Leadership for life training

It is interesting how when you go to a place, you are always drawn to like-minded

people. So, I have been in Nyeri for some time now and Sam Kairu art and events

coordinator of Zawadi society always gets me to be at the right place and at the

right time:)



Last two weeks it was at the golf club, and this past week it has been at the

Children and Youth empowerment centre at Thunguma, Nyeri, for the Albert Schweitzer

leadership for life programme.

The training organized by Alan Kerin’s projects it is an inception of Foroige’s eight

programs since inception in 1952. Having been in place in Ireland, this was the

first time it is being introduced into Kenya through a pilot, six months after it was

tried out in Zambia as the first African country.



It was really interesting going through topics like team building, communications

skills through the various games and activities. Thinking outside the box is key in

team building. I remember an activity where we were divided in groups and were meant

to make a square out of Kenyan flag pieces given.

Our over confident team would not merge with the rest of the groups and by the time

we got to know that that’s how we would complete the square, it was too late:(The

other teams weren’t convincing enough though:(

The more reflective topics like self awareness really got someone thinking about

their dreams and aspirations and especially the leadership goals.

I got a chance to interact with people from various parts of the country and the

facilitators Pearse and Kyra from Ireland were surely awesome!


Though I had to skip a day for an interview, learnt a lot in between and look forward

to being a leadership facilitator soon enough:)I am now part of CYEC and hope to be

involved in more projects. Sam Kairu, where are we going to next?

Why I will learn how to play golf



I never imagined my self at a golf course. However, two weeks ago, I got to attend a charity golf tournament for Nyeri hospice and to be honest, despite knowing that this event was for a noble cause, and whatever I did really counted, I got to learn a lot about the game in between, and a I am still determined to learn more.

As part of street 10100 project, a club under Zawadi society, we were meant to cover the event in terms of photography. Besides developing a few story ideas, I also got a chance to interact with people from the over 30 corporate companies’ that had sponsored this event.



There was the fun bit of cause; meeting old and new friends, some of whom had volunteered to be cuddies for the day but above all, I learnt more about Nyeri hospice; the host of the day.
Nyeri hospice is a charitable organization that offers palliative care for the terminally ill cancer and HIV/AIDS patients around Mt. Kenya region.



The institution relies on donors, well wishers, the community and contributions from friends through fundraising events like golf tournaments and charity walks. Through such events, the institution raises money that goes a long way in helping to care for the increased number of cancer patients.
Individuals, who are interested in volunteering at the hospice, have to undergo 2 day training at a fee of three thousand shillings. This ensures that they are highly sensitized. In the near future the institution hopes to establish a home for retirees, as it continues to give the help needed to the community.
This specific golf tournament saw a considerable amount of money go into the Nyeri hospice kitty. Despite having had fun, everyone who participated went home knowing that they had somehow made another life better.

So, the next time you do find me at a golf course, you definitely know why I am there. I hope to kill two birds with one stoneLive a healthy life by playing golf as a sport, and touch lives by participate in more of such charity events

MY EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH BENON OLUKA

By Margaret Muthee

While many were celebrating the month of love, I was more than honoured to be working with one time CNN journalist award winner, Benon Oluka, a guy from the neighboring Uganda, also currently a student at Witwatersrand University.


Ever thought of Chinese being introduced in high schools and other lower learning institutions in Kenya, and the implications this would have on the country and the continent as a whole? Yes! This is what we had to un mask.



Being a journalist is like tasting honey and ginger/lemon at the same time. At times you get to experience that bitter-sweet taste, and especially when things do not work out exactly as you’d planned them. On one hand, it opens up your world giving you a chance to go to places and meet people that you’d never imagined. On the other hand, it can be tough. Having to interview different people in different places and within a short time frame can be crazy! This is more so especially when you have to work under pressure and across countries.
A day doesen’t always turns out the way you expect it. This is a lesson I learnt during this research. For one, the people you meet are different. While some are willing to give you their time opening up on different issues, some may let you down big time!
However, a valuable lesson I learnt under the mentorship of Benon. Never turn down even a five minute interview! When someone tells you that they can only spare you ten minutes of their busy schedule, gladly accept it. You may be surprised when the ten or five minute interview turns into an hour. This especially happens because most of the questions you ask are about something that they are passionate about. I did confirm this when we interviewed the Director of the Confucius institutes at Kenyatta and Nairobi University. They are really passionate about their work:)


