When Suuna Hassan and Madinah Babirah founded Masaka Kids Africana in the Masaka District of Uganda, they hoped to help a handful of orphaned children and other young people living on the streets. They had no way of knowing where their efforts would lead or that one day the whole world would be watching.

Directors David Vieira Lopez and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Moses Bwayo (“Bobi Wine: The People’s President”) join Ken on the pod to discuss this extraordinary organization, as well as the viral dance videos performed by the children of Masaka that caught the world’s attention during the pandemic. David, who was a volunteer at the organization at the time, and Moses, who is himself Ugandan, teamed up to tell the powerful story behind this Internet sensation. To their credit, the filmmakers are just as impressed with what Nabirah and Ian, and other children of Masaka, have to say, as with the dance steps that made these kids famous. In a place where HIV/AIDS has afflicted many thousands of people over the years and left many young people orphaned, Masaka Kids Africana is not just a symbol of hope but a vibrant community that is actively changing young people’s lives.

“Masaka Kids: A Rhythm Within” will be released on Netflix on December 9th.

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