Whispers of Hope is an original drama series that revolves around Amina, a bright and determined girl whose life is turned down after the death of her parents.
Forced to live with her uncle and his family, she faces neglect and hostility. She realises she may have a mysterious gift linked to her late mother.
Set in the scenic beauty of Rongo in Migori County, the 13-episode series by Rongowood Art & Entertainment premiered on November 15 at Nairobi Cinema, an event attended by representatives from the Kenya Film Classification Board and the Rongo MP Paul Abuor.
Season One follows Amina as she rises from brokenness to become a symbol of resilience; confronting her stepfamily and confronting village corruption, and she gets acquainted with the legacy her mother left behind.
Despite the neglect, she befriends children in the community and finds guidance from village elders. She hears unusual whispers in the forest, symbols appear near home, and she gets sudden acts of kindness from unexpected places.
Amina learns the traditional craft of basket weaving; she discovers that her purpose is to uplift local women by teaching them how to weave and sell their work, awakening her community.
Amina is played by Pamela Okach, a newcomer whose performance is already attracting attention.
“I auditioned after seeing the casting call, and I contacted the producer and director, who felt I fit the role. I understood the character very well, and my personality matched hers. I’m new in acting, and my dream is to get bigger roles and inspire people,” she says.
Frederick Odero, CEO of Rongowood and location manager for the series, played a crucial role in identifying scenic spots such as River Siala and surrounding villages, locations that give the show an authentic tone.
Producer and screenwriter Stephen Ngei explains that the series reflects social realities such as broken families, poverty, gender inequality, and spiritual conflict.
“It is a story about empowerment and compassion. By focusing on a rural community and its everyday dynamics, the production aims to elevate voices that aren’t seen on national television,” he says.
He notes that TV series production is expensive and the team relied on personal sacrifice and local support. Licensing consumes a lot, and finding and auditioning the right actors takes time. Despite this, Rongo is gradually embracing the industry because of Rongowood’s persistent work.
“At first, people did not understand acting, but now they are coming on board. We have fresh talent from the locality appearing in the series. Local leaders have also taken notice, with area MP Paul Abuor showing support for Rongowood’s initiatives,” Stephen says.
Rongowood has been active since 2013, producing films such as Marriage Lies, Darkness of Shame in 2015, and Wonders of Life. But Whispers of Hope is their most ambitious venture, and they have sustained it through personal funds and the support of partners, including a German collaborator, Queen Akinyi, who recently expressed interest in their work.
With 13 episodes already shot and one screened during the launch, the team now plans to take the show to KTN.