We Have Moved!

We have moved our website and blog to a new location.  We will no longer be updating this blog.

You can now find us at http://www.uwezakenya.org.

Our new blog is at http://www.uwezakenya.org/blog.

My Story: Dorcas Kirwai

My Story" gives beneficiaries of Uweza programs the opportunity to tell their own story about their experience with Uweza.  Today's story is written by Dorcas Kirwai, who just finished Class 6 at St. Anne's Primary School, which is a boarding school.  Dorcas ranks at the top of her class during exams and is targeting a national high school to fulfill her dreams of being a lawyer and a journalist.  During breaks from school, she is a member of the Uweza Journalism Club and frequently writes stories about other Uweza projects for this blog. 

My name is Dorcas Kirwai.  I am thirteen years old, learning in Saint Anne's Primary School and going to class seven next year. I live with a mother who came to my rescue when my mother died while I was still young.  I, Kirwai Dorcas, would like to inherit the title "journalist," follwing the footsteps of my role model Julie Gichuru (Kenyan journalist working for Citizen TV).  I would also like to work with the children's department as a lawyer.  As Ben Carson illustrates to us, to 'THINK BIG,' I believe 'YES I CAN.'

I joined the Uweza Journalism Club in November 201.  Since I joined, I have experienced different and good things.  The most exciting time is when I wrote stories after every visit.  Our teacher, Thomas, has taught us how to take different kinds of photos.  During the August school holidays, we as a journalism club, has the opportunity to visit two media houses, which gave us an insight of how they are run. The stations were Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, a state owned media house, and Citizen Televsion, a privately owned media house.

Dorcas, left, with fellow Journalism Club member Aisha

The trips gave us great priviledge to meet some of the news anchors, who shared their experiences and what it takes to be a journalist.  This gave me good motivation, knowing that I am on the right track with my career path.

Mostly, when I go back to boarding school, I usually share with the other members of our school what we learned during the holidays.  I am very proud of myself, my journalism teacher, and the Uweza Foundation for their thoughts to empower young people with rightful skills as we look ahead to the future.

Be Inspired Before You Expire

Story by Dorcas Kirwai
Photos by Rebecca Musanga

The afternoon of last week journalism session was one of its kind.  Despite the cloudy and windy weather, we all settled down ready to be informed with the two journalists from a local community radio station based in Kibera, Pamoja FM, Felix  Asoha and Kamadi Amata. The session started with formal introductions so as each one of us could get well acquainted.

As routine now, we had our newspaper review session, which gives all participants an avenue to read through the day’s dailies, after which everyone shares one news story they read.  We also share news happenings from the past week so as each one of us could get up to speed with current news affairs, both locally to nationally, and even international news.





The day gave each one of us an opportunity to preview one of the toughest interviews we have had never ever thought about. The interview had Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and Nation Media News Manager Linus Kaikai.


The video was to give us more insights of different interview techniques to use, should any one of us get into such a situation.  Then it would be easier to use learned skills to take charge and overcome
The interview was not that easy for Linus Kakai, the interviewee seemed to have taken charge and kept on challenging the interviewer with questions rather than answers. This kept us thinking if any of us were in that hot spot, how would we have handled interview?

Felix  Asoha and Kamadi Amata of Pamoja FM

All of us present were asked to give our feedback about the interview. Mr. Felix could not hesitate to teach us on how to prepare oneself before any interview. He featured on information, stating that, we should always be informed especially when going for an interview to avoid questions of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ and to do thorough research before any interview.

We all had the opportunity of getting informed at least from people already working from a media house what it takes to prepare beforehand for an interview be it with celebrities, locals and even dignitaries. From the video piece we all watched, I think we are better off and would be looking forward to put into practice a few of new learnt ideas on interviewing skills.

Our day ended with a simple but a challenging game and the nutritious cup of porridge.

Wonders Never End in Museums

Story and photos by Rebecca Musanga and Dorcas Kirwa.

As the old saying goes,’ Old is gold’ and indeed we have now verified this proverb because we also believe that seeing is believing.  So on a cool Saturday morning, on the 8th of December 2012, all roads led to Nairobi National Museum. We went under the supervision and guidance of our art instructor, Mr. Joseph Wanderi ("Wanderer"), who was well armed with two well-trained journalists known as Dorcas Kirwai and Rebecca Musanga (the authors of this blog).

