A New Culture on How We Learn and The General Education System in Kenya

Did You Know... 

In a fast-paced economy where there are numerous inventive disruptions to how and when we might learn, self-learning is becoming one of the most difficult types of learning. On the other hand, if you don't have a system in place, there are a lot of distractions that you may experience when learning. 

Keep in mind that in a self-paced learning setting, there is no one to supervise you or direct you. Overall, you have to do it alone and time management is key in the entire journey. Here are some ideas from my diary that you might want to consider: 

1.  Learn something you'd like to do in the future. 
2. Develop a workflow and plan, and schedule time for learning when there are fewer distractions in your daily activities. 
3. Learn something relevant to your career path and consider how you will apply it in the future; find the motivating factor! 
4. Make a pattern for completing anything you've started. Your mind will adapt to the levels of performance you give it. 
5. Conduct a self-audit before beginning a new subject. 
6. Avoid randomness because it will make procrastination your friend.
7. Enroll in a course that will allow you to earn a certificate, points, or a location to display your progress and product. 
8. Intentionally plan a public launch or showcase of your abilities (Tell and Show) 
9. Take several short courses rather than one long course. Short courses are a great motivator for creating a culture of self-paced learning. 
10. Establish your Leandro objectives and define your WHY, WHAT, WHEN, and HOW. 

I'm determined to finish this course by Creative Economy eLearning Platform (britishcouncil.org)

This is a great course for anyone who wants to learn more about the creative economy. Here is my first certificate;

Education in Kenya 

Boarding schools will be prohibited in primary schools beginning next year!  What are your thoughts?

 “We must create a way in which we can be with our children and the only way is through day schooling,” Dr. Kipsang noted. 

Read more >> https://bit.ly/3BipZLv 

 Yesterday, around 8 p.m., I encountered a group of children as young as 5 years old playing randomly in the street, with some playing dangerous games. It is extremely concerning that children have been left to play at random in the street late at night. Some would argue that it is a normal culture in informal settlements or underserved communities, particularly during school vacations. But I believe there is ample opportunity for us to challenge the status quo, beginning with how we approach parenting and instilling a new culture change. 

#QualityEducation #LifeLongLearning

African Football Federations Needs to Change Strategy

African Football Federations Needs to Change Strategy to Increase Their Chances of Winning the World Cup. Congratulations to Morocco in the first place for overcoming Spain in the round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022. 

This is definitely good news for the African continent, as the World Cup's history book just got a new page. When will an African team win the World Cup? No African country has ever advanced to the World Cup semifinals or taken home the coveted championship. 

After witnessing Senegal, the top team in Africa, according to the FIFA rankings, compete in the World Cup, I'm certain it's time for African teams to implement a new strategy or set of policies that would allow them to maximize rewards even if winning the trophy proves to be elusive. 

Senegal wasn't able to advance past the round of 16, which disappointed me. Instead, Morocco did the unthinkable by defeating Spain to advance to the quarterfinals. All of the African countries' hope is now placed in Morocco as they get ready to face Portugal, who also qualified for the quarter finals. 

Julian Finney/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Don't miss the match because there is a chance of another page in the World cup history to be written by Morocco. The Morocco versus Portugal match will be played on December 10 at 6 p.m. New Policy or Strategy Proposal. My recommendation is to implement a rule limiting calls up for the national team to 20% of players competing in foreign leagues, with the remaining 80% going to those competing in home leagues. 

 Many people would argue that players who compete in domestic leagues lack experience, but my concern is whether or not players who compete for abroad, clubs can compete with other great athletes on the international stage. 

Only a small fraction of players possesses qualities that can be matched on a global scale, and the rest would find it difficult to compete even in local leagues. 

 The primary benefit of implementing this strategy is...

1. It will provide a stage for developing fresh talent 
2. It will encourage the government, public and the private sector to fund or sponsor the game.
3.  More talents would be showcased on a worldwide scale for export, building a large pool of players playing in foreign clubs that will help boost the GDP and other developments. 

