Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mathare North Rangers Wins Easter Football Tournament

I’m happy as the head coach of Mathare North Rangers football club for winning the Easter holiday football tournament in Mathare North.

I thank our technical bench for their dedication, the team for their great team spirit and our supporters for rally behind us since the kick off.  Lastly, I want to thank our area councilor Mr. Oscar Lore for his commitment in support the holiday tournaments in our areas.



A Day Out in the World of Photography

I love technology in general, and I'm always inspired to explore as many fields as possible which are inter-related in someways. I'm a multimedia designer and I love to push my learning curve into the below fields;
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Design (Print, Product & Web)
  • Web & Mobile Technologies
To say the least, I love audio-visual communication with programming on the side.  Some people would say you can't be everything in one, but the secret is finding related synergies in fields that relates to each other and there you can swap many hats to a level where you can earn the titles like Web Masters, Web Pro, Creative Director etc.

Below are my photos taken during my learning curve in photography. All photos taken during the Easter Holiday!

Title: Where did they go wrong?

Title: Peace One Day!

Title: You're are the CHANGE

Title: Hope in the World

Title: PEACE
Title: Unity and Teamwork

Easter Lectures At Ghetto Foundation (GF)

Ghetto Foundation (GF) is a community-based organization set up by a group of youth in the Mathare ghetto, Nairobi, Kenya, who have been able to escape a life of crime. Their hard and long journey out of crime and out of poverty has taught them the importance of self-esteem, of role models and of access to opportunities. This is what they now offer to their community.

During the Easter holiday (19th April 2014) I was privileged to connect with Ghetto Foundation members where I did facilitate on topics around peer pressure and choosing friends which is one of the challenges among the young people.

It is my sincere hope that all I shared and also learn will go a long way in creating positive awareness in our communities.

I thank all the Ghetto Foundation team for inviting me to facilitate, Muco my friend for tagging along, and Wilsen Initiative (Wi) team for their trust in my leadership.

Muco Amani fellow 2014 from Burundi stressing a point

Muco happy moment with the Children at Kiboro primary after the session at Ghetto Foundation


During the session...




Thursday, April 17, 2014

Where Do You Source For Your Creative Ideas? By Partrick Mukabi

Today, I had the great pleasure of working with one the renowned Kenyan / international artist Mr. Patrick Mukabi aka Panye.  Patrick is a great friend and I have known him for last last 14 years and I must say he is a great guy who is a source of inspiration in the creative World. He inspires me a lot from how he approach is work to his consistent patterns in capturing creative moments for his work.

Patrick shared topics in visual communication design with my students at the Nairobits media lab after honoring my invitation to share his unique experiences. This is one of the many ideas I have around people working together in sharing skills, time and resources.

Thanks to Nairobits for creating this platform for youth to learn and connect with experts from diverse background.

I'm an enthusiast photographer and here is some of my work in photography. My subject is people, their lifestyle etc.






Young Champions in Africa - Ghana

Kofi Yeboah is a blogger and a member of a vibrant youth organisation in Ghana called GhanaThink Foundation. Kofi is the coordinator for Barcamp Ghana, one of GhanaThink  Foundation’s  programme that is focused on bringing together young people in Ghana to brainstorm on solutions to local problems.

Barcamp Ghana executes its vision by organising youth focused events across the 10 regions of Ghana and have trained over 3000 youth in various fields. Kofi is also an active member of the Global Voices Online – an international community of bloggers who report on blogs and citizen media from all over the world. He writes stories about the emerging technology development in Ghana and Africa.

Kofi is a fellow at the Amani Institute, Kenya – an institute that focuses on preparing next-generation talent to tackle global challenges by filling the gap between university and the workforce through a new approach. 

He was selected to be a part of a panel of bloggers and social media savvies on “The Stream”- Aljazeera for a discussion on the effect of social media on the Ghanaian 2012 election.
He is a Freelance Social Media and Contributor Engagement Manager IQ4News – an online news agency based in the UK that writes and reports on Africa.

He is currently working with Clean Team Ghana, a sanitation company that is focused on providing innovative sanitation solutions to the urban poor in Ghana- as a communications officer.

Advice: "The youth should be bold enough to take the risk to believe in their capacity and to start on their own. Make the mistakes and do not fear to ask when the need be."

