The Soccer Ball - The Genesis Of Our Stars!

 My mantra that also forms part of the Wilsen initiative (Wi) pillar Wilsen Initiative 

"If I can't play, as a coach I will help some train,

 If I can't train someone, I will strive to make the environment favorable, 

If I can't make the environment favorable, I will make sure I tell the story to the world to acquire the necessary support. 

 

-

Wilson Masaka, Wilsen Initiative founder, ex-footballer and community coach More About Me: BLOG:- www.wilsenx.blogspot.com Project: www.wilseninitiative.wordpress.com 

Get in touch and let us make Mathare North great again. I invite you to join me in the annual campaign for mobilising soccer resources for U10 -U15 teams which started way back in the year 2000.

Mentorship One On One at Maria Rossana Community Centre

Day 3:- Skill Up:- Mentorship & Training +throughMylens Consult - Mentor One On One at Maria Rossana Community Centre #Mentorship #CapacityBuilding #TrainingOfTrainers #YouthSpace

I'm happy to kick-start our mentorship journey with my mentees namely; Simon, Agnes, Otieno and Stephanie who recently finished their Kenya Certificate Of Secondary (KCSE) Education in 2020. I'm happy to meet my mentees who are members of Maria Rossana based in Huruma, Nairobi. 

During their introduction they mentioned how they would like to be good at what they do by following a certain philosophy or system. I'm happy to hear about their desires and dreams which I will narrow down to what we call Learn2Learn philosophy at Wilsen Initiative (Wi.) 

So what is learn2Learn? #SDG4:- Quality education and life long learning. 

1. Developing a learning strategy based on 4W and 1H. Meaning When, Why, Where, What & How.
2. The learning loop, selecting what is relevant. 
3. Practice, Practice and more practice. 
4. Do, Show and Tell.
5. Self paced learning. 
6. Defining a route (Career pathways). 
7. How to become a specialist with a lot of general knowledge. Achieving the T-Shape personality.
8. An open and positive attitude towards learning.
9. More collaborative learning when necessary. 
10. Crafting a career niche or domain. 

The follow up sessions and training will take place at the Maria Rossana office in Huruma. 

 Highlight: - Creative & Technical Skills √ Introduction to computer and Microsoft Office √ Basic Design and Photoshop √ Photography √ Creative Writing. Get in touch to subscribe for mentorship, one on One with your team. All training will either happen at your chosen location or online. For a session to happen, we need to be at least four participants. 

Please note, There is a small fee charged for training and facilitation. Get in touch for a quotation; Email: - wilson.masaka@gmail.com Blog: - www.wilsenx.blogspot.com Wilson Masaka +throughMylens Connect/ Create / Consult. Trainer/ Facilitator / Youth Coach / Youth Advocate /Social Entrepreneur

The Power of Your STORY.

+throughMylens 

1.  "Don't let people rob you your story to get the rewards they don't deserve." - Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur 

2.  "You have the master key to your story and only you can tell it better" - Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur 

3.  "People will tell you what is common in everyone, but what they will forget to tell you the uncommon part which you stand a chance to make a mark in a different ways. " - Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur 

4.  "If you don't blow your trumpet when you're still alive, then people will do it at your funeral and you will not have a chance to celebrate the moment."- Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur

Featured Quote 

 "You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you." - Brian Tracy 

 #GoodReadFriday How to blow your own trumpet without showing off | https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/community/blogs/efficiencycoach/how-to-blow-your-own-trumpet-without-showing-off

How Can We Convert The Youth Voice into A Youth Vote?

 The 13 Pointers +throughMylens -Wilson Masaka / Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur. #YouthVoice #YouthSpace #YouthVote #ParadigmShift 

Our Youth Voice Can Be Amplified Only If... 

1. We register as voters. 
2. Vote in the forthcoming elections. 
3. Engage positively in all matter development. 
4. Vie for different political seats within the party, as MP, as MCA, Women representative etc. 
5.  We organize progressively than agonize at a corner. 
6. We shun violence in all it's forms. 
7. Support each other rather than fight ourselves. 
8. We have a good representation at the 'dinning table' in both private and public sectors (decision making). 
9. Stay informed and strive to educate ourselves everyday. 
10. We become a model of hope, change, prosperity and practice what we preach. 
11. We change our attitude on matter politics and refrain from being used by others as a stepping stone into their desired positions. 
12. We engage the youth in a meaningful ways (5Social, economically, politically and technology).
13. Have a common denominator as a block all over the nation. 

 Best Quote - 

"Bad officials are the ones elected by good citizens who do not vote." -George Jean Nathan - 

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

 +throughMylens-Wilson Masaka Blog:- www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

Leadership On the Line

"Youths are our heroes of today, tomorrow and the future. Treat them right today and you will never regret in future."- Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur. 