Kenyan Football 

I learned yesterday from the news that the cabinet has approved Kenya's bid to co-host the 2027 AFCON. My sole query is: given that this is fantastic news, what do you think needs to be done? In general, the African continent has a lot of untapped talent that has to be professionally organized and supported by the right infrastructure in order to be very valuable in fostering sustainable development.

Good Read >>> Achraf Hakimi's nerveless 'Panenka' penalty seals stunning World Cup shock as Morocco beats Spain in shootout to reach quarterfinals | CNN

Start Up Business - Youth And Business.

 The Market Share!

It takes a lot to have a good portion or percent of the market share when starting a business. There is a trend in SME market where traders compete to sell the same product within the a certain location. Having many players selling the same product in some ways  creates  a mass market for customers, but the disadvantages come with the competing prices and quality.

Street Smart Vs. Book Smart

Running a real business and reading on how book how a business is run can never be the same. Running a business gives the best experience that is yet to be featured in books and in the confines of a classroom.

Thoughtful..

How does one create a Unique Selling Point (USP) within a crowded market? Here are some tips, I will use the shoes as my primary product to put the message across.  So if everyone is selling shoes there are many options you can think about  if you want to tag along the same product line as follows;

1. Add shoe laces on your product line.
2. Add shoe brushes and shoe polish.
3. Sell variety of shoes second hand and brand new. Variety can also mean sizes and for different groups.
4. Have a shoe repair corner.
5. Sell both on retail and wholesale prices.
6. Have an online store or invest in online marketing even in the simplest way using social media.
7. Build a brand identity don't just sell shoes but create a value that people would love to connect with.
8. Build your own brand.
9. Good customer care is important. This cut across from how you communicate, how you do your packaging, the time you give you customer to choose etc.

And many more...

Value addition is key in selling any product and it can come in different form that would make the customer love and need your products.

This is all for today, I hope you have learned something. Get in touch with me for a session on Creative Entrepreneurship whereby in a 5 days session  we will cover the 9 business fundamentals using the Business Model canvas that would enable you launch any business of your choice regardless of how the market is saturated.

 the best author of your story is YOU!

Do More / Be More  /Be Different

Read More >> https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2020/02/creative-entrepreneurship-crafting.html?m=1

9 Reasons Why You Need a ToDo List.

#ProjectPlanning #ProjectManagement

There is power in keeping a To-do list. I have been using a To-do list for more that 20 years to ensure maximum productivity and proper planning. There are many reasons why youth don't achieve their set goals and if you pay attention you will find that they don't follow up, they don't have a to-do list and procrastination rule in the way they do things. 

How many times have you said to yourself, I will do it tomorrow and never to remember anything. Just take note, one day there will be no tomorrow! In case you are wondering where do I get this extra hours to do many things, I will tell you that there is great power in keeping a To-do list. 

 So What is a To-Do list?

 A list of errands and other tasks – often written on a piece of paper as a memory aid – that one needs or intends to accomplish. Mowing the lawn and chopping the weeds topped his to-do list of chores. Source :- https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/to-do_list 

In the simplest term a to-do list means, a list of things to be done. Everyday present to us an opportunity to do what we must do, what we love, what we don't love, but must do, plan for the uncertainty, etc. all these within a 24hrs schedule unless you carry forward some task. In general, every person needs a work and life balance to be productive in what they do. 

There are many reasons why we should keep a to-do list, which can be either through a mobile application, notebook, white board, etc. Below are 9 reasons from my diary why you should keep a to-do list;

1. It helps prioritize work. 
2. It keeps you motivated once a task is done. 
3. It helps in tracking progress. 
4. It helps manage time. 
5. It creates harmony in a collaborative project. 
6. Manage anxiety and randomness. 
7. It drives focus.
8. It helps in reporting. For example, what has been done and what needs be done. 
9. It helps create a happy hour or time to relax.

One of my happy hours, that I also plan for is writing or reading an article while on traffic jam. Most of my ideas have been born through intentionally planning for my time everywhere I go ( The creative hours). 

Good read on Todo list 

By keeping such a list, you make sure that your tasks are written down all in one place so you don't forget anything important. And by prioritizing tasks, you plan the order in which you'll do them, so that you can tell what needs your immediate attention, and what you can leave until later.

