Dancing Magic

Story by Jenipher Awour

Photos by Sharon Akinyi

It’s  a Monday afternoon on the 20th of August  and I am at the Gifted Hands school compound in Kibera.  Here one can hear the sounds of drum beats coming from one of the classrooms.  This is the place where all the action is taking place this afternoon as kids participating in Uweza's new Dancing Club are practice their skills.

Preparing to dance

Uweza tutors Teacher Harriet and Teacher Apondi were here too. I did get to meet them and inquire their reason of being present, yet their tutorial program had taken some rest for this school holiday. “You see most of the kids were inspired when they heard we have dancing program slotted for this August holiday, and the majority will report earlier than even the expected time,” says Teacher Apondi.

The traditional dancing sessions are aimed to give kids with talents an opportunity to gain confidence. "You never know, perhaps we might end up with good dancers who can perform at bigger events," added Teacher Harriet.

Teacher Harriet plays the drums

In a short while I was also able to meet Fabian Owino and Anthony Juma, members of a local music group called Nairobi Drums, whom have been given the opportunity by Uweza to train dancing skills to youth from Kibera. According to Fabian Owino, their interactions with the kids  have helped them identify skills in some of them. “Already we have seen some of the kids who are fast learners while some are still learning gradually by watching others. That is normal and am sure with time they will get to be on the same level,” noted Fabian.

Students receive instructions from dancing teacher Fabian

Mr. William Moi, Uweza Country Director, told me that the aim of this program was to give kids some break from the normal school routine that is always packed with school homework and remedial classes. Jen Sapitro, Managing Director, was also present and added her sentiments that she had passed by to come and see how the sessions were going. "We have paid to rent the premises of the school since they have ample space that can accommodate all kids interested in dancing."

To conclude, I also got sentiments of some of the kids who had showed up today. Monica says she wants to nurture her talent in dancing while Quinter on the other hand notes that besides school work coming to the dancing group will refresh her mindsand also offer an opportunity to get to relax.

View a short video clip of the Dancing Club practicing for an upcoming peformance at Uweza Soccer Academy's Prizegiving ceremony here:

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The authors of this story, Jennifer and Sharon, are members of the Uweza Journalism Club.

Do you know your media?

by Rebecca Musanga and Dorcas Kirwai

Have you ever asked yourself how the news and different programs we see on TV or listen to on radio are produced? Well, people say that curiosity killed the cat but we as the Uweza Journalism Club members add to it by saying that satisfaction brought it back. On Friday 17th August 2012, we got a chance to visit Citizen TV and radio station that is under Royal Media Services. Accompanying us was Sponsorship Coordinator Mathew Muema.

Club members Lydiah and Fauzia

Unexpected drizzles kicked off the day but that did not stop our mission at all. On arrival, we were directed to a restaurant to wait for our ‘tour guide’. Everyone was a bit nervous as some shivered in the cold but nevertheless, she finally came.

Club members Nicholas and Jenipher

Before we were allowed in, we had to clean our shoes since it was muddy and hand over our cameras since we were not allowed to have them. Our tour guide, who introduced herself as Eunice, took us through the different stations as we asked her many questions.

Royal Media Services has one TV station and a total of 14 radio stations including: Bahari FM, Ramogi FM, Radio Citizen and the latest one being Radio Maa. These radio stations broadcast in different languages to reach out to as many people in Kenya.  We got a chance to meet Davis Mwambili also famously known as Mwala and Jackie famously known as Wilbroda who were also radio presenters and actors too.

Group photo

70% of citizen programs are locally produced in Kenya while the other 30% are from other countries. In the news studio, we were shown different machines used in broadcasting news e.g. the galary vision which deals with pictures to bring videos on air, master play button, a device formatted by graphics, (VTR) Video Transmission Recorder that captures motion pictures using tapes, Vision mixer which selects pictures responding to stories the news anchor reads. Indeed knowledge is power.

Lydiah, Everlyne, and Sharon enjoying their lunch

After the tour, we went to a restaurant in town where we quenched our hunger and thirst, took photos and journeyed back to Uweza Foundation Centre. If it was not a fabulous day, what else can we call it? Thanks to our journalism tutor Thomas for facilitating our media visit as a journalism club that has given us a different perspective into media operations.

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

Uniting Kibera through Soccer

by Jen Sapitro

On Sunday August 19th, I paid a visit to Toi Primary to watch the Uweza Kibra league in action. The league, which brings together soccer clubs from throughout Kibera to compete in matches every Sunday at Toi Primary School, is now in it's eighth month after kicking off in January 2012 .  Uweza hosts and manages the league and provides the field, goal posts, balls, and referees.

