Episode Summaries – Series 2
| Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 |
| Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 |
| Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12 |
| Episode 13 |
Episode 1: The Prodigal Son
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | It has been 7 months since the pharmacy fire. Albert is worried that Nancy’s not sleeping enough; pregnant women need 8 hours sleep a night. | Health in pregnancy | |
| Karis brings Cheryl breakfast in bed to show he loves her. Is he a changed man? He asks Cheryl for a loan of 2000 shillings to buy a new suit. Clearly not! | Debt | ||
| Red tells her parents she doesn’t want to go to university. She wants to be a musician. | Career choices | ||
| Ananius Matano has arrived in town and complains that the cyber cafe’s never open. He is looking for an office. | |||
| Peggy is now HIV positive and hasn’t been taking her medicine. | Living with HIV | ||
| Washington is now a bishop! He is arguing with Dr Charles, the new doctor. | |||
| Nancy is 30 weeks pregnant and goes to receive the second round of anti-malarial treatment from Dr Charles. She is having nightmares. We learn that Maspeedy saved Nancy from the fire. | Malaria and pregnancy | ||
| The barbers say Snake burnt down the pharmacy as revenge. No-one knows where he is. Mr Matano wants to rent the building that Snake owns. | Arson | ||
| Dr Charles explains to Peggy that she needs to take ARVs and eat well for the sake of her baby (Hannah). Thankfully the baby was born HIV negative. Peggy is kept in hospital under observation. | HIV and childcare | ||
| Margaret complains that MaSpeedy is late with the milk. | |||
| Priscilla asks Karis to be master of ceremonies at the health centre opening, to show the community he’s changed. She lends him money for new shoes. | Lying to parents | ||
| Dr Charles complains to Mr Matano that Makutano is too small and there’s not enough to do. Albert explains the pharmacy arsonist wasn’t caught. Matano wants to rent the pharmacy and use it as his office. Albert says he should talk to Mr Mabuki and doesn’t consult Nancy. Mama Mboga tells Albert off for this. | Life in a small town | ||
| Part ii) | Red goes to visit PP but PP has work to do. Bernadette invites Red in for brunch. | Adolescence – responsibilities | |
| Nancy goes back to the pharmacy and bumps into Mr Matano. She says she doesn’t want the pharmacy anymore. | |||
| The Mulanis and the Barakas meet on the way to the opening ceremony. Bernadette explains about brunch – “we do things the American way”. Red has been admitted to the university but is refusing to go. PP is doing electronics. Rose explains music can be a career these days but Bernadette is sceptical. |
American culture Career choices |
||
| Mama Mboga visits Nancy. Nancy explains she doesn’t mind about the pharmacy as she wants somewhere new to build on after the pregnancy. They discuss Dr Charles – he’s unmarried and has many female admirers. | Planning to work after pregnancy | ||
| Dr Charles explains the health centre is employing a trained counsellor for HIV patients. | HIV counselling | ||
| Mr Baraka has prepared a speech for the opening of health centre, but so has Karis. | |||
| Peggy discharged herself from hospital. Mama Mboga leaves the ceremony to go and find her. | Living with HIV – in denial | ||
| Bishop Washington blesses the Health Centre but his speech turns into a sermon! | |||
| Mama Mboga finds Peggy at home, drinking. | Alcoholism | ||
| Karis thanks the women of Makutano for setting up the health centre. | |||
| Winston introduces the chief and Dr Charles. Dr Charles introduces the nurses and Mr Matano, who helped fund the hospital. Snake arrives and the crowd chases him away. |
Episode 2: Give and Take
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Snake is cleaning the hospital. Dr Charles explains to Mama Mboga that Snake is doing community service and asks her to give him a second chance. Peggy is depressed and refusing to eat. |
Community service HIV and depression |
|
| Nancy tells Albert to stop worrying about her pregnancy. | |||
| Bishop Washington is handing out leaflets outside Mabuki’s bar denouncing alcohol. Winston isn’t happy as it’s bad for business. | Alcohol and business |
Citizenship 2.3 |
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| Albert is fussing over Nancy. He tells Mama Mboga off for being late opening the Internet cafe. She explains about Peggy and Hannah. Nancy has indigestion and Mama Mboga says that means she’s going to have a baby boy! Albert says that’s nonsense. | Pregnancy, caring for family | ||
| Rose went to see Peggy. Bernadette says everyone’s saying Peggy has AIDS and has been sleeping around. Rose encourages Bernadette to go and see Peggy, telling her it could happen to anyone. | HIV – misconceptions | ||
| Mr Matano asks the market ladies if they have a co-operative. He finds out about the merry-go-round scheme. Margaret doesn’t trust Matano. | Trade - co-operatives | ||
| Bishop Washington brings 3 children back to school – he found them selling groundnuts in the village. Rose tells them off. They are Kara (16), Brian (10) and Toby (5). Rose tells Kara to fetch their mother but Kara explains their mother died two weeks ago, and their father is also dead. Rose calls an emergency meeting. | Money worries and orphans |
Citizenship 1.2 |
|
| Part ii): | Mama Mboga tells Matano she misses working in the market. Matano tells Mama Mboga about his cooperative idea and asks her to help him convince the market women, but Mama Mboga is too busy. | Trade - co-operatives | |
