GOING THE EXTRA MILE BY SUSAN MUMBUA 08-1277SUSAN MUMBUA 08-1277 COM 349X FINAL PROJECT. GOING THE EXTRA MILE Fredrick Brian Lichuma is a fourth year student at Daystar University. His major is Communication (Electronic Media). Being a wide area of study he had to look for something that will stand out in his work, “I needed something engaging” he said as he took another sip of his coffee, that’s when he decided to specialize more in video and audio editing. Cynthia did her editing course several semesters ago, she can’t remember what it entails and a project on editing is due. She tries to work on it with the little she can remember but she can’t get far with it. She decides to call Fred and they schedule a date on a Saturday. I join them on Saturday and the lesson was a full session on editing. Fred didn’t do anything he just taught and made her understand step by step about the whole process. It was amazing how she could now work on the project by the end of the session. Fred has learnt a lot by teaching and helping his fellow students in their work. These has landed him jobs here and there like editing weddings. He edits lots of weddings and this has led to watching the wedding show. Men would rather tune in to something else rather than watch wedding show and hear their wives nag how some of the weddings are better than theirs. For Fred he doesn’t mind at all because it gives him ideas on how to edit for his clients. Fred started helping out students since 2008 when lecturers requested him to help the rest of the students with their work, so he could get a class and take the students step by step in video editing. This fascinates many people because he gets time to do his work and help many students do their work. Some students also call him to critique their documentaries or any piece of work they have. “Journalism is the passion, and this is what drives me into doing what I do.” There are times he has been forced to stay in late just to help people even though he doesn’t have a class. So with all these people calling in for help, how does he handle it? Crossing his legs then making a side smile, he starts to tell me how he separates the two. One thing he values is time and therefore if someone wants his help he has to keep to the time schedule that they agreed to. He knows how long a particular job will take, so if he gives it approximately one hour and the student doesn’t come for the first thirty minutes, he will do what they (students) can for the remaining thirty minutes and the rest has to be scheduled for another day. “I work on my assignments early enough so as to get time to help my fellow colleagues.” So he works on his assignments on Saturday and Sunday and does some reading too. During the interview, students were interrupting. Some saying thank you for helping them while others booking time with him to help them. He didn’t seem overwhelmed at one point by all these, but he kept his word and for sure he helped them all. He talked to everyone of them with a warm smile and these encouraged some of them who looked like it’s the end of the world because they couldn’t do their assignments. “That is how I socialize, I meet different people with different characters not necessarily my friends, but I still help them.” Fred helps different students form Diploma to undergraduate and even Masters Students. This has made him learn a lot on how to deal with different characters. One of the students referred to him as ‘sent from heaven’ and he has had many other names given to him because of his work. James one of his friends came in during the interview and told him that he should consider doing his internship teaching audio and video editing because he is good at it. So with all these at your plate do you get overwhelmed? “Yes, I’m human and sometimes handling over 30 students in a day is not easy, it calls for God’s grace daily.” What makes him do it all over again the next day is when he sees people’s smiles after helping them. Fred is not paid for what he does, all these is voluntary, the only time he gets something in return is when he is working for his clients. He can stay up to 3am just to finish one clients work and deliver the same job to the client as early as 7am. Fred has worked for ten clients inclusive of individuals and corporate, and he is very positive about the future ahead. Fred is also part of the corporate affairs and he is the assistant director. This is also voluntary; he helps in marketing Daystar University in different places of the country but also outside the country. Fred’s determination keeps him on track, he knows what he wants from all these and for him the sky is not the limit. This is not the end of him helping people, he wants to help more and more and continue learning from them too. “It’s a give and take process, and I always find myself learning something new every day.” While teaching in the process he learns a new technique or a new way of editing the pieces, because the software get better each day. Fred hasn’t thought of being a lecturer, though students have told him he would make a good lecturer, he is taking a step at a time. He wouldn’t mind if that’s the direction God is leading him, and during the whole interview you will notice Fred’s faith plays a big role in his planning and what he wants to do. He would refer to God one time or the other and thanking Him for the heart that’s patient and willing to teach and learn at the same time. Taking his last sip of his coffee, “If you don’t have the passion for it, develop it.” WORDS: 1029 TYPE: PROFILE FEATURE.

