A Hike to Ngong Hills

by Jenipher Awour

Sunday 22nd April was a day that we had all waited for in anxiety for the much hyped hike to Ngong Hills. During our Friday journalism class, our teacher Mr. Thomas had asked that everyone keep time and arrive at the center by 8am or else the team will leave without you for the trip. Upon my arrival at the center, most of the other club members had already arrived. All looked jovial for the day ahead.

Shortly before our departure, we had all our names taken down for easier identity of how many people were present. We sat in one of the classes as we waited for the matatu and a few minutes past 8.30am the matatu crew arrived and wasting no time we all rushed and boarded. Just before our departure Rebecca prayed for our safe trip and back.

In no time, we drove off and our first stop was at one of the shopping malls along Ngong Road and Teacher Thomas and Teacher Harriet hurried to purchase a few more snacks for the group. Upon their return, we drove off once more and only making a small stop over at Race Course bus stop to pick Nicholas one of our members too. Within half an hour of driving we all arrived at the entry gate to the Ngong Hills and waited for an entry fee to be paid and once this was done, we all rolled our sleeves and started walking towards the hills. The green scenery of the landscape looked like  laid carpet on the ground. Everyone looked fresh with strong energy as no one knew how far we had to walk up the hills.

We all walked as a group and made it past the first second and the third hill. The task came ahead upon our arrival on the fourth hill where all the energy was all gone and majority of the members opted that we all rest. While resting it was time to have a bit of one of the snacks known as amigos, which are yellow in color soft when eaten. Once done, we made another one more climb to the fifth and sixth hill and from the top one easily enjoy the larger landscape beneath and a few of tall buildings at the capital city of Nairobi faintly seen from far.

Eating time

Having had enough rest, a few suggestions were put forward that we proceed to the next hill. Aisha Mohammed quickly pointed out that she was tired and could not climb another hill,  “Hey guys, let’s just go up one more time,” Nicholas told us.  His sentiment that was quickly echoed by Dominic Arasa.  “Yes yes lets go up people!” But the look on people’s faces they all said it all. "If you go up, just leave me with all your sodas here," said teacher Thomas.  "Yes you will still find us here," added teacher Harriet.

Nicholas Gisemba leading team members

 At this point we all agreed to stay and have our lunch. A few jokes were tossed among some groups here and there as we sat into four groups enjoying our meal. Later on we had fun games that everyone enjoyed, and each member also got an opportunity to practice their few learned photography skills by taking a few photos as requested by our teacher.

Club members having fun

Time flew so fast that we didn’t realize that it was time to start walking back down the six hills again.  This time it was more fun as we all knew we were going back to our starting point and not ahead to the seventh hill. This time round, we didn’t walk as a group as some of the members walked ahead with teacher Harriet while a few of us walked behind with teacher Thomas.

After all had assembled at the entry gate, we stole a few moments taking a group photo to remember our hike to Ngong Hills. Now the weather was getting a little bit chilly as we all waited for our matatu to come pick us back home. What a day well spent and I really enjoyed myself just like my other friends in our journalism club.

Group photo of the Journalism Club

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Jenipher Awuor, pictured here with Journalism Club Instructor Thomas Bwire, is a Form 2 (second year) high school student at Gigiri Lions Secondary School.  She is a member of the Uweza Journalism Club. 

Reading with a purpose

by Thomas Bwire

Schools have just closed for April holiday and the Uweza center is coming back to life from the day‘s silence. One can easily be mistaken that nothing much happens in the evening.  It’s just past 5 pm and one can easily hear murmurs in low tones from the adjacent classes within the court. I walk into one of the classrooms and I meet a few young students all glued to their books as they try to concentrate.

Though it’s a classroom set up, no one here is wearing any school uniforms. I quickly say hey and explain my mission of approaching them for a small interview this evening.