According to League Coordinator and Uweza Under-12 coach Joash Ngaira, the league was initiated to enhance competition among young soccer players in Kibera.  Normally, players in Kibera are only able to participate in tournaments during school holidays and the league gives them the rare chance to play in competitive matches on a weekly basis.

Kibera Mtaani Girls play against Brothers FC Under-12

Players from seven different soccer clubs are currently participating in the first edition of the league.  Joash Ngaira says that the first edition was intended as a pilot project to see if there would be interest and participation among Kibera clubs.   So far, the league has been a success and there are plans to expand it's reach in the second edition, which will begin in January 2013.

Marren U-12 vs. Villa U-10

Uweza Team Manager Charles Kaindi hopes to recruit nine more clubs next year to bring the total participation to 16 Kibera clubs. A Junior League will also be started for Under-8 teams, who have been getting the occasional chance to play in the league but rarely participate in tournaments or friendly matches due to their young age.

Uweza U-8 vs KiMMta U-8 in action

To motivate the players, teams will be asked to contribute to a participation fee that will be used to make management of the league more professional and to purchase certificates, trophies, and medals to award the winners.

Uweza Team Manager Charles Kaindi adds that the league was intended to unite players, coaches, and Team Managers from throughout Kibera to improve the quality of soccer in the slum. As the league continues to grow, Uweza hopes to select players to participate in a Kibera United youth team that will represent the best in Kibera soccer in tournaments throughout Kenya and East Africa.

Some of the Uweza Kibra League players and coaches

 Final results for Sunday 19th August, 2012:

Barclays Africa (Uweza U-12) vs Brazaville (Uweza U-10) : 4-1                               
Marren U-12 vs Villa U-10 : 3-1                                              
Brothers U-12 vs KiMMta Girls: 2-0                  
Uweza Girls vs New Stars (Brothers FC) : 1-0          
Uweza U-8 vs KiMMta U-8 : 3-0            
Brothers U-8 vs Marren U-8 :1-0
Slum Soccer U-10 vs. New Stars (Brothers FC): 0-6
Slum Soccer U-12 vs. Black Stars: 2-0             

For league standings, check out: www.uweza.org/soccer/kibraleague.html. 

If you are a Kibera soccer club interested in participating in the next edition of the league, contact us at 0714371964 or uwezakenya@gmail.com.

Learning Power

by Rebecca Musanga, Phenny Nyanchama,  Jenipher Awuor, Aisha Mohamed and Ruth Ijaika

As the Bible phrases,”My people perish because they lack knowledge.” It was a knowledgeable day at Uweza Foundation Center at 4.00pm where the senior Uweza journalism club members were learning more about WordPress.com and how one can start a free blog page to post information relevant to  people they are targeting. This exercise was conducted by Mr. Thomas Bwire, our journalism trainer.

As we start our August holiday break from our normal school routine, we could not wait to join our other journalism members and get to catch up with them on how they have been doing. For some of us who have been in boarding schools, it is another opportunity to learn new skills for the journalism career in our later years.

Back to our lesson of the day, Mr. Thomas took us through the initial steps  of setting up a blog page using WordPress.com for free. The site allows one to post stories of one’s choice that can be read globally. We learned some insights on how we can write a new blog, how to preview, publish, link a story to any given blog and even edit our own blog stories.


Mr. Thomas also visited some other blogs to help us understand the different formats of how we can post our blog stories and also insert any accompanied pictures. As we were busy trying to come up with different ideas, our junior members were sharing the latest stories they encountered or witnessed during the week. As they were still discussing, Mr. Thomas came in to assist them so that they may finalize on our upcoming media  first ever visit  this coming week to Royal Media Services, one of the local broadcasting media houses with Television and Radio.

After the learning session, we went through the previous blogs that were posted by some of our members and got more ideas on how to write interesting stories.  We all look forward to start writing our own blogs and in the coming weeks.

After a long afternoon, we were treated to a cup of porridge, known as uji in Swahili, as we assembled together so as to share more about the visit and also the next meeting.

This is our first ever blog piece written by five people and we are happy that you read it and got to know the kind of skills we are gaining gradually.

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Rebecca, Phenny,  Jenipher, Aisha and Ruth are members of the Uweza Journalism Club.  They will be starting their own blog in the coming weeks so stay tuned!

