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OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MUSEUM
Hon. Otieno Kajwang' addresses the
gathering; behind him is Museum Curator, Jack Obonyo
Minister for
Immigration), the Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Rebecca Nabutola,
Hon. Mille Odhiambo, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Tourism
Board, Dr Achieng Ongon’ga, the French Ambassador to Kenya, Madame
Elisabeth Barbier , Representatives
from the Tourism Trust Fund and the European Union, cultural
attachés from the US and French Embassy, as well as
representatives from the Provincial Administration. The gathering was
entertained by local school groups, as well as by internationally
acclaimed Kenyan singer, Suzanna Owiyo, who thrilled the crowd.
The Opening
ceremony was a colourful event that was well-attended by hundreds of
community members from Suba District. All TARA staff members and
attendants of the TARA exhibition at the National Museums of Kenya were
also on hand to witness a culmination of the collective efforts towards
the completion of the project. Speakers at the function marvelled at
the beauty of the region and pledged their support both in cash and in
kind towards the museum. In Kenya, where museums are government-run,
this is a unique initiative in that it is fully managed by the
community. The new Museum is the gateway to the heritage of the Abasuba
people through both exhibitions and public programmes that are
innovative and sustainable. Throughout the process of building, TARA
has enjoyed the full collaboration with the Museum Board, the community
members, the Provincial Administration and other stakeholders. This has
been a very exciting as well as challenging project for TARA and it
will no doubt be building upon the experiences gained to initiate
community projects in other areas on continent.
Mzee
Hamisi, the Chairman of the Abasuba Council of Elders, takes
dignitaries and community
members on a tour of the museum gallery
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& images ©
2008 TARA