I am amazed by their self motivation.  Despite schools being on a holiday, a few of them are taking it a step further and creating their own time to come at our center and make use of our open space by revising, reading and also getting some educational assistance from their friends.

The first person I approach is Aisha Mohammed who recently joined high school.  She shared with me that her reason for coming at the center was because her new school requires students to undertake an exam on the next opening date and she doesn’t want to have any excuse for failing. "I want to refresh my mind so I don't forget learned topics when I sit for that exam on day one," she told me.

Aisha Mohammed

Second in line was Norah Atieno a class eight pupil at Ayany Primary school who informed me that she loves to keep herself busy so as she can remember what the teacher had taught them in school. “When I come here, I am able to avoid clashing with my mum who sometimes  give me additional house chores like washing the dishes that eat into my time when I want to study,” notes Norah.

For Everlyne Nzilani, also a class eight candidate at Ayany Primary, her major reason for coming to the center is to seek guidance from other friends and tutors who are always ready to assist her when she has difficulty with her school work. “You see I want to be a judge when am done with my education,” says Everlyne. Her advice to her peers is that they need to study hard, plan ahead and that nothing should stop anyone achieve their goals in life. Faith Jennifer, who aims to become a doctor, is happy to use the center as a safe space to study hard so as she can pass her exams.

From left: Class 8 students Norah Atieno, Everlyne Nzilani, and Faith Jennifer

An interaction with Stephen Odhiambo a form three (third year) high school student  gave me an insight into his thoughts that  he wants to pass his exams well and see his family out of the slum life one day. The last on my list was Alex Nyabuto, also a form three student.  He was happy to share with me his sentiments that being at the center takes him away from bad friends who can easily influence him into drugs and idleness that won’t be of any benefit to him.

From left: Form Three students Stephen Odhiambo, Alex Nyabuto, Peter Odhiambo

When all is said and done, the time to create a conducive future is now by investing time and energy into the books and the available space to gain valuable knowledge.

Uweza and Barclay’s Fun Day

by Thomas Bwire

Saturday 14th gave the Uweza soccer family the chance to gather together at the Toi primary school. Upon our arrival at midday, we found the coaches marking the soccer pitch in readiness for the final event slotted to take place in the afternoon.

The weather looked sunny, though we anticipated that the rains would surprise us in the afternoon as the dark clouds above the skies said it all. Time flew so fast that in no time the empty soccer pitch got filled up with kids from the soccer program. Part of the pitch was a white mounted tent and seats nicely arranged for the visitors whom we all anticipated anxiously.

Once everyone was assembled, the team coaches arranged their teams according to house colors so as to participate in the days activities meant to let all participants relax and have fun. The visitors did arrive on time and were warmly welcomed by Charles Kaindi, team manager of the soccer program and his assistant David Otieno.

Shortly after everyone got settled, each house team was asked to send two participants for the first sport of sack racing. The sport required participants to run towards the empty sacks and wear them as they jump back to the start line. Once all the participants were ready,”prrrrr” goes the whistle from Under-12 coach Joash Ngaira and indication for the first lot to run fast as lightening and pick their sacks and jump back. “Yes yes yes,” the crowd went wild as they cheered their favorite participants. Shirley Ann Den Houter of Barclays also gave her best she could during the sack race while art instructor Joseph Wanderi was tasked to record all teams’ scores that were to be reported at the end of all the activities.

 Next activity into the program was everyone’s favorite, the dancing competition, here the DJ had took charge by giving music of choice to the dancers selected to represent their houses. Upon receiving their cue to start the dance, all showcased what they are made of as all kind of dancing styles were showcased. This took a while and one of the Barclays staff George Wandera was the judge and was tasked to eject those not up to the audience standards. Some of the Barclays staff too did their jig alongside the kids. After several rounds we all had a winner who beat everyone. “And the winner is Mohamed Kilonzo” announced Team Manager Charles amid shouts of joy as “Moha” famously known by his peers carried him shoulder high praising him.