Blog: www.emeritusky.wordpress.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The Power of Social Media - Connections

I met Mr. Jonny Finity for the first time on social media and after several interactions we were able to pull an event together on behalf of Nairobits Trust, where I work a Senior Trainer / Training Coordinator.

Nairobits in conjunction with Gobe Foundation hosted the event on 15th April 2014 at the GoDown Arts, whereby both Nairobits and Gobe students shared inspirational ideas for their business.  There were speakers who also gave inspirational stories around passion, business, money versus attitude etc.

Inspiring the young people is always dear to my heart, and in whatever I do, I always strive to be the best and be that bridge for someone else to cross over to success land. Below are some of the pictures during the event and a link to a a full story written by my friend Muco from Burundi.

For more please visit http://www.nairobits.com/blog/?p=573


Mr. Jonny Finity, Founder of Gobe foundation

Nairobits students showcasing their project to Gobe students at the GoDown Arts Centre

Myself as the MC
The audience


Saturday, April 12, 2014

Stand Up for Women Soccer in Kenya

"Let us all stand up for women soccer in Kenya. If it is not you, who will stand, defend, speak and empower them?" Wilsen Initiative (Wi)

Kate's Story - Kiswhali Caption translated in English

 
“I started playing in the year 2000 in MYSA (http://www.mysakenya.org) league under 12 years. When I was 14yrs, I played in the Mathare United women senior team and played in the Safaricom Sakata tournament whereby I was chosen to join the football academy where we formed the Matuu F.C women football team which later won the Women premier league. The most disappointing thing is that we haven’t been awarded for winning the league up until now. Communication is always important and if only the federation could communicate on what happened, many women like me would still feel inspired to play to even greater heights. If the federation could support women soccer in Kenya, we stand a big chance in playing in the World cup because I believe there are many talented women who have been frustrated on how women football in Kenya is managed.”


“Playing for the national team is always a great pleasure and listening to the national anthem played before the kick-off really motivates me despite all the challenges whilst it is a rare opportunity for many women in Kenyan soccer”.


“I lost my mother in some years back and my dad is a retired policeman. I love my brother so much and he is the bread winner of the family, he supports my education and incase I need football boots he always buys for me, and I really feel encouraged by him.”


“If the private sector and the media could join hands in promoting and sponsoring women soccer many great players and great leader would be born. I play football to keep fit and network with other great opportunities in life like education”
 

“You can excel in life by using your talents a part from education”

Kate's Coach - Isaack

 
“Words can’t explain Kate’s talent, and at the moment women football hasn’t been getting the required attention and people in leadership have forgotten the grassroots football”




Kate's Profile

Position: Central Defender
Football Icon: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester united)
Best Book: An enemy of the people.
Best Quote: Aspire to inspire before you expire.
Community Club MYSA zonal: Otto- Benecker F.C
Former School: Maina Wanjigi Secondary school since 2006 - 2010
Former Professional Club: Mathare United Women Team.
         
Special Achievements.
  • 2014 Played for Kenya women football team, Harambee Starlet.
  • 2011 Champions Safaricom Sakata ball challenge tournament and current team captain 
  • 2010 Champions Women’s Kenya premier league
  • 2007 Champions MYSA U16 championship
  • 2007 Champions MYSA girls tournament
  • 2006 Champions MYSA girls tournament 
  • 2005 First runners up Barclay girl’s tournaments. 
  • 2004 Champions MYSA girls tournament.
 International Achievements.
  • 2007 first runners –up MYSA international girls tournament
  • 2005 Finalist Norway cup u14 girls category in Oslo, Norway 
  • 2005 Winners u14 girls Netherlands tournament in the Netherlands. 
  • 2005 and 2006 East African cup winners U16 girls held in Tanzania.

Stand Up for Women Soccer in Kenya

"Let us all stand up for women soccer in Kenya. If it is not you, who will stand, defend, speak and empower them?" Wilsen Initiative (Wi)

Kate's Stories 

 
“I started playing in the year 2000 in MYSA (http://www.mysakenya.org) league under 12 years. When I was 14yrs, I played in the Mathare United women senior team and played in the Safaricom Sakata tournament whereby I was chosen to join the football academy where we formed the Matuu F.C women football team which later won the Women premier league. The most disappointing thing is that we haven’t been awarded for winning the league up until now. Communication is always important and if only the federation could communicate on what happened, many women like me would still feel inspired to play to even greater heights. If the federation could support women soccer in Kenya, we stand a big chance in playing in the World cup because I believe there are many talented women who have been frustrated on how women football in Kenya is managed.”