It was a chance for the art program kids to take a day off from their normal routine with the paint brushes and explore what is offered at the Nairobi National Museum. On arrival, a scary gigantic dinosaur welcomed us as we waited to be cleared. We first visited the museum art exhibition where we were totally inspired by people’s professional artwork. I was amazed when I saw one fine art painting costing 350, 000 Kenyan Shillings ($4,120 USD), meaning that if I was to paint or draw three of them, then I could be a millionaire in a few weeks time.



“When drawing or painting a landscape, never start with the people or objects but always start with the sky to give your picture a balance. You can also use boundaries of a picture that contains objects of different localities,” advised Mr. Wanderer.

We were able to see different species of all types of birds, including the owl, which most people associate with bad omen. For the first time, I saw an ostrich’s egg. We also saw an exhibition on cutleries, read Kenya’s history, learned about the Mau Mau generation, saw colonial garments, and learned about older means of transport, including the railway line in which we saw one built at the museum, and learned about media culture, sports and lastly fossils.

Next was a walk to the Snake Park, where it even got scarier.  We viewed live snakes caged in different glass transparent walls and they were as well crawling towards our direction. I guess they were excited to see us. I got very interested when I saw these two types of snakes; one was the Milk Snake that eats insects, eggs and frogs. It’s harmless and lays 10 eggs per clutch. The second one was known as Boom slang, a big fanged venomous tree snake that has deadly slow acting venom that causes a general bleeding and the snake is non aggressive. We also saw some moving turtles, crocodiles and an alligator.



The trip ended with some adventure and funny games as some dancers entertained us. The music carried us too and we joined them in dancing to their tune of the orutu, flute and the drums. Sadly we had to leave all the fun behind and go back home but we remained with great memories stored in our minds. All that has a beginning must have an ending. We entered the bus and left for Uweza Foundation Center where we ended the day with lunch.

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Rebecca Musanga and Dorcas Kirwai are members of the Uweza Journalism Club.

Speak It Out: First Edition

by Thomas Bwire

The center was filled with youthful faces, all waiting in anticipation for the day’s afternoon session that was going to be the first of its kind in our programs. This came timely as majority of the kids in different programs were now on holiday and home from their respective schools.

It’s five minutes past 3pm as scheduled on the program and small murmurs in low tones could be heard outside the sitting bay where benches were neatly arranged and filled up by the participants. Being one of the moderators of the session, with Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew Muema, we took charge of the program by introductory remark  and making every one present feel at ease since it was a day specifically to speak out their minds on one of the key topical issues in life, "Choosing a Career."

The number of the adolescent in attendance was 58 for the first session of “Speak It Out.” Speak It Out is a new project that brings in guest speakers to engage and motivate youth ages 14 and up about issues that are important to them.

Today's topic touched on best choices for university admission, how to choose your future career and what it takes to succeed in the soccer field. Our first speaker Charle gave an inspiration talk on what it takes to be a good academic scholar and on choosing the right course when one wants to join campus.

Charles addressing the group

Charles also encouraged the participation of all participants wanting to know how one can join campus to pursue their dream courses. Different aspects were presented by Charles whom also shared a little bit of his experience which ended to be very motivational.

The second speaker was someone who is viewed as a soccer guru and seen by many as a hero. Godfrey Otieno, known by many here as Solo, shared his experiences of what it takes to excel in the soccer industry. The majority of those present followed keenly and wanted to get a better understanding of skills needed to succeed in the soccer industry. The talk revolved around his experience and how he started playing soccer at a young age.

Solo discusses how to develop a career out of talents

Solo explained that he would always play with his friends and whenever he noticed her mother passing by in the field, he would enact all the tactful moves so as to get noticed and also get support. His passion has seen him travel to many African countries as a player and he has also played for the national team, Harambee Stars.

Finally, the speakers were able to answer some of the questions from all the participants.  Each of the participants filled out an evaluation form to provide their feedback for future sessions, which will take place every month.  Participants appreciated the new initiative and requested to learn more about topics such as drug and alcohol addition, family breakup, relationships, peer pressure, and drugs. The session came to a close with snacks for everyone involved.