SUSAN MUMBUA

08-1277

COM 349X

FINAL PROJECT.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Fredrick Brian Lichuma is a fourth year student at Daystar University. His major is Communication (Electronic Media).  Being a wide area of study he had to look for something that will stand out in his work, “I needed something engaging” he said as he took another sip of his coffee,  that’s when he decided to specialize more in video and audio editing.

Cynthia did her editing course several semesters ago, she can’t remember what it entails and a project on editing is due. She tries to work on it with the little she can remember but she can’t get far with it. She decides to call Fred and they schedule a date on a Saturday. I join them on Saturday and the lesson was a full session on editing. Fred didn’t do anything he just taught and made her understand step by step about the whole process. It was amazing how she could now work on the project by the end of the session.

 Fred has learnt a lot by teaching and helping his fellow students in their work.  These has landed him jobs here and there like editing weddings. He edits lots of weddings and this has led to watching the wedding show. Men would rather tune in to something else rather than watch wedding show and hear their wives nag how some of the weddings are better than theirs. For Fred he doesn’t mind at all because it gives him ideas on how to edit for his clients.

 Fred started helping out students since 2008 when lecturers requested him to help the rest of the students with their work, so he could get a class and take the students step by step in video editing. This fascinates many people because he gets time to do his work and help many students do their work. Some students also call him to critique their documentaries or any piece of work they have. “Journalism is the passion, and this is what drives me into doing what I do.” There are times he has been forced to stay in late just to help people even though he doesn’t have a class.

So with all these people calling in for help, how does he handle it?  Crossing his legs then making a side smile, he starts to tell me how he separates the two. One thing he values is time and therefore if someone wants his help he has to keep to the time schedule that they agreed to.

He knows how long a particular job will take, so if he gives it approximately one hour and the student doesn’t come for the first thirty minutes, he will do what they (students) can for the remaining thirty minutes and the rest has to be scheduled for another day. “I work on my assignments early enough so as to get time to help my fellow colleagues.” So he works on his assignments on Saturday and Sunday and does some reading too.

During the interview, students were interrupting. Some saying thank you for helping them while others booking time with him to help them. He didn’t seem overwhelmed at one point by all these, but he kept his word and for sure he helped them all. He talked to everyone of them with a warm smile and these encouraged some of them who looked like it’s the end of the world because they couldn’t do their assignments. “That is how I socialize, I meet different people with different characters not necessarily my friends, but I still help them.” Fred helps different students form Diploma to undergraduate and even Masters Students. This has made him learn a lot on how to deal with different characters. 

One of the students referred to him as ‘sent from heaven’ and he has had many other names given to him because of his work. James one of his friends came in during the interview and told him that he should consider doing his internship teaching audio and video editing because he is good at it.

So with all these at your plate do you get overwhelmed? “Yes, I’m human and sometimes handling over 30 students in a day is not easy, it calls for God’s grace daily.”  What makes him do it all over again the next day is when he sees people’s smiles after helping them. Fred is not paid for what he does, all these is voluntary, the only time he gets something in return is when he is working for his clients. He can stay up to 3am just to finish one clients work and deliver the same job to the client as early as 7am. Fred has worked for ten clients inclusive of individuals and corporate, and he is very positive about the future ahead.

Fred is also part of the corporate affairs and he is the assistant director. This is also voluntary; he helps in marketing Daystar University in different places of the country but also outside the country.

Fred’s determination keeps him on track, he knows what he wants from all these and for him the sky is not the limit. This is not the end of him helping people, he wants to help more and more and continue learning from them too. “It’s a give and take process, and I always find myself learning something new every day.” While teaching in the process he learns a new technique or a new way of editing the pieces, because the software get better each day.

Fred hasn’t thought of being a lecturer, though students have told him he would make a good lecturer, he is taking a step at a time. He wouldn’t mind if that’s the direction God is leading him, and during the whole interview you will notice Fred’s faith plays a big role in his planning and what he wants to do. He would refer to God one time or the other and thanking Him for the heart that’s patient and willing to teach and learn at the same time.

Taking his last sip of his coffee, “If you don’t have the passion for it, develop it.”

WORDS: 1029

TYPE: PROFILE FEATURE.