#TheYouthBulge The question that I have, who has the solutions for youth problems that keeps ballooning? #MyTake Not every young person should dream of vying for political seats, but if you have the 'mental' I would encourage you to go for it without hesitation. 

On the flip side, if being in a political position isn't your thing, then don't hesitate to register as a voter and support a competent young person or a leader with the youth in mind, heart and deed. I mean competent young people, because being young in any position of power and privileged isn't a guarantee that someone would have the desires and unrelenting passion to address youth problems. 

Even having like 10 young people in top government jobs, I still don't think it would solve the problems of the million youths in Kenya. This isn't to say that young people don't deserve to be represented in higher government office. I would say, young people don't necessarily need to be given fewer government office positions to occupy but rather they should be recognized as an important pillar of the society that shouldn't be neglected at the round table. 

 Our future as young people is based on creating or implementing policies that would ensure the grounds are favorable for more youth to vie for different elective and non elective positions in government not forgetting in the private sector. 

To our senior citizens vying for different elective seats in the forthcoming elections in 2022, I would say the remaining young at heart is important, but being young as seen in your deed is much more important than anything else. May you guide us through an everlasting economic impact, peace and tranquility even if your mission is to clinch the top seat. 

All in all, we need a more inclusive society that will create vibrant spaces and opportunities for everyone to thrive in whatever they would wish to do. God bless Kenya, God bless us all 🙏 Wilson Masaka +throughMylens Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

Self Made - Be More, Do More and Be Different

Life Series +throughMylens Yesterday, I met a long time friend by the name Owus for those that know him. After catching up, he asked me " Masaka, how comes you weren't influenced to join bad peer groups into alcohol drinking, smoking, crime, chewing of khat etc.? 

In a nutshell the question is how did I survive the many traps? 

 #MyTake Anyway...

I thank God for guiding me this far having been brought up in a society where bad peer pressure was/is on the rise that led many youth into drug abuse, crime, alcoholism just to mention but a few. At an early age of around 12 yrs, I connected well with my parents to the extent I would empathize with what they were going through, their desire, wish, hope etc. 

 I thank everyone who spoke words of encouragement, wisdom, love, etc. Being close to my parents, my siblings, teachers and different mentors I developed a desire to discover more about myself (Purpose: Who Am I, What I Wanted to Be & What Can I Do). One of the things that build my self esteem was appreciations I got from people that boosted morale to do more and be more in achieving my goals in life.  

Thanks to all the nicknames, especially from my parents, they were a blessing full of encouragement. Did you know one of my nicknames that I was given by my parents is Simba? Now you know, Simba is a Kiswahili word for Lion 🦁 which also carries a lot of stories which I will share one day. 

 I thank everyone who treated me the right way, especially when I was a kid, when I did wrong, you correct me the right way and not forgetting bestowing hope in me dispute living is uncertain condition.

 I made a deliberate decision to be part of the our family vision by activating myself (do something)  while observing all the great values as taught by our parents.

 So far I have achieved much but I'm  still on a journey towards achieving the desired vision. 

In summary, I would say; 

1.  Connect well with family members. 
2.  Be different 
3. Choose your friends wisely. 
4. Have a dream then break it down into goals, objectives, activities etc. (Active yourself)
5. Unrelenting values.
6. Seek for knowledge and support.
7. Learn everyday.
8. Identify and use your God given talent .
9. Help others achieve their goal. 
10. Trust the process and be your number one fan.

I'm not ashamed of my past because it made me who I am or even better. Never Give Up, you can be the missing part of the puzzle that can change things for better. Sometimes our life feels like a movie, but remember you have the choice to be the victim or the victor.  The best test of time isn't in how long you live, but how much you have done in the time you lived. 

  “Mtoto umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo”. The Swahili proverb meaning “The way you bring up a child is how he/she ends up being”. True or False?

To God be the glory and I continue to praise him. Thanks to everyone who has been part of my journey in one way or the other. 

 "People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going." ~Earl Nightingale 

 "We have not started living until we rise above narrow confines of individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity" - Martin Luther King Jr

Special Tribute!

Pictures from the archive in memory of my late dad and mum taken from different years! Thanks for bestowing the best values in me. May God continue resting your soul in peace till we meet again.

The Two Sides of Life, What I Call the TT of Life.

