Uweza is my strength

by Thomas Bwire

“I came to know about Uweza Foundation last year during its official launch in Karanja. Since then, I became part of the family and I have never looked back.”  Meet Henry Onguti Thomas, 28, a parent to Reagan Onguti aged 8 years. Henry is a happy father to his son, Reagan whose success story is gradually shining on him at this tender age both in his school work and in extra curricular activities.

Henry (left) and Thomas speaking at the Uweza Community Center

Following the launch of the Uweza center, there was no turning back for Henry whom after attending a parents meeting, made a decision to allow his son participate in the Uweza Foundation programs.  Reagan, now in class three at Old Kibera Primary School, attends the extra remedial classes held by Uweza, known as tuition, undertaken by experienced tutors in assisting kids in the program with their school work.

By letting his son join the program, Henry hoped that his son would get better foundation to help him excel in life, because going to school is essential and every kid has a right to education.  During our interview, Henry informed me that he let his son join Uweza Foundation, because of the assurance of children’s safety while at the center, unlike in the other self sponsored tuition sessions that leave parents worried of their children’s safety.

His son is doing well in school and has been in the top five positions in school exams. Besides school work, the boy is also doing well in Uweza's sports soccer program. Early this year, during the award ceremony for the soccer participants, Reagan emerged top, edging out other boys under his category and scooping up a trophy and a medal for Player of the Year for the Under-8 category.

Reagan and his mother accept the award for Player of the Year with area Chief and Uweza Program Manage

His moving words, inspired by the spirit of determination and courage, are unshakable as he is a dedicated parent, which I easily noticed when he took me to his home in Makina village. The court they live in is clean. Upon entering his one roomed house, it looks well organized.

“This is my home where I live with my wife, whom at the moment is at work and my daughter is in school though she will be here in a short while.” says Henry.

During our 20 minute stay at his house, he was able to tell me that he has lived in Nairobi since the year 1996 when he came as a young scout member to a camp at Rowland camp for scouts.  On one of the walls, hangs Reagan’s medal he won from the Uweza soccer program.  As he proudly shows me his son's medal, Henry tells me “You see, hard work pays and am I happy that I can gradually see the talent in my son."

Thank you Emily

by Thomas Bwire

Emily Townsend has been working as an assistant teacher in the journalism club at Uweza Foundation from the month of February. She had an opportunity to interact with young up-coming journalists in the club based in the Kibera community.

During her period of engagement with the club, she was able to impact skills to the participants that one requires when becoming a trained journalist. Part of the sessions involved teaching the key elements in news writing, i.e.  “Who, What, Why, When, Where and How.”  Her presentations in some of the sessions she participated in were lively as this created an avenue for opening up among the students in the club.

Many view her as a mentor, as she got to encourage and ask everyone to have a focused goal of what they need to achieve in their journalism career. Besides working with Uweza, she also worked as an intern at the voice of Kibera, Pamoja FM, a local radio station.

Emily hails from Lansing, Michigan in the USA and majors in Journalism and Philosophy at Kalamazoo College.  We wish her well as she goes back to the US this week. Her presence will highly be missed back with the club members and all those who had an opportunity to interact with her.

The Power of Reading

by Thomas Bwire

7th March is one of the most unique global day set aside by Lit World Organization to celebrate the “World Read Aloud Day” The day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. According to the Lit World Organization at least 793 million people remain illiterate around the world. This day which was first celebrated in the year 2010 serves as a reminder to read aloud and join the literacy movement. More than 35 countries worldwide participate in this event.

In Kenya in the Kibera community the day too was not forgotten as Children of Kibera organization held a special programme targeting the primary school going kids to get. This was to enable them get enlightened too. A few selected kids from one of the primary schools Red Rose Academy held this event; their mission entailed visiting some of the few schools in the Kibera community and reading aloud a story in front of other kids in a classroom set up.  The selected kids held a white banner with the words “World Read Aloud Day” as they walked from school to school.