Which is better? By Duncan Mwangi (07-1464)

 

Ask any Kenyan to mention a popular car in our streets and if the Vitz is not mentioned the answer would probably be the Probox. So what are they really? 

Toyota Vitz

The Vitz is a compact car launched in 1999 but debut in Kenya in 2004 through the second hand market. Its basic model (popular with ladies) has a small 1000cc engine with a fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100 km covered. The powerful version known as the RS (quite popular with the men) has 1400cc engine married to a small turbo charger. The ‘couples’ give the RS a total of 145 hp and a top speed of 155km/h. A normal Vitz has room for four occupants. 

Rear of the Vitz

The interior feels rather cuddly. For a mother with naughty kids, the cuddly interior makes it easy for her to get hold of them for some high-tech beating. In the RS version the normal front seats are replaced with sports seat. The rear seats are also more comfortable. It also has a large rear spoiler and well styled 18 inch wheels. The normal Vitz has a 4 speaker system single CD radio while the RS has a 6 speaker single CD radio. 

Cuddly Vitz interior

Both versions are cheap to maintain. They have huge space at the boot which can be further boosted by folding the rear seats. They also have easy maneuverability in traffic jams and they fit in tiny parking spaces.  The Vitz is also available as a 4 door saloon known as the Platz. Another version known as the Fun Cargo has plenty of room for both occupant comfort and transportation of goods. The Vitz popularity is slowly been overtaken by a new comer the Probox

Toyota Probox

From it name you get the feeling that the engineers at Toyota City hoped to create a propelled box hence the name Probox. The Probox, which was launched in 2006 and debut in Kenya in 2008, is actually made to be a commercial vehicle for delivery of goods to any given destination.  Its huge 4 litre boot space ensures that it can carry lots of items of any shape and size. 

'All white and ready to serve'

This has made it so popular with Kenyan entrepreneurs. The boot can also be modified to be a fridge to carry perishable goods. Its popular rear seat, which many regard as uncomfortable, is designed that way so that it can fold flat. It has a 1500 cc engine that consumes around a litre more compared to the basic Vitz. The engine has an output of 105 hp enough to deliver goods at any given destination in time. 

Rear of the Probox

Another version of the Probox called the Succeed which has a prettier shape, good seats and stylish allow wheels is on offer. The top of the range Succeed version has a powerful 2000cc engine which has an output of 170 hp. It has a top speed of 180 km/h which is 20 more compared to the Probox. 

The Succeed

The Succeed also has a rear spoiler and 16 inch alloy wheels on the top of the range models. In the Succeed, the rear bench is replaced with comfortable seats that can also fold to create more room for the boot. Both versions can carry five occupants thanks to their roomy interior. 

Succeed Interior with comfortable rear seats

The Probox comes fitted with an AM/FM four speaker radio unit while the Succeed is available with a single CD AM/FM 6 speaker unit. The Probox is therefore more of a commercial vehicle while the Succeed is more of a family car with the benefits found in the Probox.

The Probox cockpit

Prices for the normal Vitz start from Kshs. 550,000 while the Platz, Succeed and Fun Cargo prices start from Kshs. 650,000. The Vitz RS price starts from Kshs. 750,000.

While they share the same surname, it seems that their different characteristics have contributed to their ever rising popularity in Kenya.

                                                            Total word 630

Posted by

Duncan Mwangi

07-1464 (COM 349 X)

PASSION THE HIDDEN TREASURE by Duncan Mwangi (07-1464)

Everyone has a specific area in which they shine. But the question behind everyone’s mind today is can the passion be turned into an income generating venture? 

Tony Mukuria

Meet Tony Mukuria Maina a second year Daystar University student from Athi River Campus who is currently working for MTV. As one enters his house there are amazing photographs of Nairobi hanged around the room. Next to the television is an amazing photo of his dad with the words ‘the greatest gift in my life’. At one corner is his recently acquired camera responsible for all this amazing creations.

Before the interview starts he reaches for an old photo album of the first photographs he ever took. “As you can see I was the official family photographer back then”. If it there was one thing Tony loved the most when he was young was not a toy car or a video game but a camera. “I used to manipulate the camera and get very great photos. At times the camera manipulation could land me into trouble with my dad.” 

