12th AUGUST | HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

12th AUGUST | HAPPY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 🌍⚽

Main Theme for 2026: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”

Yesterday, I had the honour of joining five football teams/academies, with over 500 participants in attendance, for a one-day tournament held at Mbotela Canon Tuff Grounds and St. Paul’s Primary School in Makongeni, Nairobi Ward.

The tournament was hosted by Halisi Sports Services, and it was a pleasure to be part of the photography team, capturing the energy, talent and spirit of young people through my lens. 📸⚽

On the flip side, it was also a perfect opportunity to share my photography skills with my daughter Debbie and Adriano as part of their ongoing learning journey.

#InTheShoesOfDad 📸👣

📍 “Young people need more than encouragement to thrive. They need meaningful space to participate, resources to act, and opportunities to shape the future they are constantly being told about. You cannot build a future for young people without giving them an active role in building it.”

— Wilson Masaka | Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur

Do More / Be More / Be Different

#InternationalYouthDay #IYD2026 #DifferentContextsCommonAspirations #YouthEmpowerment #FootballForDevelopment #ThroughMyLens #InTheShoesOfDad #DoMoreBeMoreBeDifferent

My Photography Journey

+throughMylens 📸 | Every Element Carries More Than A Story

I AM ___
#SelfMadeSeries

I am a self-taught photographer. My journey began in 2009 during a work-related mission in Zanzibar. What started as curiosity has grown into a lifelong mission: using photography, storytelling, and lived experiences to inspire change.

Every day presents a new opportunity to learn. One of my favorite taglines is:

"Posting ndio bure, picha unalipia." #SemiZaMaja

There is no such thing as a free photograph. Creating a powerful image takes far more than simply pressing the shutter button. It requires patience, creativity, timing, and intention.

Behind the Scenes

📍 Observe, anticipate, relate, and be fully present.
📍 Take hundreds of photographs.
📍 Carefully select the strongest images.
📍 Edit with purpose.
📍 Learn from every assignment.
📍 Deliver your best work.

Photography is more than an image—it's a perspective on life.

Quotes

"You have a gift to change things for the better if you can see possibilities where others see limitations."
— Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur

"My best photograph is the one I have yet to create. I measure my craft not by the number of pictures I take, but by the depth of the moments I am able to capture."
— Wilson Masaka | +throughMylens

"The greatest creative challenge isn't finding a new place; it's discovering a new story in the same place. Every week, month, and year may bring the same activity, but a different lens reveals a different perspective."
— Wilson Masaka | +throughMylens

Do More | Be More | Be Different

Blog: https://wilsenx.blogspot.com

Skill Up Master Session - AUGUST

Courtesy of Wilsen Initiative

The school holidays are here. The question is: How will young people spend their three-week break from school?

As an advocate for creating safe spaces for youth development, I am dedicating three hours of pro bono training and facilitation to organized groups within Nairobi. This opportunity is open to football clubs, football academies, community-based organizations (CBOs), chamas, self-help groups, youth groups, and church youth ministries.

What the Session Covers

During the master session, I share my journey as a change-maker, youth advocate, social entrepreneur, and trainer. The goal is to bridge the knowledge gap by equipping young people—especially those from underserved communities—with practical skills, inspiration, and opportunities for growth.

Areas of Expertise

Consult • Create • Connect

As a Youth Advocate, Trainer, and Social Entrepreneur, I offer masterclasses in:

- Photography
- Web Design
- Social Media
- Financial Literacy
- Creative Entrepreneurship
- Soft Skills
- Blogging
- Content Creation
- Personal Branding

Every month, I dedicate three hours to sharing knowledge, experiences, and practical skills that empower young people to become more confident, creative, and self-reliant.

How It Works

You organize your group, secure the venue, and provide any necessary training materials. The training and facilitation are offered completely FREE as part of my pro bono community service through Wilsen Initiative and +throughMylens.

My Digital Footprint

LinkedIn: https://ke.linkedin.com/pub/wilson-masaka/9/943/4b3
Blog: www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

«"Those who are blessed with the most talent don't necessarily outperform everyone else. It's the people with follow-through who excel." — Mary Kay Ash»

#SkillUpMasterSession #WilsenInitiative #ThroughMyLens #YouthDevelopment #ProBono #FinancialLiteracy #CreativeEntrepreneurship #DigitalSkills #PersonalBranding