| Dr Charles tells Peggy off for not eating. Peggy thinks the villagers are talking about her behind her back. Dr Charles says to think positively – if she takes the drugs she can live a normal life. | Living with HIV | ||
| Nancy has a craving for sausages! Albert says it’s all in the mind. He wants her to eat healthily. | Health in pregnancy | ||
| Snake tells Peggy she has lost all her beauty and no man will ever look at her again. Dr Charles dismisses him but he leaves his cleaning fluids behind. | |||
| Nancy and Albert are choosing baby names. Albert tells Mboga that customers should come first – she’s been neglecting them. They argue. Mama Mboga accuses Albert of being lazy. She quits her job. | Business etiquette. | ||
| Bernadette comes to see Peggy but she’s drunk the cleaning fluid and is unconscious. | Suicide | ||
| Mama Mboga wants to go back to the market. Margaret tells her that business is bad. Mama Mboga convinces the other market ladies to talk to Mr Matano. Bernadette rushes up and tells Mama Mboga about Peggy. They run to hospital. | Co-operative | ||
| PTA meeting. Rose explains the situation and says they have to find homes for Kara, Brian and Toby. Winston suggests starting an orphanage? Rose says she can take Kara and Toby. Bernadette agrees to take Brian (Rose says he’s a bit of a handful). | Community working together |
Citizenship 2.3 |
|
| Dr Charles tells Mama Mboga that Peggy is dead. | |||
| Albert has invited his mother to stay. Nancy is not happy! |
Episode 3: Life Saver
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Karis asks Cheryl if they can stop using condoms. She’s on the Pill but really doesn’t want to get pregnant. Karis doesn’t want a baby either so they agree to keep using condoms. | Contraception | |
| Albert’s mother has been tidying up and generally interfering. Nancy doesn’t like it! She tells Nancy to stop eating eggs as they make the baby fat. Nancy doesn’t believe it. | Health in pregnancy | ||
| Mboga asks Maspeedy if he’s been tested for HIV. She makes him put up AIDS awareness posters. | HIV/AIDS awareness | ||
| Matano is still interested in renting the old pharmacy and turning it into an office. But people say it’s haunted. Bishop Washington wants to set up an orphanage. Matano’s organisation can’t help (he does training and capacity-building), but gives him details of NGOs who can. | Superstitions NGOs | ||
| Mama Mboga is handing out HIV leaflets in the market, telling people to get tested. Dr Charles stops her putting up posters – says she can’t force her views on people. Cheryl wants to get tested but is nervous as she heard one of her ex-partners died of AIDS. Margaret encourages her, and says she’ll get tested at the same time. | HIV/AIDS awareness and testing | ||
| Albert’s mother gives Nancy an iron tablet and a maternity dress. Nancy doesn’t like the dress! Albert’s mother thinks the baby is a girl. | Interfering parents | ||
| Bishop Washington tells Karis about his plans for the orphanage. He asks Karis to sit on the board but Karis says he doesn’t work for charity. Bishop Washington explains it’ll help Karis’s reputation in Makutano. Karis agrees and says he’ll ask his dad to be a trustee. | Orphanage |
Citizenship 1.2 |
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| Mama Mboga puts up AIDS poster in the barbers’. Ben is unhappy – she ripped down a Bob Marley poster! | HIV/AIDS awareness | ||
| Baraka tells off Maspeedy for putting up posters when he should be working, and for defacing the hardware store. | |||
| Matano asks Priscilla to help him inspect the pharmacy premises. She’s worried it’s haunted but doesn’t want to admit it. | Superstitions | ||
| Part ii): | The chief arrests Mama Mboga for disturbing the peace – she’s been putting up posters on private property. The chief explains it’s against the law, but Mama Mboga explains she’s grieving. Baraka and the barbers agree not to press charges and the barbers will hang up an AIDS poster. |
HIV/AIDS awareness Disturbing the peace |
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| Albert’s mother tells Nancy off for wearing tight trousers – she’s worried they will crush the baby. She won’t let her go for a walk alone either. Albert comes home and lets Nancy go. | Pregnancy, interfering parents | ||
| Mama Mboga, Nancy and Maspeedy take down the AIDS posters. | |||
| Nancy asks Dr Charles if she can work in the health centre. He gives her a job, but she hasn’t consulted Albert. | Secrecy in relationships | ||
| Matano looks around the disused pharmacy. Priscilla tells Karis to use Winston’s money for the pharmacy. She tells him to talk to Winston about being a trustee for the orphanage. There are rats in the pharmacy building. | |||
| Cheryl goes for an HIV test with Margaret. | HIV testing | ||
| Bishop tells Karis to turn to God but Karis refuses. | |||
| Nancy tells Albert and his mother she’s working at the pharmacy. Albert’s mother is worried about chemicals harming the baby. Nancy stands up to her and tells her to stop interfering. | Pregnancy, interfering parents |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 1.4 |
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| Cheryl is HIV negative. Margaret is HIV positive although she hasn’t slept with anyone since she was widowed. She is too ashamed to tell anyone. | Anyone can contract HIV |
Episode 4: New Beginnings
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Winston asks Karis to be his election campaign manager. He needs money. Winston is worried about Karis’s relationship with Cheryl but Karis reassures him that she’s not a long term girlfriend. |
Elections and reputations |
Citizenship 1.1 |