“Playing for the national team is always a great pleasure and listening to the national anthem played before the kick-off really motivates me despite all the challenges whilst it is a rare opportunity for many women in Kenyan soccer”.


“I lost my mother in some years back and my dad is a retired policeman. I love my brother so much and he is the bread winner of the family, he supports my education and incase I need football boots he always buys for me, and I really feel encouraged by him.”


“If the private sector and the media could join hands in promoting and sponsoring women soccer many great players and great leader would be born. I play football to keep fit and network with other great opportunities in life like education”
 

“You can exile in life by using your talents a part from education”

Kate's Coach - Isaack

 
“Words can’t explain Kate’s talent, and at the moment women football hasn’t been getting the required attention and people in leadership have forgotten the grassroots football”




Kate's Profile

Position: Central Defender
Football Icon: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester united)
Best Book: An enemy of the people.
Best Quote: Aspire to inspire before you expire.
Community Club MYSA zonal: Otto- Benecker F.C
Former School: Maina Wanjigi Secondary school since 2006 - 2010
Former Professional Club: Mathare United Women Team.
         
Special Achievements.
  • 2014 Played for Kenya women football team, Harambee Starlet.
  • 2011 Champions Safaricom Sakata ball challenge tournament and current team captain 
  • 2010 Champions Women’s Kenya premier league
  • 2007 Champions MYSA U16 championship
  • 2007 Champions MYSA girls tournament
  • 2006 Champions MYSA girls tournament 
  • 2005 First runners up Barclay girl’s tournaments. 
  • 2004 Champions MYSA girls tournament.
 International Achievements.
  • 2007 first runners –up MYSA international girls tournament
  • 2005 Finalist Norway cup u14 girls category in Oslo, Norway 
  • 2005 Winners u14 girls Netherlands tournament in the Netherlands. 
  • 2005 and 2006 East African cup winners U16 girls held in Tanzania.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Young Champions in Africa - Burundi

Today, I would like to highlight one of my new found friend who his currently a fellow at Amani Institute  by the name Muco.

“My name is Aboubakar Muco, I came to this world after midnight on the 2nd of January 1984, in Nyamugari quarter, a small town in the Gitega province located in the central of Republic of Burundi. Due to the civil war in Burundi started in 1993, many children from my neighborhood left their schools but I managed to continue and completed primary education at Mushasha Primary School in 1996.
Muco Aboubakar from Burundi, Amani Institute fellow 2014

My father passed away when I was a little boy but my mother still alive with my lovely three siblings; one brother and two sisters. At the age of 17, I moved to Egypt after receiving a scholarship from Al Azhar Institute to complete my education where I lived 11 years from 2001 to 2012 and managed to study high school and University and both Arabic and English language, as well as worked as an interpreter/translator for refugees in Cairo. In 2007 I represented the Burundian Students Association in Cairo as a Vice President of the Association”.

 “I worked at Africa and Middle East Refugee Assistance (AMERA) from 2009 to 2012 as an Interpreter/Translator by providing consecutive interpretation from legal and psychosocial service providers to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. As well as accompanied them to other providers in order to facilitate their access to medical, educational and financial services”. “In 2011, I received my first degree in Library Information and Instructional Technology at Al Azhar University. At the end of May 2012 I moved to Mexico City for family reunification where I worked as an English Teacher for a year and six months at a Language Center called S-peak. Having survived a civil war in Burundi and shared with refugees coming from all over Africa, I have learnt a lot from the consequences of war and displacement”. “I moved to England last October 2013 with my partner who is currently studying a PhD at the University of Sussex.

I moved to England trying to find opportunities to improve myself academically but I am currently participating in the five months Post-Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation management at Amani Institute in Nairobi, meanwhile I am doing apprenticeship at Nairobits Trust. Nairobits is well known for its great reputation since was established more than a decade ago by dealing and educating youth from lower class families to create a better place for them and opportunities for their future life. During my five months apprenticeship at Nairobits, I will be learning from its experiences to improve myself and be able to transform my ideas and vision to the real life I would like to be in, as well as sharing in different angles my experiences I gained in different countries as a community interpreter/translator and English teacher”.

“I have a strong passion for peace, poverty reduction and access to education for all and that is why I am looking forward to be a key person facilitator in social transformations to leave the world better than before, where people can live peacefully in their own dignity”.

Written by Muco