You have perhaps heard or watched common children’s songs dubbed "Bayi Bayi Ingona”, "Abana Bakunda Gukina Nutunyoni”, and others.

These are songs with a fascinating storyline, fashioned together using cartoon animations and children’s voices.

33-year old animator, Patel Amuri is the mastermind of such children’s content with an aim to educate and entertain primary school children.

The professional animator created Nyamata-based, Ihuro cartoon animation studio in 2018 to cause an impact by using songs and animations to enable children discover their talents and use them.

Most of his songs are in Kinyarwanda as he intends to teach children the local language. But also, to train them to recite and remember months of the year, alphabets, and how to count, in a fun way.

"Through the animated videos, I stress the essence of culture by highlighting the Rwandan past information, but most importantly, urge the little ones to maintain proper health by brushing their teeth, washing their hands before eating, and general body cleanliness,” he states.

Amuri explains that through music, he can easily pass on diverse messages to younger learners, a thing that can transform them to be responsible and an example to their peers.

He points out that he collects his content from research, as he reads a lot about what children love and excites them.

Additionally, he visits schools and interacts with teachers who share children’s interests and information that would impact them.

"After gathering information, I send it to an editor for review, and rectifications. Once the information is ready, I go to churches where I request church choir leaders to select for me children with melodious voices. It’s those that I train and direct to sing, thus recording the songs,” he states.

His love for art/animations

Amuri recalls falling in love with art in 2012 where he took part in drawing content in comic books.

It is there that he yearned to take his art to the next level by learning how to draw cartoon animations.

In 2016, he self-taught himself the basics of cartoon animations via YouTube tutorials that he had downloaded and watched in his free time.

With the few skills learned, he advanced his expertise by pursuing a short course in animation at Africa Digital Multimedia Academy in 2018, for one year.

While there, he mastered the art of content development, storyboards, character design, background designs, and diversity of animations.

At that time, he notes that he had already registered his company. Though he lacked the funds to keep it operating.

Amuri remembers vividly when he acquired a life changing deal where he signed a one-year contract with the Rwanda National Police in 2019 to create animations for the ‘Gerayo Amahoro’ road safety campaign.

It’s with this payment that he that he managed to invest in his business in 2020. He created his first cartoon animation song, "Bayi Bayi Ingona”, he has since released many others such as, "Agakwavu”, "Dukarabe Intoki”, "Ikinyabupfura”, "Tugire Isuku”, and many others.

Challenges

Though most Rwandans have fathomed the role of animations in advertisements, communication, and entertainment, few are willing to invest in it as it’s expensive.

"I have tried to reach out to a number of organisations that support children’s needs, and wellbeing for funding and partnerships, but in vain. None of them have got back to me,” he emphasises.

Amuri is optimistic that his company would be big if he had enough funds. He however calls upon talented animators to collaborate, support and learn from each other.

Future plans

The inventive mind looks forward to generating a children’s channel designed to promote their development in all spheres of life.

The animator anticipates creating a space for children to learn about artificial intelligence, through established workshops, boost literacy, and using their talents.

He believes that in the long run, lessons learned from the TV channel will equip children with knowledge that will assist them in developing the community.