| Kara is catching up with her schoolwork. Red, who’s left school, accuses her of sucking up to Rose. Rose asks Red to sort through her wardrobe and give Kara her cast-offs, and asks her to tidy the house. | Sibling rivalry | ||
| Cheryl and Mama Mboga see Margaret taking pills but she lies and says they’re vitamin pills. | HIV – living a lie | ||
| Red asks Karis if she can sing at the bar. She says it will be good for business and she’ll do it for free. | Red’s career choice | ||
| Maspeedy is doing the accounts. He’s mislaid some of Baraka’s money. PP tells him not to worry and says he will check the accounts book. Maspeedy starts his deliveries. | Money worries | ||
| Karis tells Albert and Nancy about Red performing. Nancy wants to go but Albert doesn’t want her to overdo it. | Pregnancy | ||
| Margaret and Anna are having a fight. Anna accuses Margaret of bewitching her husband and son, who are ill. Anna’s son has a distended stomach and his hair is falling out. Matano intervenes. He says her husband and son are malnourished because Anna is selling all her food and not keeping any for her family. | Superstition and malnutrition | ||
| Bill and Ben want to re-open the old video hall that Karis and Snake used to run. Dr Charles advises them to draw up a business plan. Mr Matano says they could use their existing premises to start a video library, which would save money. | Business and economising | ||
| Mr Matano brings Dr Charles to the market who says Anna’s son is suffering from lack of protein. Anna can’t afford to buy meat, but Matano explains beans and other vegetables contain protein. If they work together as a co-operative, they can afford to grow these types of vegetables and share the produce and profits. |
Malnutrition The co-operative |
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| Karis tells Snake to charge the outsiders an entrance fee to the bar tonight but let the locals in for free. Karis will use the profits to pay off Snake’s associate. He plans to rent out his father’s land, even though he doesn’t own it. | Debts and dodgy deals | ||
| Nancy is taking vitamins. Dr Charles advises her not to go to the bar but Sharon encourages her. Dr Charles says Red should go to the city to start her music career. Sharon and the hairdresser try and persuade Dr Charles to go to the gig. | Pregnancy | ||
| Part ii): | Maspeedy tells PP he wants to start his own milk bar. He will buy the milk from Baraka. He asks PP to become his business partner and they agree to ask Matano for funding. PP is late for rehearsal with Red but Maspeedy drags him off to find Matano. | Setting up a business | |
| Kara hasn’t started her homework yet. Rose congratulates Red on the housework but it’s obvious that Kara did it all. Red and Kara are getting on better. | Family relationships | ||
| Mama Mboga tries to persuade Margaret to join the co-operative. She refuses – what if one of the members gets into debt? Her money would be in jeopardy. | Benefits of joining a co-operative | ||
| Albert plans to cook for Nancy but she goes to the bar, despite Albert’s misgivings. | |||
| Ben and Bill talk to Matano about the video business. They ask for a loan from Matano’s NGO but he says they don’t lend money to that kind of business. | Information about NGOs |
Geography 1.4 |
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| Red is unhappy that PP isn’t in the bar. | |||
| Cheryl goes to visit Margaret who hasn’t gone to the gig. Margaret lies about why she hasn’t gone. | Living with HIV | ||
| Everyone likes Red’s singing. Matano enters and pays Snake at the door. Ben tells Matano that he should have got in for free, and goes to sort it out. | Underhand business deals | ||
| Nancy goes into labour. Karis goes to fetch Albert. Karis and Albert talk, and Karis reassures Albert that his feelings for Nancy are all in the past. | Giving birth | ||
| Nancy has a baby boy and she and Albert make up. |
Episode 5: The truth will be out
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Maspeedy is running late. Baraka tells him off – they have no way of preserving milk and it will go off if he’s late. | Milk hygiene | |
| Cheryl is upset that Karis is so busy. | |||
| Mama Mboga sees Margaret running to the hospital and confronts her. Margaret doesn’t tell her the truth. Matano tells the market women their application to join the micro finance program has been approved, provided they hold elections to appoint officials. |
Stigma of HIV Local business Democratic elections |
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| Nancy is going food shopping. The market women are bringing gifts for her and the baby. Nancy asks for fresh vegetables but the market women don’t have any fresh ones today. | Importance of fresh food | ||
| Bishop Washington needs more milk for the orphanage. Maspeedy doesn’t have enough with him but will come back. | |||
| Maria arrives with her daughter. They are looking for Albert. Dr Charles sees Cheryl sketching and asks her to do some paintings for the hospital. | |||
| Nancy has a new kind of treated mosquito net. Babies are very vulnerable to malaria. Market women go to greet the baby and sing. Margaret gets upset and leaves. | Malaria in infants | ||
| Matano’s NGO can buy a milk cooler for Maspeedy and PP. Matano says they both need a medical certificate but PP doesn’t have one. They should also go for regular check-ups. They need to pay 30% of the start-up costs to Matano – 12000 shillings. They don’t have that kind of money. | Obstacles in setting up a business. |
Science 1.2 |
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| Albert sees Maria and her daughter. Maspeedy complains of a headache and falls unconscious. Maria and her daughter turn up at Albert’s house. | |||
