A Trip to the Cinema

One of the things that many of us take for granted is going to the movies.  For the  children that GVI works with in Mombasa, going to the movies is not something that is a part of their vocabulary and is something that very few, if any, will get the chance to experience.  Thanks to the generosity of Cinemax Nyali, last Friday GVI volunteers and staff were able to take 250 children to a free screening of the animation Bolt.

GVI volunteers and Precious Vision children in the matatu on the way to Cinemax

Where to begin?!  The logistics of getting that many children from two different schools – Olives Rehabilitation Centre and Precious Vision - on time, the bathrooms trips with monitoring of the taps and endless explanations of a flushing toilet combined with the novelty of a hand dryer. Then there was the free popcorn and soda, the air-conditioned theatre, the Kenyan national anthem (played before each film requiring mandatory standing) followed by the trailers. And we haven’t even got to the film yet!

Children queueing to get their popcorn and soda

Sharon from Standard 2 at Precious walking into the theatre with her soda and popcorn

It is hard to adequately express in words the excitement of the children. Smiles and laughter all round.

Rita, Jona and Michael from Standard 2 Olives waiting for the film to start

For many volunteers, this was one of the highlights of their time here, getting to see and experience this trip with their class. It was an amazing start to the weekend!  

Olives Rehabilitation Centre and Precious Vision School outside Cinemax for a group photo

Our thanks to our partners at Cinemax Nyali, Olives and Precious for making this happen.

Katie & Louise, July 2010

A Trip to the Cinema