Last activity on the day’s program was the seven aside mini tournament that took 10 minutes of fulltime game and each team had 7 players. Time flew so fast as the games were interesting to watch. The teams had a mixture of players both male and female and not forgetting some of the Barclays staff present. The teams showed their prowess and they had to end at the penalty stage where the goals scored made the difference at the end of the day.



The grand time came when the Uweza Soccer Academy received generous donation of soccer balls, cones, a new pump, and first aid equipment for the soccer team to help them in their league and performance.

The task ahead is for our soccer teams to show what they are made of in their coming matches.

Handy photography tips

by Thomas Bwire

Last Sunday, the Uweza journalism club had an introductory photography session meant to give them new skills of being able to tell stories through the lens. The cold and chill weather did not deter some of my students who showed up for our Sunday routine class despite the heavy downpour just a few minutes before 2pm in the afternoon.

The lesson was interesting as I took the students present into understanding the basics of what a good photo entails. First they got to learn that all great pictures have something in common, they are well composed.

Some of the handy tips that were also shared included learning about framing a photo using the rule of thirds and to give a better understanding of what your photo is talking about.

And all in all some few practicals were applied by the present members on day one of their photography lesson.  Each participant had an opportunity to take a few photos of anything of their choice.

Here are some of their photos:

Club members Dorcas, Douglas, and Samuel

Club member Douglas Momanyi

Club member Samwel Samunya

Bananas trees outside the Uweza center

The session came to an end with a parting shot that, “a good picture is worth a thousand words.”  Check out for more updates and photos taken by some of the club members in our coming blogs.

Hard Work Pays

by Thomas Bwire

Meet Colonia Awino Okello, one of the active members of Kibera Agenda 4 Business Savings group. I had the privilege to pay her a visit at her stall in Olympic estate in Kibera on Thursday afternoon this week.

Upon my arrival at her stall, Colonia welcomed me with a hearty smile. She is outspoken and tells me that she was expecting me for the interview. I get to see the kind of items she sells at her stall, and from the look of things, it’s well stocked with different items ranging from school bags and scarfs to women's handbags, among other items.

In a short while, a male customer appears and I had to excuse myself so she can serve the customer’s need while I stole the few moments to take some photos.  The male customer had wanted to purchase one of the hats and in this case, several samples were given out for comparison. “The price ranges between Ksh.80 to Ksh. 100 and just choose the one you want and we can’t fail to agree on what is affordable for you,” noted Colonia.

Colonia attending to a customer

Colonia, aged 39 years, shared her success story after she joined Kibera Agenda two and a half years ago. Her passion to start business on her own started 18 years ago at age 21. She had savings that amounted for a period of 3 months where she was working as a cleaner in one of the organizations. After she left the cleaning job, her passion drove her to start a green grocery business where she sold vegetables at Toi market located in Kibera and this lasted 5 years. Later on she moved to selling teddy bears, caps, bags and school uniforms.

Some of the items Colonia sells

“How did you come to know about Kibera Agenda?” I posed the question to her. “I knew it through a friend.  I went and received my first loan amounting to Ksh.2.000, and you see I was only expected to repay it back by contributing Ksh.200 every Wednesday, and that worked for me”, says Colonia.

From there on, after repaying the first loan, I got another one of Ksh. 5.000  which I repaid with payments of Ksh.500 and the last loan I took was Ksh.10.000."  Business is not that bad, and in a normal day Colonia makes Ksh.1.500, but on bad days the much she can make amounts to Ksh.500. One challenging factor is that some of her friends always want to buy some of her stuff on debt, of which she finds it hard to give credit since some don’t want to repay back.

Colonia at her stall

On our closing remarks, Colonia informed that she is a single mother and has lived in Kibera for the last 20 years. She has 6 children of her own, the first borne child is 23 years. She also takes care of five orphaned children.