| Part ii): | Albert tells Nancy that Maria is his cousin. Nancy invites them in. |
Secrecy in relationships Hospitality to family |
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| Maspeedy is in hospital with malaria. He didn’t tell Baraka he was ill because he needed to keep working and earn money. Now he’s worried about his medical bill. Dr Charles gives him some new, expensive ACT drugs. He has to avoid milk. | Malaria, cost of treatment | ||
| It transpires that Albert and Maria had a relationship. | |||
| Bishop Washington has got the orphans doing jobs, and orders them around. | |||
| Baraka provided Maspeedy with a mosquito net but he sold it to pay off his debts. Baraka pays his bill and will give Maspeedy and PP money for the milk bar. | Money worries | ||
| Dr Charles buys Cheryl paints for the hospital. He is clearly interested in her. | |||
| Mama Mboga asks Margaret again what is troubling her. She tells Mama Mboga she is HIV positive. | Living with HIV | ||
| Nancy invites Maria to stay the night. Albert is unhappy about this. Maria asks Albert to look after Cynthia and says she’s his daughter, but Albert refuses to believe it. Maria wants to live with Albert and Nancy and says she’ll tell Nancy the truth if Albert doesn’t give them money. | Duty to family, blackmail |
Episode 6: Girl power
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i) | Karis apologises to Cheryl for not seeing much of her – he has been running Winston’s election campaign. They agree to have lunch. |
Relationships Local elections |
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| Baraka thinks Mabuki stands a good chance of winning. Bernadette wants him to contest the election but he’s not interested. | |||
| Albert has been giving Maria money and asks her to leave. She agrees to go without telling Nancy but says she’ll be back. | Secrecy in relationships | ||
| Mama Mboga asks Margaret to be the treasurer for the co-operative. She agrees but still doesn’t trust Matano. | Co-operative | ||
| Cheryl is painting in the hospital and flirting with Dr Charles. They almost kiss but Snake walks in. | Relationships and flirting | ||
| Margaret is elected as treasurer by the other co-operative members after pressure from Mama Mboga. Bernadette asks to join the co-operative and Mboga reluctantly agrees. Bernadette says they should have a secret ballot as it’s fairer. | Unfair elections vs secret ballot |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| Nancy tells Maria she can stay as long as she wants. | |||
| Bernadette and Mama Mboga are both running for the chairperson position. They have a secret ballot. | |||
| Karis and Snake are doing a dodgy business deal. Snake tells Karis about Cheryl flirting with Dr Charles. | Dodgy deals | ||
| Part ii): | Karis goes to the hospital and tells Dr Charles to stay away from Cheryl. Dr Charles tells Cheryl. | Relationships – jealousy | |
| Mama Mboga is elected chairperson of the co-operative, and Margaret is the treasurer. Bernadette agrees to be the secretary. They have the first committee meeting with Mr Matano. | Democratic elections and meetings |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| Karis tells Cheryl her art is a waste of time and that she should stick to selling clothes. She storms out. | |||
| Mr Matano says Margaret will be working closely with him as treasurer. He asks her for coffee. | Relationships | ||
| Albert is annoyed that Maria is staying on. She says she is still interested in him. | |||
| Matano waits for Margaret at the internet cafe. He is anxious – has he been stood up? She is working on her stall. Mama Mboga sends her to get ready and offers to close up the stall for her. | Money worries | ||
| Bernadette talks to Baraka again about standing for the election. She threatens to run if he doesn’t! He agrees to run. | Local election, family pressure |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| Margaret arrives at the cafe. Matano is so nervous he spills tea on her! They come out holding hands, but there’s a surprise in store for Margaret. Her husband’s brother has been sent by the elders of his village to ‘claim’ her. She refuses. The brother knows about her HIV and says marrying him will cure her. They go to the chief. |
First date Family rights and tribal law |
Geography 1.7 |
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| Cheryl comes to Karis’s house to give him back his clothes. She says it’s over because he doesn’t respect her. | Respect in relationships | ||
| The chief says the man can’t force Margaret to marry him. She says she wants nothing to do with her husband’s family. The elders’ judgment comes second to national law. | Tribal law vs national law |
Citizenship 1.1 |
Episode 7: All That Glitters
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Maspeedy and PP are opening the milk bar. They’ve called it Pipspeedy. Maspeedy wants to buy fresh milk but PP overrules him – he says they have enough from yesterday. | Starting a business |
PSHE (economic wellbeing) 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 |
| Nancy and Maria are getting on well and Albert is unhappy. | Secrecy in relationships | ||
| Red doesn’t want to talk to Karis. He charged an entrance fee for her gig and didn’t pay her. He says he can help her record an album but she needs to look more glamorous. |
Corruption in business The music industry |
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| Margaret tells Mama Mboga about her brother-in-law but Matano knows nothing about it. He doesn’t know about her HIV either. | HIV – secrecy in relationships | ||
