As an introduction, this film shows how NGOs use the Living Classroom series as integral to their training, using pause-points and practical lessons outside to encourage thinking about different ideas and techniques. When the films were piloted with farmers in Swaziland, data was captured on changes in participant knowledge and comprehension.

Without prior knowledge on the topic/film, the knowledge baseline was 24%; after watching the film once without pausing for discussion, this increased to 57%; and when facilitated with pause-points for discussion, this increased to 78%.

Using Living Classroom films as part of facilitated co-learning therefore represented an increase of over 325%.

This film shows how Swazi NGO, Guba has used the Living Classroom, as part of its interactive facilitation.

In this 15 minute film on homestead design, Jacob encourages us to start at the beginning, and to consider the layout of our homesteads - thinking carefully about the resources we have and need, in order to optimise our productive potential with a more integrated design. Key aspects include human needs when thinking about water capture, soil management, nursery placement, livestock protection, as well as pollination, crops and shelter belts.

In this 17 minute film on plant and seed propagation, Tholina shares her lifelong knowledge and skills on how to set up an efficient nursery. She tells us about her techniques for seed selection, storage and propagation. And shows us some tricks on taking vegetative cuttings for vegetables, herbs and other hard wood species, as well as the different soil preparations and watering approaches to be considered – all using what we have available to us.

April 12th 1959.

Audio of Tom Mboya's appearance on NBC's "Meet The Press".

Tom Mboya (1930-1969), the Kenyan trade union and political leader of international repute, was a key figure in Kenya's transition from a British colony to an independent country. His debating and oratorical skills earned him widespread admiration in his country and abroad, including the United States where he spoke on national TV and addressed civil rights rallies.

He was intrumental in founding Africa's first continental labour organisation.

He worked with both Senator John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King jr. to create educational opportunities for African students. Among the beneficiaries were future Nobel Laureate, Wangari Maathai and Barack Hussein Obama Snr., the father of the future U.S. President.

A contemporary of Kwame Nkrumah, Mboya came to public prominence at a relatively young age. He was perceived as a protege of Nkrumah's within the Pan-Africanist movement, and later as a rival.

In Kenya, where he later served as Minister for Economic Planning and Development, he was highly esteemed but was seen as a rival to key figures within the Kikuyu establishment.

His assassin was identified as Nahashon Isaac Njenga Njoroge.

But controversy and conspiracy theories endure over his murder.

Many Luos believed at the time had Mboya's murder was organised by members of Kenya's Kikuyu dominated elite. Many were convinced of Jomo Kenyatta's responsibility on the grounds that Mboya presented a threat to his leadership. Njoroge's words of "Why don't you go after the big man?" helped to fuel this.

An alternate theory lays the blame for Mboya's murder on the supporters of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who it is claimed feared that Mboya's appeal was taking support away from him among the Luo.

The photograph is dated June 4th 1963.

Photo Credit: Top Foto.

Original Credit for Audio Broadcast: NBC.

December 28th 1958.

Audio of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's appearance on NBC's "Meet The Press".

Nkrumah, the Prime Minister of the recently independent Ghana, was visiting the United States at the invitation of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Original Credit: NBC.