Suggested Speaker for Rotary Clubs

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Project HAND UP uses the performing arts to teach health science.  When you invite us to do a Rotary Club presentation we will also demonstrate many of the engaging ways that we grab and hold an audience’s attention.

Contact Darren directly at: +254 718 043 050 or [email protected]


Press Kit For Rotary Clubs

Presentation Name:
Opportunity Through Adversity – Pivoting (Puppet) Projects During Covid-19
 
 
Presentation Description:
Project HAND UP is a Rotary initiative that operates in Kenya and teaches health education with puppets.
 
Puppetry is well suited for discussing health issues that are taboo, difficult to discuss or require a change in culture or behavior to mitigate negative impact.
 
“Edutainment” puppet shows literally bring people together and hold attention for long stretches to get into the details that need to be discussed.  Exactly the learning environment that Covid-19 prevents.  However, the project is thriving in 2020, because of key changes that have been made in response to the worldwide pandemic.
 
Rotarian Darren will “Zoom” in from his little house made of cow-dung located on the edge of the Nairobi National Park in Kenya – with photos, videos and stories of how Covid-19 is being dealt with on the national, township, village, and home level in the context of his work in the health education space.
 
BIO:

Rotarian Darren Collins is a professional variety entertainer who has traveled around the world teaching the performing arts and presenting family comedy shows.  He has trained over 20,000 puppeteers in 49 states and over 15 countries.

He is currently the International Director for a non-profit in DeSoto, Texas called Project HAND UP.   Project Hand Up is dedicated to writing, producing, distributing, and implementing HIV Prevention and AIDS Education puppet and magic shows in East Africa.  These shows are designed to reach large audiences with basic health science education that would otherwise not be taught due to their sensitive subject matter.

In 2017 Darren was a recipient of the “Service Above Self Award” from Rotary International for his work in Kenya.  He’s a graduate of Rotary University and the Rotary International Leadership Institute and is a member of the Paul Harris Society.

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