| Red asks her father for money to buy a new dress but Rose refuses. She tells Red to earn her own money. | Earning a living | ||
| Matano visits Margaret at the market and gives her a bracelet. She still hasn’t told him about the HIV. | |||
| Jonathan Mulani is at the milk bar. He’s dressed very smartly for some reason. The milk cooler hasn’t arrived yet and the milk is off. Red asks PP to lend her money for a dress. | Keeping milk fresh | ||
| Red asks Albert for a job at the cafe and starts right away. Maria asks Albert for money for Cynthia’s exercise books but he refuses to give her any more money. He says he’ll tell Nancy the truth. | Money worries, blackmail | ||
| Part ii): | Albert goes home to tell Nancy but his mother has arrived unexpectedly. She reveals that Maria is not Albert’s cousin. | ||
| Albert’s mother reveals Maria is married to a farmer back home. Cynthia is the farmer’s daughter. | Lying for money | ||
| Margaret goes to see Matano and gives him the bracelet back. She’s upset but doesn’t explain. | HIV and secrecy | ||
| PP apologises to Maspeedy. Jonathan gives the pair a book about making yoghurt from sour milk. Rose says she’d like them to supply milk to the school staff. | Using resources. Expanding business. | ||
| Red is getting her hair styled to help change her image. | Beauty and appearance | ||
| Maria pleads with Nancy but Nancy throws her out. | |||
| Kara offers to help PP and Maspeedy understand the yoghurt book. | Education | ||
| Matano tells Mama Mboga that Margaret rejected him. | Relationships | ||
| Jonathan is taking Rose around the market greeting everyone. It turns out he’s standing for councillor too! | Local elections |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| Red shows PP her new haircut but he doesn’t notice; he’s too busy making yoghurt! | |||
| Albert promises not to keep anything else from Nancy. | |||
| Margaret tells Mama Mboga she’s scared of telling Matano because of what he’ll think of her. Mama Mboga says Margaret owes him the truth. | HIV and secrecy in relationships. |
Episode 8: Green Gold
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i) | Margaret still hasn’t told Matano about her HIV status. | Living with HIV |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 |
| Bishop Washington says he’s organising a trip for the orphans but something’s not right. | Corruption | ||
| The market co-operative are thinking of renting the Barakas’ land but there’s no water supply. They decide to take a look at the Mabukis’ land. | Using community land efficiently | ||
| Jonathan is asking Rose for money to fund his election campaign. She says he has no hope of winning and refuses. | Supporting family members | ||
| Bernadette is planning a party to launch Baraka’s election campaign. | |||
| Loud music at the church is affecting the barbers’ business. Bernadette and Ben go to see Bishop Washington. | Disturbing the peace |
Citizenship 1.2 |
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| Jonathan gives Bishop Washington books and money for the orphanage, and asks for his support at the election. | Bribery in election campaign |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| Priscilla agrees to ask Winston if the market women can rent their land. Bernadette invites everyone to the party. Winston is too busy to talk to Priscilla so Karis offers to show the women the land. | |||
| Baraka is still not interested in standing for the election but Bernadette won’t listen. She’s too busy organising the party. | Power in relationships | ||
| Part ii) | Karis tries to swindle the market women but they remind him that they’ll be voting in the election! He sells them the land for a good price. | Public influence |
Citizenship 1.1 |
| Bernadette has high hopes for her husband – she wants him to become an MP one day. He’s practising his speech. Bernadette is a hard taskmaster! | Power and influence, aspirations | ||
| Bishop Washington sends the orphans in a car and receives money. Is he trafficking children? He tells Rose about Jonathan’s donations to the orphanage. | Child trafficking |
Global dimension |
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| Karis gives Snake money to give to his debtors. | Problems of debt | ||
| Party at the Barakas’. Bishop Washington tells Bernadette that some of the orphans are studying for their exams so can’t come, but he’s lying. He is clearly not feeding them at the orphanage. | Mistreating children |
Global dimension |
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| The market co-operative are clearing the land of rubbish which might be dangerous to animals. Winston tells them the other plot that Karis sold them doesn’t belong to him – it’s government land! | Caring for the environment |
Global dimension |
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| Winston promises to recover the co-operative’s money. | Illegal business deals | ||
| Baraka complains about his overbearing wife. The other men say he should stand up to her. | Power in relationships |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.4, 2.3 |
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| Baraka gives a speech and explains he’s not entering the election. He endorses Mr Mulani. Bernadette is very put out. | Standing up for yourself | ||
| Winston confronts Karis and tells him to repay the co-operative. Karis tries to explain about his debts but Winston isn’t interested. | Problems of debt |
Episode 9: War of Words
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Mulani has put up his posters all over town, including on the walls of Mabuki’s bar. | Illegal canvassing |
Citizenship 1.1 |
