YAMAKASI: A BRAINBONGO STORY

Back in 2012, I had just finished my O-level studies and I was waiting for results in order to join high-school. I had so much time on my hand since the waiting time is about 6 months. During that time I decided to expose myself to the world (just got my first mobile phone that could access the internet). I wanted to learn as much as I could about different people, cultures, religions and even the world's economy and politics. I got to read books about how companies like Apple, Microsoft, Toshiba were established. I also read biographies of different people including Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi and something about their stories was so inspiring. I realized that all these people had something in common; they all CHANGED the world as we know it. Each in his own way. Part of me wanted to do the same.



We all had dreams as kids. When everything was so clear, the possibilities were endless. But somehow as we grow, we tend to change and modify our dreams to fit our circumstances and situations. As kids, we may not know what we wanted to do (careers/professions) but we have always known what we wanted to be. Now, because I had an exciting new mission to change the world like the people who inspired me, it was time to look back to my childhood and try to figure out what my dream was. This was so hard as it is to many people. I had to look into things that I was instinctively interested in and things that I naturally excelled at. That was my way of figuring out.

It is worth noting that we can all change the world, some in big ways and some in small ways, it doesn't really matter. You may not affect the entire world but if you manage to inspire only a handful of people to follow their dreams, whatever they do and whomever they inspire thereafter is the fruits of your seed. So, don't worry about the numbers.

Four years back (2008) I had came across a French film called YAMAKASI and I loved it so much. Something about the movie spoke to me. By the way, films have always been part of my life growing up, we didn't have a TV set at home in my early years. In fact there was no electricity in our township until I was about 15 years of age so to watch films, I had to go to Cinema places (known in swahili as vibanda umiza) where they were using generators. I was saving the pocket money I was given for school in order to pay for entrance and when I didn't have enough I had to collect empty soda bottles and in exchange, I was allowed to enter the cinema place. I remember one day there were no more soda bottles to go with so I had to arrive early and offer to help sweep the floors and in exchange for my service I got to watch a movie or two. My love for film can be reflected in the choices I made later on in life. 

Now, back to YAMAKASI, in short, the movie is about 7 young men in France who were practicing parkour. Each one of them came from a different background and ethnicity and each had a unique ability that is different from the other and it all came in play when they had to find the money for a heart transplant of a 9-years old kid who fell from a tree while imitating their tricks. This story never left my head since then. To some, they were seen as rebels because they didn't conform to the ways of things (the society norms) but to some they were heroes.  As I was trying to figure out how my life , this story came back to my mind and I had my "Eureka" moment...


I discovered I am at my best when am in the team (and to be honest much better when am the captain, lol).  I knew I needed people who think like and different in their own ways. I realized I needed people with an extraordinary amount of determination to live to their full potential without conforming to the way "things are supposed to be". I knew I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. And that is how BRAINBONGO was born.

For those who don't already know, BrainBongo is a collective of like-minds. Each person is so different and insanely talented. Everyone brings something unique to the table. Our work is but not limited to Photography, Film (remember the story about Vibanda Umiza), Sound Design, Advertising, and Marketing Communications.




P. S This is just the beginning. I will be sharing our story bit by bit as we go so, be sure to check this blog regularly. If you want to know why we called it "BrainBongo" CLICK HERE. To check out our official website CLICK HERE

Hope you enjoyed this. Be sure to leave a comment and it will make my day. Cheers!






Geofrey Mtatiro

I'm a storyteller by trade but a problem-solver by birth. I find creative ways to tell stories of Individuals, Brands, Businesses & Organizations through Photography, Film Production & Advertising. In 2012, I founded BRAINBONGO to do just that while still in high school with the help of a few friends. Through the years, we have become really good at it. We love it and we live it. We are #EXTRAORDINARY!

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