Mildmay Kenya: Magnet Theatre Project

Magnet Theatre approach

Magnet Theatre was a form of outdoor community theatre that entertained, educated and involved audiences directly in problem‑solving. Hour‑long performances explored local dilemmas and invited audience members to suggest solutions or step into roles to act them out. This participatory model created a safe space to test ideas and encouraged individual and community‑wide behaviour change. Unlike ad‑hoc street theatre, Magnet Theatre targeted a specific, repeat audience at regular times and venues, building a forum where behaviour change could be reinforced.

Programme focus

The “KAA RADA KUWA SMARTTA” programme (“be careful, be wise”) targeted young people in Siaya County. Performances retold true stories to raise understanding of sex, sexuality and HIV, linked participants to HIV testing, treatment and sexual health services, and promoted diversity, compassion and peer networks advocating for stronger HIV and SRHR provision.

Challenges:

• Reaching more young people and connecting governance to service delivery remained essential.

• Without understanding how governance affected healthcare, education and employment, youth empowerment risked stalling.

• Government investment in the arts, visual and performing, was limited.

Activities:

• Five‑day Magnet Theatre training for 10 volunteer youths who supported outreach and mentored peers to run edutainment sessions, mobilising access to RH/HIV information and services.

• Two Magnet Theatre sessions ahead of World AIDS Day drew 215 youths; 49 girls received HPV vaccination, 32 were screened for cervical cancer, 15 accessed family planning, and 102 tested for HIV.

• A two‑day sensitisation workshop trained 15 youth group leaders in HIV prevention, care and treatment to ensure accurate mentoring within troupes.

• Engagements with Sub‑County Health Management Teams aligned theatre with health promotion priorities.

• Quarterly workshops for youth leaders reflected on successes and addressed programme challenges.

Objectives and results:

• Objective 1 (HIV testing and linkage): Outreach reached 16,800 youths with HIV/SRH education; 12,800 were tested, 33 diagnosed with HIV and linked to treatment and care. Young people living with HIV joined support groups for psychosocial and adherence counselling and were trained as peer educators, using Magnet Theatre techniques to convey treatment literacy.

• Objective 2 (SRHR knowledge): SRHR knowledge improved among 16,800 youths through sessions co‑developed with field staff, theatre trainers of trainers (ToTs) and the reproductive health coordinator. Access increased: 243 girls received HPV vaccination; 65 underage girls were referred for antenatal care and enrolled in teenage mothers’ groups; 623 were enrolled in family planning.

• Objective 3 (creative advocacy capacity): The programme aimed to develop 138 SRHR advocates annually (18 ToTs and 120 troupe trainees). Ten representatives from Ulusi, Bondo Youth Group, Bondo Comedian Youth Group, Amkeni and Rarieda Community Network of Youths (RACONET) were trained; two became ToTs and each mentored five peers, creating 50 additional Magnet Theatre providers. Youths created original content—satire, comedy—staging shows at markets, football tournaments and landing beaches, common social hubs in rural Siaya.

• Objective 4 (broader public awareness): Performances mobilised players and audiences to reflect on adolescent SRHR. Sessions were paired with “know your rights” campaigns; pro bono lawyers addressed access to health services and gender‑based violence. A legal clinic followed; five defilement cases were referred for redress.

County context and support

Siaya County carried a high HIV burden, 24.8% overall, with youth (15–24) prevalence at 6.2%, triple the national youth rate. Support from the Make a Difference (MAD) Trust in 2019 enabled integration of music, drama and poetry, expanding reach. The County Health Promotion Office noted theatre made health talks “simple and fun,” and additional youth groups invited Mildmay to mentor peers, bringing “Trainers of Trainees” totals above plan.

Impact

Magnet Theatre established a repeat, trusted forum for youth engagement; increased testing, vaccination, screening and family planning uptake; strengthened peer advocacy and creative communication; and connected community narratives to health services and legal support.

Thank you.

We are grateful to the Make a Difference Trust for supporting this project.

Thanks to this support, we have additionally been able to incorporate music, drama, poetry and other project activities which have made them more vibrant.