| PP and Bernadette are arguing. PP plans to vote for Mabuki but Bernadette wants the family to show a united front. | Family loyalty vs freedom of choice |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.4, 2.3 |
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| Rose tells Nancy she’s not supporting Jonathan. | |||
| The co-operative have bought a car. Matano asks Mama Mboga to talk to Margaret on his behalf. | Benefits of joining a co-operative | ||
| Snake is campaigning for Mulani to earn money. Karis is not happy about this and complains about money. | Money worries | ||
| Margaret is struggling to come to terms with her HIV status and isn’t ready for a relationship. Mama Mboga tries to talk to her but she just wants to be left alone. | Living with HIV | ||
| Maspeedy tells off PP for answering his mother back. They discuss the election. | Respecting parents | ||
| Cheryl isn’t interested in politics but Rose explains how her vote can bring about change. Jonathan is campaigning outside. He is badmouthing Mabuki, calls him a crook and spreading rumours. Snake is taking bribes and giving out free food. Maspeedy is impressed but Nancy explains leadership is about responsibility and accountability. Matano suggests an open forum where each candidate can state his policies without any smear campaigns. |
Power of democracy Smear campaigns, bribery |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| Part ii): | Rose goes to see Winston. Patricia tells Karis to save his father’s campaign for the sake of the family. | Family loyalty | |
| Rose says Jonathan’s not himself. She tells Winston she wants to support the Mabuki campaign. Patricia comes in and thinks Rose is spying for her husband. Rose leaves. | |||
| Margaret finally speaks to Mr Matano. She says she can’t be with him but Matano refuses to give up. She tells him she’s HIV positive. | Facing up to HIV | ||
| Cheryl is staying neutral in the election. Karis asks her for coffee. Dr Charles encourages them to go to the election debate. Karis refuses to go but Cheryl might be persuaded. | Importance of local politics |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| Matano is chairing the debate but is obviously distracted. Margaret is upset but Mama Mboga reassures her she did the right thing. | Honesty | ||
| Mulani talks about freedom and insults Mabuki again. Matano tries to intervene. Mabuki starts speaking but Bernadette reminds townspeople of Winston and Karis’ failings. Karis turns up and confesses. He admits he’s a bad man but says his father is different. |
Smear campaign Family loyalty |
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| The election is free and fair with officials and a ballot box. The votes are counted fairly. | Free, democratic elections |
Citizenship 1.1 |
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| As the returning officer, Matano announces that Winston has won by a landslide. | |||
| Celebration party in Mabuki’s bar. Cheryl is spending a lot of time with Charles. | |||
| Snake asks Karis if he’s going to steal money from his father to pay off his debts but Karis wants to stand on his own two feet. He plans to avoid the money-lenders, but receives an unexpected phone call... is it them? | Independence, turning over a new leaf |
Episode 10: A House Is Not A Home
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Margaret and Cheryl complain about the noise from the orphanage. Bernadette refuses to buy second-hand clothes for Brian. She plans to write a letter to the council asking Winston to stop the noise. | Anti-social behaviour, snobbery |
Citizenship 2.3 |
| Winston has told Bishop Washington to remove the loudspeaker from the roof but the bishop has not. Winston will meet with the new chief to discuss it. | |||
| Rose gives Toby money for a school trip. Jonathan is drinking. He’s upset about losing the election but Rose says he needs to move on. | Alcoholism | ||
| Margaret still regrets telling Matano about her HIV. Mama Mboga tells her to forget about it. She asks for more credit at the milk bar. Maspeedy complains but gives it to her. | Living with HIV, money problems | ||
| Rose wants Jonathan to re-open the book shop. Jonathan complains about the expense of bringing up orphans. He accuses Rose of not supporting his election campaign. They argue and he pushes her. Kara and Toby see. Jonathan storms out. | Alcohol and domestic violence. |
Citizenship 1.1, 1.2 |
|
| The orphans are singing. The other orphans are still missing; Bishop Washington asks the remaining children to lie if questioned. | Corruption and deception |
Citizenship 2.3 |
|
| Nancy visits Rose and sees she’s hurt. | |||
| Small Sharon is flirting with Dr Charles. Maspeedy says he grew up in the village – but did he? Cheryl is also flirting. | |||
| Winston is meeting with the new chief. He praises Bishop Washington’s funding of the orphanage; he hasn’t asked for extra money from the council. Rose and Nancy tell the chief about Jonathan. | Responsibilities of local government |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| Maspeedy goes to see Matano and reads him a love poem he’s written for Small Sharon. Matano says it’s not romantic enough! | Romance | ||
| The chief offers to act as an intermediary between Rose and Jonathan, who threatens to attack her again. | Domestic violence and government intervention |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| MaSpeedy gets a small boy to leave his love note for Small Sharon but Big Sharon picks it up. | |||
| Jonathan is drunk. Mabuki criticises Jonathan for raising his hand to a woman. Jonathan accuses the chief of fixing the election. The chief sends him to the cells to sober up. Rose must decide whether to press charges. | Consequences of alcohol and violence |