Different organizations also have their different criteria on how to go about things and you can never by pass that. I remember a time when we needed to interview someone in the Kenya Institute of Education and we had to write an official request which had to be approved by the director before we could even interview someone. Unfortunately, time was not on our side and we had to skip that interview. Luckily, we had already gotten the view from the Ministry of Education; who were supposed to approve our interview for K.I.E before we would actually interview someone if we had waited.
As a journalist, it is always good to have an alternative plan, and to be ready for anything. Skipping a meal or eating on the move are some of the things that you should be ready for in case a situation calls for it. However, no challenge should deter you from achieving your goal- that story that you so much want. Keeping your mind focused on the ultimate goal really helps.
All in all, journalism is fun. You meet different people, and besides getting your story done, you may end up creating friendships that last:-) I had a fabulous time working with one of the best journalists in the continent:-) the people I met also inspired me to learn a language I never ever dreamt about:-)Chinese!

I will wait - By Margaret Muthee

I miss you...

Yes I truly do.

You say, cant miss one I don’t know

But know what am saying…I miss you

Coz though you don’t believe it, I know you



Know a gem when I see one

And trust my eyes…they are true

I see a different facet don’t you see?

One that my heart wants to embrace

Know I first walked the mainland.

Before you, the beauty of the plains blew my heart away

But now we both are

And we only get to live once!



Know you were born in a different land,

And hold the pride of the kingdom

The world has paths –and ours, they crossed

We share African blood- why I’ll embody your dreams





I understand your silence, your reluctance to speak

Only wish you’d share your wealth on this…

Have let it out-

Will give us time-



At this point in time, when you far from me

Realize how much I need you close to me

With most unsaid

I choose to wait

And wait I will till I see your face :)



Written on 18th May 2012

Daystar students lighting a candle of hope to the community

It’s not every day we hear positive stories about Uni students doing something noble in and out of campus. But a group of Daystar University students is making a difference in their community by building and running a primary school through a student-run Community Based Organization (CBO). Daystar Uni students registered Lukenya Pillars of Transformation in 2009, making the CBO the first registered Community Based Organization in Machakos County.

Some students identified the need to have a public primary school in Lukenya, as most of the schools in the community were private and out of reach for most residents. “The school came about after we realized that there was a need. We approached one of the community members, Mama Mary Mulandi, and she was so generous as to donate two acres of land. Other community members donated ‘mabati’ and few things here and there so as we could put up temporary structures,” says Metrine Namalwa, currently the Executive Director of Lukenya Pillars of Transformation, and also a fourth year social work student. The school got its name – Daystar Mulandi School – as a result of the cooperation between students and Mama Mulandi. Several other partners have since then joined the cause including Waridi Flower Company -which contributed the one permanent structure-, AIESEC, Lukenya Getaway, Lukenya Motors, Simba Cement, ADCU among others. Check out the link below for more of the story:

SOCIAL MEDIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN SUPPORTING ‘KENYA NI KWETU’

SOCIAL MEDIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN SUPPORTING ‘KENYA NI KWETU’

The social media phenomenon has been increasingly catching up in Kenya, and especially when it

comes to leading to mass action. Besides the ‘spread the Love’ and the‘Kenyans for Kenya’ initiative,

the Kenya ni Kwetu love protest’ drew people from across the board together in a demonstration

initiated through social media.

The Kenya ni kwetu graffiti on a wall in Nairobi

The initiative was a call to Kenyans to help build a better country, especially by voting

leaders who uphold integrity. Most people and especially participants found out about the protest

through social media.