Press conference in Kibera

by Thomas Bwire

The weather is cool today and in the outdoor courtyard of the Uweza center, journalism club members are having their session.  Seated on the brown benches and listening attentively are some of the members as they watch representatives of their groups engaging in a press conference exercise.

Today's session includes 32 participants. As part of their learning experience, the session is aimed at enhancing their skills as journalists in the near future and providing an example of what they can undergo should they find themselves in a media press conference.

Journalism Instructor Thomas gives instructions to a team of reporters

First they got to know what a press conference is: press conference is a media event in which news makers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions depending on the topic at hand.

Our press conference was held by club members acting as researchers.  Club members were divided into groups acting as journalists and each group chose representatives tasked with asking questions. The exercise required maximum participation for each group to earn points. The researchers played the role of explaining in detail their research findings on a controversial topic at hand touching on the social aspect of life. This topic was: “Annoying habits that women dislike in men.”

The press conference set up

Prior to the exercise, everyone had an opportunity to read through newspaper cuttings on the topic and get an idea of what the press conference was all about. Once this was accomplished in 20 minutes, each reporter armed questions challenged the researchers to explain their point of view.  The exercise turned out to be like a real media event as some of the reporters proved their interview skills as they kept questions coming on board.

A team of reporters follows through the presentations

Strong points emerging from the press conference were some of the major reasons women don’t like in men like heavy drinking and abandoning children, among many other issues. It was truly an eye opener as all the students had a hands on experience at the end of the session on what it takes to prepare for a press conference, should they find themselves in such a situation.

Champions for an HIV-Free Generation

by Thomas Bwire

The Kibera community today played a key role in hosting key former African Presidents from three African countries, who caught the attention of the locals upon their arrivals at KICOSHEP Primary School in Kichinjio village. Today their mission was not just to come and see the slum, but as champions for a HIV–free generation.

 His Excellency Kenneth Kaunda, former head of state of  Zambia, His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa, former head of state of Tanzania,His Excellency Festus Mogae, former head of state of Botswana, Zambia and Professor Miriam Were

His Excellency Festus Mogae, former head of state of Botswana, His Excellency Kenneth Kaunda, former head of state of Zambia and His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa, former head of state of Tanzania and Professor Miriam Were drew the attention of the locals here upon their arrival.  His Excellency Festus Mogae had the opportunity to inspect the guard of honour mounted by the scouts of the school who stood neatly dressed in their scout’s uniform.

Guard of honor

AIDS represents one of the greatest leadership challenges of our time. Champions for an HIV Free Generation, a group of former African presidents and other influential personalities, have agreed to meet this challenge by advocating for a renewed and revitalized response from regional leaders, with a focus on proven HIV prevention measures in countries they visit.

KICOSHEP is one of the founders of HIV/AIDS support care in Kibera as it works with persons living with HIV virus and aims to ensure they receive good care despite their status.  According to the Executive Director of KICOSHEP, Dr. Anne Owiti Awour, their aim is to help the community fight against stigma and discrimination which is a major contributing factor among people living positively especially in informal settlements.

His Excellency Festus Mogae, Chair of Champions for an HIV Free Generation

Present guests were also treated to an entertainment, from Kibera children dressed in lessos.  In his address speech, His Excellency Festus Mogae and also the chair of the group noted that they were here as they visit African countries to plead with African leaders to give priority to HIV/AIDS in their budgetary allocations to help its citizens who are engaged in helping all those who are sick and orphaned.

Entertainment provided by Kibera youth

Their core mission is to lobby political leadership of the African countries, in fighting stigma and spreading treatment and care, especially giving a priority to community health workers in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

His closing remarks ended with a call, “please to our African leaders, please do more in helping our people overcome HIV/AIDS and together in the whole world we can and together as Kenyans we can.”

Discipline counts in what you do in life

She is busy and very keen when with the girls on the pitch as she gives instructions during her soccer training. As a female coach, she has the determination to nurture talent among the Uweza girls soccer teams.

Meet Coach Joyce Khoyi who has come a long way in matters of soccer on the pitch. Just last month she was selected to be the Team Manager for a girls team representing Nairobi Province in the nationwide Copa Coca Cola tournament. She had the privilege of travelling to the coastal region and leading the team against girls teams from throughout Kenya. Two of the soccer girls from Uweza Foundation were also selected to travel with her to Mombasa to represent Nairobi province. Though they lost to Mombasa province in the finals of the tournament, this did not deter them from keeping their focus.