Participating students hold up banner

Their first stop was their own school the Red Rose Nursery School, then off they went to the Primary school section. Here I got to interview a few of the older kids on their understanding of this day.

Diana Akinyi a class eight pupil was able to share her understanding of the world read aloud day. She said it is important to read and that it’s not about age, even if you are old you can still read and still ask someone to help you if you cannot read well.

For Maxwell Omari, a class seven pupil who likes to play soccer and also an avid reader. He says that “The day means that today we have to read and more books and we have to read them aloud so that other people can hear it.”

The next stop was at Spurgeon Academy School where we had the opportunity to see kids being able to read stories to each other. One important element of the  project assistant officer of children of Kibera Prisca Mawia was that once you read a story book, you should kindly show your audience the photos, especially young kids who learn to read though pictures.

Class Four students at Spurgeons Academy read a story

The last stop was at Olympic primary school where the same exercise was carried out among class six pupils who felt motivated to create time to read so as to enhance their knowledge.
World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially words that are passed from one person to the another, and creates a community of readers.

A crowded class at Olympic Primary listens as their fellow pupil reads

 A parting shot from Kenneth Okoth, the Executive Director of Children of Kibera challenged the well wishers, ministry of education  and other well wishers in Kenya that are focused on the welfare of children, education and literacy to donate books to support the community library, so that children from poor backgrounds with minimal resources can have access through their schools and community library, not forgetting the churches and the mosques who can put aside space not only for spiritual reading but other useful material that can help children in the community to grow in other ways.

Uweza FC and Kibera Golden Stars end match in a draw

by Thaddeus Otieno

The day started on a good side as the boys had some energy in readiness for the game to be played at Woodley soccer field. The sun shone high above the blue sky and dressed in the orange color uniform, our team Uweza FC stole a few seconds by praying while  holding each other’s shoulders to wish themselves luck on the pitch.

Their opponents Kibera Golden Stars team, dressed in purple, did their prayer as a symbol of faith of wishing themselves luck in this game.

In no time, the referee blew the whistle, and off the game started for the next 45 minutes. Both teams had opportunities here and there as players from each side tried hitting the target to get the most crucial needed three points.

The first half went so fast that if one was watching the game, you could be easily be mistaken that the referee had eaten some of the time. The scores were nil nil and both teams got advices from their team coaches.

Come the second half, both teams wanted to win points and a minute into the play, Kibera Golden Stars were awarded a penalty after Uweza FC defender Dennis Odhiambo was hit by the ball mistakenly on his hand  near the goal post thus giving their opponents  a penalty kick. In a flash the ball hit the net after a hard kick by the Kibera Golden Stars player.


Our boys' spirits did not fall down as s few of the spectators kept encouraging them to keep on with the play focused. The game went on and both teams struggled to outdo each other on the pitch.


Less than 10 minutes before the match came to an end, luck knocked in favor of Uweza FC following a substitute when Collins (famously known as “Matei” by his team members) was brought into the game replacing Ramadhan. Moments thereafter, a cross came from Erick Ondimu to Charles Omondi. Charles did not miss the crucial opportunity and scored a goal for Uweza FC.

At the end of the match, both teams shared one point each, in this senior league for both participating teams in the Nairobi county zone league.

For more photos and to follow Uweza FC's progress, "like" us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/uwezafc

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Thaddeus Otieno is 18 years old and is in his third year of high school at Highway Secondary School in Nairobi. He has been an active member of the Uweza FC senior soccer team since 2009.











 

Kibera Women Learn About Film Making

by Rebecca Musanga

Monday afternoon presented an opportunity for young women to come together at Hot Sun Foundation and learn about film making. Hot Sun, an NGO, is located near Olympic Estate and home to both Kibera TV and Kibera Film School. The Film School offers hands-on film training to 12 youth per year from substandard housing throughout Nairobi. After touring the NGO’s facilities, 14 young women sat down and discussed the importance and struggles of females in film making.