“I really enjoyed the love protest! I found out about it on Twitter -I'm following Boniface Mwangi. I

decided to go because I believe in what Mwangi stands for, and I think he is the best-thinking young

person in the public today. I always want to support young people who want to change this country,

but the educated youth who can articulate that don't have the guts and clarity that Boniface has.”

Said Dr. Wandia Njoya a lecturer at Daystar university.

Dr. Wandia Njoya during the protest

Although not everyone who heard about it participated, word for sure was out. “The social media was

majorly the platform used to promote this cause.

Boxes for burying the vultures during the protest.

That was one powerful peace demonstration and the social media did play an important role in it. I

actually found out through twitter.” said David Jerome, a university student, through face facebook.

As Jacque Ndinda a writer and a poet explained, the social media was actually the springboard to the

demonstrations.

“Social media provided them with a platform. The conversation that gave birth to the protest was

started on social media.”

As mentioned earlier, this was not a first. However, unlike the rest of the initiatives mentioned, the

‘Kenya ni  kwetu’ initiative managed to pull the middle class to the streets,  and  as some say, it may

have a futuristic  aspect to it.

“The middle class rarely has such courage to take part in a protest unless it’s about salaries. Next time

such a demo happens, I can only imagine it will be bigger.” Said Edwin Kuria, a creative designer. 

Participants of the Kenya ni Kwetu love protest in action

“I really hope that Boniface 

organizes more demonstrations

because this one gave us a

momentum, and it bound us

together. I think if we have more

demos, we will remind Kenyans

that the current leadership is rotten,

and we must vote the whole lot

out.” added Dr. Wandia Njoya.

Some however think that the status quo will not change. “Only independent and strong institutions will

help Kenya from power hungry leaders. These initiatives are just euphoric and will pass without

achieving much.” Said Geofrey Otieno.

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My Film experience as Assistant producer

 My Film experience!  

Wow! Where to start? This semester has been quite an experience for me in terms of film. Just to break it down more, will focus on the stages of production we’ve been through so far.

The development stage was quite a time because team Ameliorates dint were completely rock bottom. We had no story whatsoever; until one of us gave us a story idea that still needed reworking.

I volunteered to be part of the creative developing the story further. I was also to be assistant producer. This was a time of rediscovering myself and what I can do in the film industry, basically a time to get myself acquainted with the film making process and figuring out how this journey would be.

The pre- production stage was next. As assistant producer, I discovered that had to be involved through all stages and especially in making sure that everything ran smoothly. Together with the producer, we ensured that the locations manager had found locations on time. At times we went location scouting.

We consulted with the crew on the budget and what we would contribute as a team. In this stage, casting auditions were also held. We ensured that everything went well during casting.

I helped out in handling the crowd outside the audition room and later was involved in settling conflict with some of the crew members.

Script meeting were constantly held during this stage and was involved in its development initially before we settled on one person writing the final script.

During this stage, I discovered that it is important to finish doing a shooting schedule on time, since almost everyone in the crew and cast need it. The director of photography, director, locations manager and casting director all needed it.  The studio technician would also not give us equipment without it, and constantly followed the schedule later in giving us equipment later.

The challenge I faced in coming with a schedule was fixing the dates.  I was afraid of fixing dates that wouldn’t be followed. On this one I had to consult our main producer.

The journey has been long and finally we are currently on the production stage J as the assistant producer, I have basically been involved in ensuring that the crew is peaceful and working as a team. I also ensure that when we are shooting, the cast also feels at home and that everything is as it should be.

This may not be noticeable all the time but I do.

When we are shooting off campus, I ensure that we have a gate pass on time and that all runs smoothly. I have also at times helped in storage of equipment when we are shooting in campus. The main work however has been trouble shooting problems on set. Be in terms of handling the cast well, realizing there’s a problem with lighting, sticking to schedules or lifting the spirits of the cast and crew when that camera battery goes dead, or when we are still on set at 1 am. It may not be as visible but I believe I have made a difference being on set, be it in those small waysJ

The journey continues, and even though we are under pressure as time is running out, I am hoping for the best out of this wholesome film experience!

Margaret Muthee