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.

Life Skils All Ladies Should Know

by Rebecca Musanga

Life skills is next to common sense but as we know sometimes this skill is not as common among many individuals. In life, we undergo numerous and different transitions that enable us to move to the next step of success. On a bright Saturday morning, the 24th of November, Uweza Foundation organized a ladies life skills forum and the young ladies who came were from the different programs that it provides.

The main aim of the forum was to educate young ladies about the mandatory skills that they need to apply in their daily lives. Under the guidance our beloved, respected teacher Lydia, we all sat down, regardless of our age, to listen and learn more about life. Teacher Lydia dwelled mostly on the proper way of hygiene.

The major points she tackled were as follows:

• The proper way of bathing where we were advised to always have a shower at least twice in a day.
• Brushing of our teeth at least twice in a day.
• Wearing clean clothes daily.
• Always to use a white tissue when visiting the toilet and wash our hands regularly.
•  Wearing well fitting pants that should always be dry and clean to avoid getting infections.
• During the monthly period to use recommended pads and disposing them correctly.
• Get a better education and after that a career which will enable us to live a pleasing life.
• To abstain from sex until marriage since one can contract various diseases, some of which, like HIV and AIDS, don’t have any cure.
• Respect to our elders especially our parents and to the laws provided in the constitution.
• Shaving of pubic and armpit hair to avoid bad smell and other complications 
• Above all to keep our dignity through earning a good education, happiness good social and moral values and reverence for God.
  

The explanations to this session were in depth, which left us with no questions to ask but more knowledge to acquire. “Our life as ladies is like an egg, it can easily break, we are like flowers that need proper care to blossom or else we can fade anytime,” said teacher Lydia as she concluded.

We all had a great time and did not want the session to end. Everyone had a great time to enjoy the snacks that were provided as we promised to share the knowledge with the other young ladies who were absent. Truly, life skills should be a mandatory subject in all learning institutions to remind people on the good morals and ethics of life.

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Rebecca Musanga is a member of the Uweza Journalism Club.