Exchanging Ideas

by Rebecca Musanya and Nicholas Gisemba

Sunday 25th March gave an opportunity for the Uweza journalism club to visit Children of Kibera, one of the non-governmental organizations situated in Olympic Estate, Kibera for an exchange joint program.  Upon our arrival in the afternoon, we were welcomed by one of the staff members, Prisca Mutemi . We waited for a few minutes before we got divided into two groups of boys and girls known as Lit World Club.

Together with the female members of our club, we were taken to one of the classrooms that had girls who were having their afternoon session. Today’s topic was about the seven pillars of a girl child.
The session was interesting as I got to learn that girl child, self, sisterhood, and hope are some of the pillars we need to have at all times as young people in the Kibera community since many challenges are encountered by girls. The need to be empowered with proper information is all it takes to help girls overcome temptations of getting themselves into un- healthy relationships and getting to know how to take care of oneself in cases of defilement.

Lit World Member gives insight into their sessions

 On their part we also had an opportunity to get to share what we do as a journalism club. Our meetings are every Sunday, and we do have news paper review sessions, a task to get one to know the kind of news happening around us and also globally. We also do verbal reporting of current news from Kibera so as everybody in the club gets to know what past news events took place in Kibera.
Later on we had a few fun game activities which I led and everyone enjoyed learning something new from each party.

Rebecca from Uweza teaching a fun game

 On the boy’s side, sessions too were held separate from the girls, under the care of a male teacher. The boys aged between ages 6 to 14 years were gathered outside and undertaking a simple task of writing what they were seeing. A few minutes later we all gathered in one of the empty classrooms and shared information about our journalism club as we also got to know what they do.

Uweza Journalism Club member shares his experience

One amazing story was from Kennedy Oluoch from Soweto Academy, a class seven pupil at Spurgeon Academy, he noted that he is assured of a meal every Sunday when he comes to Lit World Club.

The day came to an end with some food being served to us (Githeri) mixture of maize and beans.

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The authors of this story, Rebecca and Nicholas, are members of the Uweza Journalism Club.

 

Celebrating World TB Day

by Nicholas Gisemba

The world celebrates World Tuberculosis Day every year on March 24. It is a day to commemorate achievements undertaken in curbing the disease. Its origin was discovered in the year 1882 by Dr. Robert Koch, also a scientist when he discovered TB.

In Kibera, residents had the opportunity to come together to mark this important day as they started by a procession at the DC ground around 10am walking through sections of the slums carrying banners with TB messages. As they walked through parts of the slum, Baraka za Ibrahim Band did their jig and this pulled crowds to join in the procession.


Upon arrival at the Undugu grounds, several groups showcased plays that had clear messages on TB day, while others had a chance of showcasing their acrobatics skills.  The event was attended by local leaders, and some of the Non-Governmental Organiations (NGOs) that provide health care of services in Kibera, like AMREF, MSF Belgium and Center for disease control (CDC).  The chief guest was the area District Officer (D.O.) Joel Mwangala.

Kibera Hamlets showcasing their skills

In his speech, he urged residents to help fight TB. “This year we want to have zero deaths that are arising from TB because TB is curable, and also medical services are free at all government facilities, that’s why we are here today to help learn what we can do as a community,” noted Mwangala.
The D.O. also requested that people present help teach those who were not present on the day by passing information learned for empowerment.

District Officer Joel Mwangala giving his speech

Some of the TB patients had an opportunity to share their story in public like Lorna Akeyo Bonyo, a single mother.  “I was a TB patient recently and that is not good experience to undergo as I used to take medication on a daily basis for a period of three months.” Then she poses, “after three months I stopped taking medication simply because I thought I was healed, little did I know more was to come, I had to be subjected to be under medication care for 8 months instead of the initial 6 months.”  She urged residents to take medication without fail if one is under TB medication.

Lorna shares her experience with TB

TB is an infectious disease that spreads from one person to another when someone who is sick with TB coughs or sneezes. If another person breathes in the germs, they could get infected.TB can be fatal if not treated, but curable if the person is diagnosed early and takes full course treatment.