Life Series +throughMylens The Untold Family Stories #MyStory The two sides of life, what I call the TT of Life " It is either you are going through a Test or Testimony! - Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur This TBT story brings a lot of nostalgia, at some point in time around 2000-2007 this was our house upcountry (villages). 🏠 

Did you know, nobody in this world has a single story and in a million plus collections of stories that might look similar, there still exist some uniqueness in each story that needs to be told. In case you're curious of what is the current situation, I invite you for a road trip upcountry 🙂 or I would love to share more in a session with young people just to inspire them with my model and philosophy of change making that starts with you (Self Made - Wilsen Initiative philosophy). 

Get in touch with me, I'm available in November for a motivational session under Skill Up Master Session featuring topics like goal settings, intrinsic versus extrinsic values values among others. In a special way I want to thank my siblings for believing that no matter what is our situation we can still make it to where we want to be by pulling together. I owe a lot to my late parents for bestowing the best values in me that I'm able to lead the family in their absence. 

May God continue resting dad and mum in everlasting peace till we meet again. One day I will either write a book or make a film of my life, but in the mean time I have the Bits & Pieces blog (www.wilsenx.blogspot.com) running since 2009 documenting part of my journey. To God be the glory as I continue to praise him and I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of my journey in one way or the other. 

I'm not yet done and I believe the best is yet to come! 

Life lessons - House project Awaken the 'sleeping giant' in YOU! #theChampionInYou 

"Always respect the humble beginnings, stay focused, set smart goals, run your own race and be contented with what you have." Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur. 

"I'm made of what you also don't see in me that only me has the privilege to use it to pivot to the next level of life" ~ Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur "People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going." ~Earl Nightingale

"We have not started living until we rise above narrow confines of individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity" - Martin Luther King Jr. 

"The difference between hard work and luck is that for the hard work you have to strategize, put in the hours and if you fail you still learn. On the other side, relying on luck alone is like walking in place where it is known to be dark hoping that there's going to be light." - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur 

Never Give Up!

+throughMylens Bits & Pieces www.wilsenx.blogspot.com wilson.masaka@gmail.com

Training and Mentorship Session At Ayany Primary School Organized by Kibera Angels Sports Academy.

#SkillUpMasterSession #TrainingMentorship #YouthSpace #YouthVoice 

 Mashujaa Day Special 20th October 2021 

 It was a great pleasure to have been invited as one of the main facilitators / key note speakers during the Mashujaa day (hero's day) special mentorship and training organized by Kibera Angles Sports Academy at Ayany primary school in Kibera. 

 Other Facilitators / speakers were Coach Dino Kibera Angels Sports Academy, Boniface Ndirangu Chairman APRAK, Dr. William Obwaka (ex-Gor Mahia player) and his wife. 

The session was organized with an aim of discussing issues that affect the youth and how they can become responsible young people in their chosen field. 

 The main highlight of the season were as follows;

1.  Health and wellness. 
2. Personal branding. 
3. Drug abuse and addiction. 
4. Communication and collaboration. 
5. Peer pressure 
6. Responsible citizen. 

- Just to mention but a few! 

Highlights of my session; I spoke more on personal branding whereby I gave an account of my strategy based on the past, present and future. 

Below are some part of my slides & pictures;

We need this kind of interventions in all youth spaces around the country and as a youth advocate my goal is to reach at least more that 500 young people per year in different spaces whereby offering cross cutting trainings based on 21st century skills, for example, in creativity, innovation, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving just to mention but a few. 

Keep the good work coach Dino and Kibera Angles Soccer Sports Academy.

You can reach me for a session through my email wilson.masaka@gmail.com or inbox me on my social media (Facebook or Instagram). Follow me on my blog; www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

My Soccer profile and Soccer For Development Resume

Life Series... Always a youth advocate and coach today, tomorrow and in future. "Sometimes you don't realise how much you have achieved until the point you list everything down and reflect on each item" - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur 

 My transitions & Simple CV; 

• ~ Soccer player 1990 - 2002 (MYSA Model, played in the Norway cup 97, 98 and 99, player for Pumwani Sportive and many more). 
• ~ Community soccer coach under MYSA - 1995 to 2010 
• ~ Community soccer initiative - Founder Metro Sports and Coach for 18years. Handed over the team in 2010 and started Mathare North Rangers F.C. 
• ~ Community - Founder Mathare North Rangers F.C 2010 currently the team leader, partnership and resource mobilizer under Wilsen initiative. 
• ~ Founder Mathare North Festive Season Soccer Tournament U10 to Senior teams - successfully held 10 editions ( 9 to 10 years). Inspired by Wilsen Initiative (Wi).
• ~ Resources Mobilization Soccer shoes campaign and related materials from the year 2000 to date.
• ~ Established soccer for development & hope under Wilsen initiative (Wi) which I founded in as a platform to Inspire, Connect and Educate youth from underserved communities. www.wilseninitiative.wordpress.com