Matata and Friends: Support Kenyan puppetry

Hi, I'm Johanna Smith and I'm an internationally known Puppetry educator, Professor, and author. Recently I traveled to Kenya and got to know an extraordinary Kenyan puppetry artist named Fedelis Kyalo. Fedelis is in a unique position to be an executive producer of a puppet show for kids about conservation in Kenya, "Matata in the Mara." His long career has prepared him for this moment and I am impressed with the team and resources he has assembled for this project. You can see a sample of the work they've done to educate Kenyan kids about Covid safety in the shared video. Fedelis clearly has a talented producing partner, a studio facility, and the know-how to make this a Kenyan-led production, and that's huge. As his friend and fellow professional puppeteer I wholeheartedly support and endorse his efforts to create this show, and I invite you to support him too!