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!