Participants tour Hot Sun Foundation

Applications for the film school were initially due February 29th, 2012. However, Pamela Collett, trustee and curriculum organizer for Kibera Film School, said the admission committee is suspending application reviews until more ‘committed and passionate’ women apply.  Collett said many female students at Kibera Film School don’t concern themselves in class and/or don’t use their education after graduation.

Participants watch past Film School students' short films

Faith Wavinya is a 2009 graduate. She came to the discussion to speak on her success since leaving Kibera Film School.  Wavinya came from Kibera, and with the support of her single mother, she became a professional video editor for the popular show ‘Changes’. She offered advice to the eager crowd of women and said, “What drives my life is to give the best in whatever I do, with patience and obedience.”

Faith Wavinya, a 2009 graduate, talks about her path to success

Rebecca Musanga and Joyce Nyangasi of Uweza’s Journalism Club were participants.  Rebecca said, “I got from Faith…that the other women in her program were held back by responsibilities at home…most of the young women would look down upon themselves and imagine some careers are not necessarily meant for them so they end up leaving it up for men.”

Still Hot Sun feels they are not reaching women. Collett asked the participants, “How can we reach women who will be passionate about Film?” Most participants said they had never heard of Hot Sun Foundation.

Participants offer advice on how to reach women in Kibera

Rebecca proposes solutions like advertising on Facebook and in high school clubs. One participant, Max, said “so many youths fall into idleness after school. That’s maybe when you need to advertise to them.”

Collett ended the presentation by asking the participants to spread the word about Kibera Film School and repeated to the young women again and again, “What a man can do a woman can do better.”

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Rebecca Musganga is 18 years old and an Uweza Journalism Club member. She graduated from Ngara Girls High School last November and is currently awaiting her KCSE results.

Adding Knowledge Through Textbooks

by Emily Townsend

On a late weekend afternoon, Cynthia Mumia, age 15, sits on a wooden bench in a warm classroom at Uweza Foundation. She is bashful to talk, but thankful and respectful to Uweza staff members as they give her free textbooks for all of her standard eight classes.

Cynthia Mumia, Class 8 Student

As of Sunday the Uweza Sponsorship Program now includes free books for supported students within the program. Currently there are 25 students participating, who attend either Ayany Public Primary or Olympic Primary. Last year two students continued onto secondary school.

Cynthia says she likes Uweza because they help her pay Saturday school ‘tuition’ classes and now they pay for her books. Last year she was forced to borrow books from a friend. She admits it was difficult to share the books between two different villages and her grades suffered as a consequence.

Mathew, Uweza Sponsorship Coordinator, and George, Uweza Volunteer, prepare to distribute books

Aside from free schoolbooks, Uweza Sponsorship Program provides school fees, uniforms, and school supplies. Also if the child falls ill, Uweza uses a specific chemist for medicine and a hospital called Inshankai to treat the student.

Beatrice Njoki from Kianda Village is the mother of an 8-year-old attending Ayany Primary. She is grateful to Uweza and said, “They help children to learn and help parents enjoy life more.” Her daughter receives uniforms, books, and school tuition.

Dorcas, Class 3, and her mother Beatrice after receiving books

All 25 children visit Uweza every fourth Sunday to meet other kids, play games, and learn life skills. Students that receive a tuition scholarship may also choose an Uweza club and meet every weekend. There is an art, journalism, and football club. Mathew Muema, Sponsorship Coordinator, says, “Education comes first but then a supplement is important, too.” Njoki daughter chose to go to art club, because she likes to draw and paint.

Brian, Class 6, and mother Joyce receive books from Mathew

First time volunteer, George Odhiambo, helped pass out books to children and talk to parents. He said the experience was, "positive. The parents are uplifting their children with books. Now they have the materials to succeed."

Muema says Uweza is planning to start a secondary school sponsorship in the next year.

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Emily Townsend has been volunteering with the Uweza Journalism Club. She hails from Lansing, Michigan in the USA and majors in Journalism and Philosophy at Kalamazoo College. She is currently on Study Abroad at the University of Nairobi and interning at the Voice of Kibera, Pamoja FM. At Uweza she hopes to teach youth the importance of disseminating peace through community journalism.