Citizenship 1.2 |
|
| Part ii): | Small Sharon thinks Dr Charles wrote the love note. She writes a reply and gives it to the boy. Maspeedy tells Matano how important it is to tell people how you feel about them. | Romance and mistaken identity | |
| Kara and Toby will live in the orphanage. Bishop Washington asks the chief for money. Rose says Kara will need a separate bathroom (for girls) as she’s 16. | Children’s rights |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| Rose walks past the cells and Jonathan apologises. He says he’ll change. She walks away. | Trust in relationships | ||
| Bishop Washington is not feeding the orphans properly. | Mistreating children |
Citizenship 1.2 |
|
| Rose goes to Dr Charles to get her bruises checked out. Nancy promises to check the orphanage before Kara and Toby get there. The orphans tell her that they are being beaten and that Bishop Washington is pretending there are more children in the orphanage so he’ll get more money. | Deception |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| Jonathan is back at home and has bought Rose a new scarf. He apologises and promises it won’t happen again. | Relationships – trust | ||
| The chief and Mabuki confront Bishop Washington. | |||
| The chief organises a community meeting. Jonathan apologises in front of everyone and asks permission to bring up Toby and Kara. Bernadette has also offered to take on Toby and Kara but chief says they can stay with the Mulanis. But who will look after the orphaned children? Margaret wants to adopt all of them but the chief says single women aren’t allowed to adopt boys under national law. But Matano proposes to Margaret! |
Justice in the community Relationships |
Episode 11: Ripples Of Love
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Margaret still hasn’t answered Matano. He tells her to take her time. | Marriage | |
| Snake has been beaten up by the money-lenders and says they’re coming after Karis. They hear Red’s song on the radio and Karis goes to collect his royalties. He doesn’t want Red to find out because she’ll ask for money. | Problems of debt |
Citizenship 2.3 |
|
| Maspeedy is still writing love poems to Small Sharon. PP is too busy to see Red and rehearse with her, so she’s angry. Snake visits the milk bar. | Romance and relationships | ||
| Anna is curious about Margaret. Why hasn’t she said yes to Matano? Mama Mboga tells her to leave Margaret alone. | Stigma of HIV | ||
| Red and the Sharons complain about men. Snake is hanging around; he says he’s trying to clean up his act but the hairdressers throw water at him. | |||
| Bishop Washington is in the chief’s office. He is accused of child trafficking. He admits to sending children away with ‘rich people’ without recording the details. The chief says he may be sent to prison. | Child trafficking and justice |
Citizenship 2.3 |
|
| Rose and Jonathan want to change Kara and Toby’s name to Mulani, but it’s the children’s decision. | Children’s rights |
Citizenship 1.2 |
|
| Margaret still hasn’t told her friends about being HIV. Dr Charles tells her to live positively and accept her HIV status. | Living with HIV | ||
| Rose and Jonathan hear Red’s song on the radio – it’s got to Number One! | |||
| Part ii): | PP finds Red and tells her the song’s at Number One. Red wants to move to Nairobi. PP won’t come but encourages her to follow her dream. | Career prospects | |
| The money-lenders catch up with Karis. Winston sees but turns a blind eye. | Illegal money-lending | ||
| Cheryl and Anna ask Margaret why she hasn’t accepted. She tells them she’s HIV positive. Anna runs away but Cheryl is supportive. | Stigma of HIV |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 2.2 |
|
| Kara and Toby have decided to change their surname. The whole family celebrates. Rose will miss Red but encourages her to go to Nairobi. | Family life | ||
| Anna goes to see Matano. She tells him Margaret is HIV positive and encourages him to stay away from her. He says the HIV doesn’t bother him. | Different attitudes to HIV |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 2.2, 2.3 |
|
| PP is playing guitar. Maspeedy offers to write poems for PP to set to music. He encourages PP to go to Nairobi with Red but PP says his life is in Makutano. Red overhears. | Different aspirations | ||
| Margaret accepts Matano’s proposal. She reminds him they’ll have to use condoms for the rest of their lives, and of the stigma, but he doesn’t care. | Marriage and HIV |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 1.4, 2.2 |
Episode 12: Payback Time
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | Mama Mpima’s son Jackson is arrested. | Criminal justice |
Citizenship 1.1 |
| Matano borrows a film from the barbers. He says he’s in love with Margaret but they tease him. | Stigma of HIV |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 2.2, 2.3 |
|
| Big Sharon is going on a diet. Margaret is getting her hair done. Maspeedy thinks Dr Charles has been sending Small Sharon love poems. | Beauty and romance | ||
| Bishop Washington is singing hymns in the cells but the chief tells him to be quiet. The chief puts Jackson in the same cell as the adult men. | Children’s rights | ||
| The market women say Mama Mpima is still brewing illegal alcohol. Margaret doesn’t want to buy a new dress for the wedding as she doesn’t want to make a fuss. Anna teases her. |
Illegal alcohol Living with HIV |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 2.2, 2.3 |
|
