got the answer.
The Tusker Project Fame academy is one of those places where we see talent being developed through an academy, hopefuls being coached and taught everyday, and week by week we see these young people improve and become better singers.

But I guess the question is, do these talent shows have a place in Uganda? Can we develop real talent through such a show?
I love talent shows and I have seen them being successful for instance in the US, American Idol has produced talented guys like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrimo, to mention but a few.
Even the X- Factor in the UK has born great talent like Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent, and the list goes on.

Tusker Project Fame stars on the other hand have left me not very impressed.
While they all strive to be the best on the show, get that record deal and start producing music, once they get out there, we hear nothing much from them.

Season 4 winner of Tusker Project Fame, Davis Ntare Hillary from Uganda
Season one winner, Valerie Kimani was the first.
Well I could say she has had some bit of success, at least I have heard a few songs done by her and one of my favorite from her being 'village boy' that she did with Maurice Kirya but still not enough from what we really expected.

Season two winner, our very own Esther Nabaasa has also been a great disappointment, I haven't heard any serious song from her since she was crowned. Key word here is *serious.
I have heard a song or two, but is that really enough from these guys who receive all that cash prize and record deals? Why don't they give us more?

Alpha from Rwanda won the third series, and I won't speak too much about him because I do not know what is going on in Rwanda and then last but not least, one of my all time favorite winner and contestant, Ntare Hillary Davis.
I had too much faith in him, and I thought he was going to be different, but am disappointed that I haven't heard a song from him either!
He had the style and zeal to be like Maurice Kirya who is my favorite male Ugandan artist, and I was looking forward to his music but am disappointed that so far nothing has been done.

What changes after the cameras stop rolling? Why don't these stars use the stage given to them to become much bigger stars?
Is it that we are not really that ready for talent shows in Africa?

My desire to see these guys that we watch and support make us proud by producing music and using the platform given to them to be better, which I haven't seen from the talent so far.

The current situation needs to change.

Just my 2 cents!

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New Hope for Ruhanga Women

A trip to Western Uganda is one I always look forward to.
I haven't been in the western part of Uganda for quite sometime and thus it was exciting to be able to make a trip there to bring HOPE to the women of Ruhanga just a few miles away from the main town to Ntungamo.

The people of Ruhanga are faced with a challenge of POWER like most villages in Uganda. People can not afford the luxury of lighting up their houses because they know it is expensive and only meant for the affluent.

When we gathered a group of Women from all parts of the Village, I was thrilled that many of them were ready to travel long distances to learn about Solar Sister and an opportunity for them to kick start their own micro-businesses.

Women came from Itojo, Kinoni, and Ruhanga and gathered to listen and learn.
Gathering all their stories and what they do for a living is something we always do in our trainings, just to figure out how they earn a living.
Most of the women are housewives, farmers, cattle keepers, we also had a teacher, and a tailor in the group.

Brand new Solar Sister Enterprenuers from Ruhanga and neighbouring villages

This group of 18 women seemed to see HOPE in the message I carried for them, which was the power of Solar.
Many of the women did not realize how important Solar energy would change their lives, not only in terms of clean energy but also the ability to help their children improve on their grades given the fact that they could now study at night without 'wasting kerosene'.

As the training went on, many women realized they had an opportunity to live an Independent life and enjoy an income of their own that they would perhaps never would have experienced.

Solar Sister brought HOPE to this village and the Women were enthusiastic to spread the word across the village.
Today as I speak, we have got Solar Sister Enterprenuers that signed up in Ruhanga bringing in orders for more lamps from more village members.

It is this kind of positive HOPE that Solar Sister seeks to bring in people's lives. More women are being empowered down in Ruhanga and am very keen to follow up the success of this group of hopeful women.

An inspiring trip it was.

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