Agnes the Cook

by Thomas Bwire

Agnes Adongo is the cook at the Uweza center, but as many of the kids in Uweza programme will tell you, Agnes is much more than a cook. She has taken the Uweza’s mission as her own.  Agnes, aged 32 years, lives in Olympic, one of the estates in Kibera, with her husband and four children, whom 3 are boys and one girl.

She joined the Uweza family in June of last year, 2011.  She says that working here brings joy and personal fulfillment as she is adored as a mother by the kids who come to the center, after their school day and served a  cup of hot porridge.

Her day at the center starts at 4pm and ends at 6.30 pm.  Upon her arrival, she heads to the kitchen located at one of the corners within the center premises and lights the jiko (Swahili for stove) using charcoal.

This takes less than five minutes and once the jiko is ready, she heads back to the kitchen and starts preparing the meal provided by the center to all the Uweza kids.  She took me through her preparation process of the porridge. “First put water into the sufuria (pot), give it some time to boil, say 15 minutes.

As you leave the water to boil, make a fine paste of flour using cold water with a clean bucket and stir it until it becomes thick and mixed well.

Then pour the paste into the boiling water and stir until it all starts releasing some bubbles. Add sugar that is enough for intake depending on the number of people you are cooking for. "Give it 10 more minutes and your porridge is ready," Agnes finishes with a smile and all this time under the watch of her little daughter.

By this time, one of the rooms hosting some of the students is almost full and students present are undertaking their school assignments silently. A hot steamy cup of porridge is served as each student gets a share and says “asante mathe” meaning thank you mum. Besides the students, staff members also get served a cup of porridge.

Upon completion, Agnes quickly washes the dishes and once she is done with all the kitchen chores, she bids me farewell and off she goes.

When asked about Agnes, Managing Director Jennifer Sapitro commented, "She is amazing. She consistently goes beyond the call of duty and demonstrates what participatory development and community service are about.”

Football Kenya Federation Nairobi League Launch

by Thomas Bwire

The city stadium was the place to be last Saturday and we at Uweza family were not left out either as we all joined other soccer teams from the Nairobi region during the official launch of the Football Kenya Federation league.

Teams adorned in their soccer jerseys took center stage at the City Stadium stands as they keenly followed the day’s programme. Not forgetting our soccer boys who also stood out of the crowd with blue jerseys written Uweza too had been sandwiched in between the spectators.

Uweza Senior Team players among the spectators
Upon arrival at around midday, two soccer teams were on the pitch show casing who was mighty than the other, the teams were Roto Moulders and Outering The two teams strived to emerge winners, but as we all know we cannot all be winners, Outering won the match by 2 goals.

The next match was the one that many will  remember, the old guards i.e. former international team players Harambee stars and local journalists representing different mediums.

In less than 10 minutes of the game, three scores had been scored against the journalist and this made the soccer commenter of the day, ask why the journalists were weak on the pitch yet they are strong in their headlines that create great impact for the country. By end of the game the scores were 4 nil, perhaps a learning lesson to carry home and go back to the drawing board how the news makers can win their next match against the old guards.

The day could not end without some forms of entertainment from several invited groups that also included young leaders of today.

Children perform poetry and drama
In his speech the chairman of the Football Kenya Federation, Sam Nyamweya, said that he was very impressed that the Nairobi branch had initiated a league for this region. They are looking forward to work with any sponsors who are willing to support the league.

Football Kenya Federation Chairman Sam Nyamweya
Nyamweya also added that they are committed to transparency in managing soccer affairs in the country, as he gave Kenyans assurance that the country will not go back into the dark years of soccer mis-management.

Our team was almost full house with the delegation led by the soccer program Team Manager Charles Kaindi, Assistant Team Manager David Alal, Coaches Said Mohammed and Joash Ngaira all present in the VIP section, not forgetting Managing Director Jennifer Sapitro.