| Maspeedy goes to talk to Dr Charles but he’s busy. Matano is having his stag party at Mabuki’s bar and Margaret’s hen party is at the Mulanis’. Mama Mpima is distressed. Nancy agrees to meet her later. | Marriage preparations | ||
| Bernadette is choosing a hat for the party. She wants to stand out as she’s bringing a sheep and homemade juice. | |||
| Maspeedy confronts Dr Charles but doesn’t explain. Dr Charles is confused. | Misunderstandings | ||
| Bernadette asks Maspeedy to deliver the sheep and juice to the Mulanis’. He picks up Mama Mpima’s alcohol by mistake. | |||
| Nancy and Albert agree to help Mama Mpima get Jackson out of prison. | Helping neighbours, justice |
Citizenship 2.3 |
|
| Bishop Washington says according to law he should be in court after 2 days in jail – it’s been 2 weeks since his arrest. | Right to a fair trial |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| Part ii) | PP is sad that Red has left. Maspeedy tells him that heartbreak is part of life. | Relationships | |
| Nancy and Albert tell the chief he can’t treat juvenile criminals in the same way as adults. The chief says he won’t release him or move him unless his mother takes his place. | Children’s rights |
Citizenship 1.2 |
|
| Albert tells Mama Mpima she’ll need to hand herself in to save her son. Winston offers to help. | |||
| Mama Mboga tells Margaret the market women will help pay for a wedding dress. | |||
| Maspeedy has been drinking the ‘juice’ and is drunk. | Alcohol | ||
| Bishop Washington is released as there’s not enough evidence against him. Jackson is also released as he had nothing to do with the illicit alcohol. The chief wants to arrest Mama Mpima but the evidence (the alcohol) has gone! The chief accuses the policeman of drinking it and sends him to the cells. | Fair trial, justice |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| Bernadette is interfering with the women’s cooking at the hen party. They accuse her of spiking the juice. | Snobbery | ||
| Mama Mpima is reunited with Jackson. Winston explains that if she brews illegal alcohol again, she will be punished. | Justice |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| All the men are drunk at Matano’s stag party. He chooses Dr Charles as his best man. | Alcohol and celebrations | ||
| The women are singing and dancing at Margaret’s hen party. She confronts Anna and says the whole country needs to face up to the AIDS pandemic. | HIV/AIDS awareness |
PSHE (personal wellbeing) 1.2, 2.2, 2.3 |
|
| Some foster parents come to see Bishop Washington at Mabuki’s bar. They’ve given him money but haven’t received a child. This is illegal as the bishop is not running a legitimate adoption agency. He is rearrested. | Illegal adoption agency |
Citizenship 1.2 |
Episode 13: Till Death Do Us Part
| Storyline | Issues/Themes | Activities/Curriculum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part i): | It is Margaret’s wedding day but she’s working until the afternoon; she wants to make sales while she can. She’s nervous. Cheryl and Mboga take her off to find a dress and do her hair. | Making money |
Citizenship 1.3 |
| Matano is also nervous. Bishop Washington gives chief his trafficking contacts and apologises. | Repentance | ||
| Red is leaving for Nairobi right after the wedding. She promises to write to Kara. | Leaving home | ||
| Karis apologises to Cheryl and says she’s a talented artist. He wants to move out of his parents’ house and asks her to move in with him. She wants time to think. | Relationships | ||
| Margaret is getting her nails done. Cheryl gives her a dress she was saving for her own wedding. She wants to thank her for making her take an HIV test. | Importance of HIV testing | ||
| Bishop Washington didn’t make the orphanage trustees aware of the donations he received. He’s being kept in custody. | Illegal donations |
Citizenship 1.2 |
|
| Small Sharon receives a note from Maspeedy asking to meet her at the milk bar after the wedding. She thinks it’s from Dr Charles. | Relationships – romance | ||
| Ben is cynical about love but Bill is a bit of a romantic. PP is still upset about Red. | |||
| The chief goes to visit Matano to tell him that Bishop Washington can’t preside over the wedding. However, as a representative of the district officer, the chief can conduct the ceremony. Matano is upset – everything is going wrong. | Responsibilities of government officials |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| PP goes to visit Red. She’s kept all his letters and wants to take them to Nairobi so she’ll remember him. | Leaving home | ||
| Margaret’s brother-in-law has turned up at the wedding but Margaret chooses Matano. The brother-in-law curses Margaret. | Family, superstitions | ||
| Part ii): | Margaret and Matano leave on their honeymoon. The hairdressers and barbers discuss marriage. | Marriage | |
| Small Sharon goes to see Dr Charles and flirts with him. He’s confused. | |||
| The Mabukis invite Cheryl for a family drink. Winston has finally accepted her. | |||
| Bishop Washington asks again to be released and says he’s unwell. He repents but chief doesn’t let him out. | Trying to evade justice |
Citizenship 1.1 |
|
| Small Sharon goes to the milk bar. She finds out her admirer is Maspeedy and she runs away. | Unrequited love | ||
| Mama Mboga misses Peggy but Anna reminds her about Peggy’s baby. She decides to spend more time with her family. Anna has come to terms with Margaret’s HIV. | HIV/AIDS awareness | ||
| Red is leaving. PP is upset but knows it’s the best thing for her career. She asks him to go with her but he says he’ll wait for her in Makutano. She leaves in a taxi. | Leaving home | ||
| Karis proposes to Cheryl! She accepts. But there’s a gunshot... is Cheryl dead? | Problems of debt |