Every day, Hamis teaches a break dancing class to children from Nsambya, a slum in Kampala, Uganda. The moves are intricate, so he takes his time and is especially patient with the younger ones. Born in Rwanda but raised in Uganda, “Future” as Hamisi is known in the hip-hop world here, says break dancing has given him a sense of purpose and a future.
I get my school fees from break dance, there are other needs of life that I need and I get them also from break dance. So I always tell them that if you keep focused doing what is right and what you want, you will be where you want to be.” Hamisi “Future” Ahmed, Break Dancer
The 29-year-old was introduced to hip hop culture at the Breakdance Project Uganda, a youth organisation that uses break dancing and other creative art forms to promote positive social change.
“Whenever they hear music, of course they will go see what is happening at that place so we use that to sensitise them about different things about life so that they can help their community, the community will benefit from them as they develop the community.” adds Hamisi
In low-income areas like Nsambya, poverty and high unemployment often mean many young people resort to crime and a life on the streets. Future and the other dancers, who work with the kids here, believe the discipline and skills they teach can help to empower and inspire their students.
I wouldn’t be who I am if it was not for the Break Dance Project. It has helped me in my life and has taught me to know the difference between right and wrong. I have learnt a lot of what I need to know as a girl and it has taken me places I had never been to. It has literally helped build self confidence.” said Sanyu Muhanuka, Contestant
Breaking dancing is one of the most popular hip hop art forms in Uganda. BPU regularly holds events that bring together the best b-boys and b-girls in the country. Popping and locking, the dancers battle each other for supremacy. Founder and director of the Breakdance Project Uganda, Tekya Abraham “Abramz” is one of the judges at the main showcase.
“We will transform a number of lives or we have transformed a lot of them already, even including mine, hip hop transformed me and it gave me self esteem as someone who dropped out of school and had no money for further education but now to see that hip hop we are actually helping people go to school for me it’s more of an example.” Abraham “Abramz” Tekya, Founder And Director, Breakdance Project Uganda
Break dancing is giving these kids a platform to express themselves and is teaching them how they too can be positive role models in their communities.