Uweza coaches watching the matches
The league will host more than 20 teams in Nairobi where teams participating will compete and the Uweza team will play under the Nairobi County League. We do wish them well as they embark on the hard journey and try to show case what they can offer.

For more photos of the event, check out the photo gallery here: http://uweza.org/gallery/leaguelaunch.html

Cyrus Begins High School

Blog readers who have been following Uweza for the last few years now know Cyrus and his story. For those of you unfamiliar, Cyrus is a 20 year-old student who has been sponsored through Uweza since 2009. Cyrus became blind in 2008 as a result of methanol poisoning.   Due to the generosity of donors, Uweza helped Cyrus to receive emergency care at Nairobi Hospital and likely saved Cyrus' life. Unfortunately, the care provided could not save his sight.

 In 2009, sponsored by Mark and Brad from Australia, Cyrus restarted his education at a technical school for the blind. He learned how to read and write braille in preperation for starting Class 7 (7th grade) in 2010. He had been in Class 8, a month away from take the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam and graduating primary school when the accident occurred. Cyrus restarted his primary school education at Thika School for the Blind in 2010.  He had to return to Class 7 before moving on to Class 8.

Last year, three years after his accident, he was able to take the KCPE exam. He received 234 out of 500, which is very impressive considering that he had only recently learned to read and write in braille. He was invited to two high schools and chose to attend St. Lucy's Secondary School for the Visually Impaired. The school is located just outside of Meru town, about a four hour bus ride from downtown Nairobi.

 Yesterday, Mathew (Uweza's Sponsorship Coordinator) and I dropped Cyrus off at his new school, with a new school uniform and all of the supplies he needs for the first term. Cyrus is very excited to be starting high school and is extremely dedicated to his education. Despite what has happened to him in his life, he remains positive and determined and has a great sense of humor about his situation. We expect great things from him and wish him the best as he starts a new chapter of his life. Thanks so much to Uweza's donors for your support of Cyrus since 2008 and to Mark and Brad for continuing to support his education.

Interview with Tom Odumo, Chair of Kibera Agenda

In last week’s blog, we gave an insight into the meeting of the Kibera Agenda 4, a local microfinance group based in Kibera, and as promised we bring the chairman’s interview into their activities. Thomas Bwire undertook the interview with Mr. Tom Odumo.

Kindly start by telling us your name.
My name is Tom Odumo, and I am the current chair person of the Kibera Agenda 4 group.

How did the birth of this group come about?
A friend from abroad had come to visit Kibera during the post election of 2007-2008. In one of our meetings with him, the idea came about on how we could create source of income, considering that most of the people had lost hope after their hard earned sweat had gone into drain when some rowdy youths stole and burnt our business during the 2007 election skirmish.

And from that time how many members are on board and how do you recruit new members?
We work on trust, like you have a friend and you tell him about what Kibera Agenda 4 is all about, and he or she gets to share the same information with other people, that’s how we have managed to recruit present members. Most of the members are women and also we have men too participating. The group currently has 90 members and they all reside in Kibera. Our meetings are held twice a week, i.e. on Wednesday 10.00am and Thursday 2.00pm.

So what happens during the weekly meeting?
When we meet, members present bring forward their weekly savings, we also give loans to our members. But we start with a first loan of ksh.2.000 then we move to ksh.5.000 and then next level, we give ksh.10.000. We also just introduced the fourth loan which amounts to ksh.15.000 but beyond that we cannot manage as a microfinance group since it’s on a higher side. While also giving loans, we encourage openness and trust among us members, though at times we encounter a few defaulters, which is normal.

Just to ask, how are members also empowered?
Oh yes, we do have Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University and CIC insurance whom have trained our members on financial matters and how to manage their businesses. Like last year they gave us a talk during the month of June. That’s one way to help create proper awareness for our people.

Do you have any other message?
I request that people of good will can join hands with us, by giving loans to us so as we can achieve a better today and not tomorrow.