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The author of this piece, Nicholas Gisemba,  is 22 years old and a resident of Kibera.  He is a member of the Uweza Journalism Club.

Power of the Brush

by Thomas Bwire

Occasionally a walk through Kibera gives a unique opportunity to get to meet young people who are committed to a particular activity like washing cars, collecting garbage, engaging customers at a barber shop and many more.

This is not the only impression that all is well.  If you were a first time visitor, then you could easily see a larger group of young people hanging out in small groups, just chatting the whole day with nothing much to be done.

In today’s blog we feature Noor Ibrahim, aged 27 years, a young person from the Kibera community. He lives in Karanja village. I did meet him at the center this Wednesday on their routine painting sessions with art instructor Joseph Wanderi at the Uweza Center.

Noor Ibrahim

Uweza Art Instructor Joseph Wanderi

As I watch him paint one of the portraits of the Kenyan’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga from one of the local daily news papers, I found myself asking him one big question, “where did your motivation come from?”


Ibrahim tells me how his nurturing talent has come of age. "After finishing high school, I used to watch my big brother who was an artist paint stuff; he could paint portraits of people which in return got quick sells. I also loved to just give long glances at the GADO cartoons in a local newspaper. These cartoons had a clear message everyday and it depends how you interpret them,” notes Ibrahim. 

"Later on, I  moved a notch higher, where I got involved with the local schools, where I did face painting for kids during prize giving days.  Some of the teachers asked me to paint wild animals on manila papers as their a teaching aid tools for their pupils. This gave me some small income by the end of the day. I also attended the yearly international trade fair held in Nairobi, and did lot’s of face painting for kids who came to visit different exhibitions stands.”

Ibrahim shared that his greatest passion is to do painting of landscapes, as they express a sense of belonging and also how to tell how beautiful nature is.

One of Ibrahim's paintings

One of his major challenges comes from his peers who see painting as a waste of time, but this does not deter him from moving on as he hopes for a better today.  His parting words for me are “In five year’s time from now, I want to own an art studio here in Kibera and help teach other young kids with an interest in painting."

Reporting Local News

by Thomas Bwire

It’s a Sunday afternoon, and at the center is the Uweza journalism club undertaking their Sunday sessions. The turn-out is not that bad as majority of the members are here.

First things first, the session starts with getting to know each other, since we do have a few new  faces present today.  This is how it was done, two people paired together and asked their partners what their names are for a duration of 2 minutes then report back the person’s name to the whole members.  Later on, it was time for newspaper review where each member gets time to read through the day’s newspaper to get familiar with current news affairs both locally and internationally.

 Today’s session was one of the unique ones, as members present had an opportunity to report local news of the current events that had taken place in their community the past week.  The exercise required that they write down their story on piece of papers and read them aloud in front of the members.

When she stood up, Lydia Olendo reported a compelling story, that local Kibera residents were experiencing water shortage in Makina village which resulted in a high cost of this essential commodity. Long queues of women were seen as early as 4:00 a.m.  The water vendors had a field day as they hiked their prices from normal 3 shillings for a 10 liter jerrican to 10 shillings.

Lydia Olendo

Rebecca Musanga reported the on-going story about a fire that has now consumed trees worth 8 billion Kenyan Shillings on Mt.Kenya since last week.  Efforts are still being undertaken to contain it by regular administration police,  Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and volunteers whom have been reported to lack enough fire fighting equipments.

Rebecca Musanga

Boys too were not left out, as Nicholas Gisemba was able to report his story on a fire that gutted down some houses in Laini Saba area, one of the villages in Kibera. The cause of the fire was not yet established yet, and he promised that he would give us an update the coming week if any new development arises.

Nicholas Gisemba

 There you have it, day one of verbal reporting from the journalism club members, an exercise that is gradually giving them confidence in reporting local news from their community.

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."