Source: https://www.mindtools.com/aug8p7g/to-do-lists

 Insightful 

 Being jobless can rob you many things from your energy, passion, aspirations and eventually keep you off the track from your set goals. On the contrary, no matter how strange this might sound, being jobless is an opportunity to learn something new and for that to happen you need the right attitude to see it that way. Apart from money, talent, knowledge and skills are some form of 'currency' that helps you attract opportunities on your side. 

 Do More / Be More / Be Different www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

Play Safe With Dignity - How it all started

Play Safe With Dignity. How it all started, the football shoes and general resource mobilization for teams and players in Mathare North. 

My football journey started in different spaces from playing in the corridor, staircases, in school and many other open spaces with my peers and we used whatever we could call a football that we made from waste materials.

Even though time has passed some elements of how we used to do things are still alive within the activities of the current generation. I remembered vividly the time I got the chance to play a more organized football match was through Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) community league whereby I was attached to Mathare North Zone. 

I remembered most of us played barefoot with a MYSA branded vests which were shared amongst all the participating teams in the community league. I played barefoot until around 14 years when the transition happened after receiving a pair of donated football shoes from the late Helge from Norway after scoring the only goal against a more talented side, the Mathare United Youth team in a tournament that was organized in his honor known as the Helge's cup played in 1996 at St. Benedict parish grounds along Thika road. 

The Football Shoes Campaign

I started the football shoes and resources mobilization campaign for teams in Mathare North especially for the age U10 - U15 to help them play in a more dignified way and in a safe environment. My goal is to also restore the children's and youth hope of becoming the next stars in future by going through an experience that will encourage them to Do More, Be More and Be different. I also strive to train them on values that would help them aspire to become role models and change makers in our society. 

Read More >> 

• https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2022/09/golden-goal-for-golden-boots.html?m=1
• https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2020/10/soccer-balls-and-shoes-boots-campaign.html?m=1 

Sport is a great vehicle that can help instill life transforming values outside the confines of a classroom. When I see the kids play, I see more in them that needs to be  nurtured and supported further. So, aside from my vision of seeing every child in my community, play in a safe environment and dignified ways I want to invest time training them in values and soft skill that would enable them to adapt in different life transitions.

These values are for example; improved self esteem, fair play, teamwork, leadership, role modelling, responsibility, self confidence, respect, discipline, professionalism, compassion and many more.

Highlights of my achievements playing football. 

1. Founded the Mathare North Festive Season Football Tournament (MNFSFT) for the senior teams and junior teams (U10 - U15). 
2.  Organized and coordinated a peace tournament in Mathare North that featured twelve teams during the December holiday the year 2013. 
3. Participated in the Diversity Cup in Hamburg Germany with other 14 fellows from other countries as part of the Dekeyser fellowship now known as the Do School http://thedoschool.org/
4. Played the Norway cup with Mathare United U16’s in the year 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively. In the year 1998 assistant team captain and 1999 I was the overall team captain. 
5.  Team manager of Otto-Benecker football girl’s team. www.otto-beneckerfc.blogspot.com. 
6.  Founder and head coach of Metro Sports FC which is youth lead initiative through sports in the slum. 
7.  Played for Mathare United under 17 team, winning the Coca-Cola youth tournament in 1999 in Nairobi. 
8. Captain of Don Bosco secondary school football team 1999, Nairobi-Kenya.
9.  1999 Winner of MYSA (Mathare Youth Sports Association) Best Player and Fair Play awards.
10. 2010 founded Mathare North Rangers F.C under Wilsen initiative (Wi).
11. Played for De La Rue and Pumwani Sportive in the Kenya Football Federation league (FKF).
12. Played for Otto-bene
13.  Mobilized and connected football resources to more than 20+ teams and 500+ players . And many more... 

 "Anyone who criticizes the power of sports in creating opportunities for the youth and children means they have never tasted the benefit of any game" - Wilson Masaka founder Wilsen Initiative (Wi), Team Leader, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur. Do More / Be More / Be Different.