The same passion for photography further heightened his interest in electronic media. This led to him joining Daystar University where he got a chance to sharpen his skills in what he calls ‘photoshoping’ or simply the art of editing a photo using a photo editing software called Adobe Photoshop. “I met a friend of mine who taught me quite a lot about Photoshop. He also had the same passion for photography. While he provided me with the knowledge, the Athi River environment provided the best setting for taking photographs.” 

Tony recalls days when the two used to wake up early in the morning just to take photographs of the scenic sunrise of Athi River. “One time we woke up at around five in the morning just to wait for the sun to rise however, it was a foggy day and the sun was barely visible. As we were going back to our hostel, we saw a Zebra grazing. We took some shots just as it was disappearing in the bush. Its one of the memorable photographs I have in my collection.”  

He started earning from his passion by creating posters for the Daystar University Students Association (DUSA). After this he formed his first organization dubbed, Design Republik that earned him more income thanks to the many posters he made for DUSA and also from making banners for various clubs in Daystar University. 

“I however felt that this was not my destiny. While I was excelling in using Photoshop to create amazing posters, I was not doing anything with my passion for photography. I felt like I it was not my original work. The posters were all fantastic. In fact some have even earned me quite a sizeable income but at the end of the day I felt that I had not done what I believe was my calling.”  

While he was still trying to figure out which path he would choose to follow between photography and ‘photoshoping’ he met Zenno Peterson, the Director of Photography for Shuga.   He is also the man behind the series Jacob Cross that aired on both Mnet and KTN. According to Tony, Zenno has helped him a lot in terms of photography. “He took me in and showed me new ways of manipulating cameras.” Zino also helped him in terms of choosing the right environment for taking photographs and the right way to manipulate light to get perfect shots. It only took a month of working with Zino and his crew that Tony decided to close his old organization, Design Republik to form Mukuria Pichagraphy. 

After two months was called back to MTV to work in the Director of Photography Mentorship program that helps talented photographers with equipment and also trains them further on new techniques in visual arts.

His impressive skills in camera landed him a job as a photographer in the on going shooting of Shuga season two in Nairobi. He is one of the photographers charged with taking photographs, editing them and presenting it to Zenno for approval. “I am working with one of the biggest names in Africa in the movie making business something I dreamt of two years ago. I finally felt that my passion was starting to earn me something.” 

Tony’s father says that he is glad that his son is doing amazing things with his talent and passion. “I remember when he was young how he used to ask me to buy him a camera and how he loved taking photographs. He loves what he does and I will continue to give him the necessary support. I hope that he continues with the same spirit.” His long time friend Henry Mutisia says that Tony has a passion not only in photography but also in design. “Tony is a person who I knew ever since he joined Daystar. You could always see him with two things in campus, a book and a camera or if the books were not there a laptop was on hand to make amazing posters. He was a guy destined to be behind the camera and I am glad that his dream has now become a reality,” he said. 

In terms of challenges Tony says, “Time is my greatest challenge. I was supposed to be in session this semester but the MTV job has made it difficult to go back to school. Maybe next year I will be back to continue with my studies.”  He concluded by saying that people should be encouraged to work towards their passion. They should also not forget to ask God for guidance when doing so as He is the giver of talents and fulfiller of dreams. Thanks to his decision, he now earns more than he used to. 

In 1921, a man by the name of Akio Morita was born into this world. His father owned a large wine producing factory in Japan. His father hoped that he would one day grow up and take over his firm. Akio however was destined for more. He loved physics and mathematics, subjects that fueled his undying love for electronics. After graduating from high school, he turned down his father’s offer of running the wine factory and instead taught Physics at the Osaka Imperial University. 

Akio Morita (picture from sony.com)

He later met Masaru Ibuka who also had the same love for electronics. The two friends formed Sony Corporation. From the DVDs we love to watch, to the flash discs that we use carry our documents and not forgetting the beautiful flat screen televisions were have come to love; are all from Akio and Masaru undying passion and love for electronics. According to Forbes Magazine their company is now valued at more than 155 billion US dollars. 

So back to the question, can we really turn our passion into an income generating venture? The answer is yes but we only need to work towards our passion just like Tony, Akio and Masaru did. 

 

The actual interview with Tony

By Duncan Wachira (07-1464)

For COM 349 X

The story is a profile

Word Count: 1,177