Coach Joyce leads all age categories of girls teams for Uweza

How has she found herself in love with the ball on the pitch? Her inspiration was realized from her father who was a strong soccer player with one of the local clubs. She used to escort her father to matches, and noticed that most of the coaches were male and kept thinking to herself whether one day she can also make a name as a female coach in the country. Her love with the ball started when she worked as a coach volunteer an organization known as Vepa in Dagoretti.  Here she stayed for a period of 4 months before being taken for a course to gain more skills as a coach. There on she formed her own girl’s soccer team in the Dagoretti area.

Besides coaching, Coach Joyce also participates as a coordinator and in involved in coordinating senior teams within Dagoretti.  During our interview I did pose a question to her, “how she came about to join Uweza Foundation?”   “I joined Uweza last year in April 2011 and got myself a chance to train girls under 16 years of age,” she notes. One outstanding thing I noticed during her training session is that she starts with prayers, before anything else.

Joyce leading the girls in a prayer

“I want to empower girls and besides coaching them on how to play soccer, I also incorporate life skills in my coaching. Life in Kibera can be very challenging and there are many challenges that girls do face and if they cannot get someone they can trust to guide them right, then they will really struggle in life,” says Coach Joyce.

Instructing the girls

Her advice to girls, “discipline counts above anything else, do not be cheated because of your talent, and end up wasting your God given talents, have an objective in life and be principled in whatever you do, and remember to always thank God for your being alive.”

Road to Success

by Nicholas Gisemba

Dennis Odhiambo is a slum born guy who has been brought up in Kibera slums his whole life. The 19 year-old joined Uweza Football Club three years ago. Uweza Foundation is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) that supports youth and young children by creating and nurturing talents as early as possible. Examples of programs running in the organization include Journalism Club, Art Club, Soccer Club and lastly Tuition for both Primary and Secondary Students.

Dennis Odhiambo, Uweza senior team Captain

Today, I am interviewing Dennis about his experience as the Captain of Uweza FC, the senior team of uweza Soccer Academy. Life was not good for Dennis as he was growing up.  Things changed for him when he landed in the hands of Uweza Foundation. “In the second year after I joined Uweza FC, I was chosen as team captain due to my availability and contributions to the team. Being a captain is not an easy job,” he adds.   “I have to make sure that everything is in good order, which something that I was not used to. But now I am a responsible person not only on the team but also at home.”

Dennis talks with Nicholas Gisemba, Uweza Journalism Club member

Uweza FC plays in the FKF (Football Kenya Federation) Nairobi County League where the club is position 10 out of 20 teams in the league in their first year of participation. The team is provided with everything, so the players are divided into groups to wash the jerseys and boots after their matches.  Dennis organizes the washing every week. Beside the Nairobi County League, the team also participates in friendly matches and tournaments such as the upcoming East Africa Tournament. The team contains more than 20 players and 17 of the players are high school students.

“It is normally said that an idle mind is a workshop of the devil and the Soccer Academy was created to prevent idleness among youth in the Kibera community who might otherwise engage themselves with bad company or abuse of drugs and waste their lives at young age,” concluded the Captain.

Well, a winner never quits while a quitter never wins. Dennis promises that he will not stand to see his dream vanish like smoke in the air without any success.  In the future, he wants to see himself perhaps in the national team or another recognized team so that he can create vacancies and opportunity at Uweza FC for other young stars like himself.

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The author of this story, Nicholas Gisemba, is 22 years old and a member of the Uweza Journalism Club.

Previous stories by Nicholas:

Uweza FC vs. Githurai United
Celebrating World TB Day

Determined to Excel

by Thomas Bwire

He is just 13 years of age and one can easily think that his paintings are done by an adult. This is not the case, meet the self spoken Wesley Osoro. His seriousness shows all over his face that he’s a young person determined to see that he excels in what he does. Being a member of Uweza Art Club, he never misses classes on Saturday, when not attending school.

Wesley with one of his completed paintings

A first born child in a family of 2 brothers and a sister, he shares with me his sentiments that his passion with the paint brush started while he was 5 years old. “I used to see photos in salons and shops whenever I walked around the neighborhoods. Slowly by slowly I then started small by drawing some houses, cars, and anything that came to my mind,” says Wesley as he works on his most recent painting.

Working on his most recent painting

I take a few minutes to just sit back and watch as his hands move on the painting he’s currently working on of a landscape. The landscape image is taking good shape and one can clearly see the background full of clouds and standing hills neatly done. To find out why Wesley loves painting landscapes, I pose the question to him. “They look nice and are easy to draw,” is his response.

According to his art instructor Joseph Wanderi, Wesley is a boy who has the greatest passion in what he does. “Art is in him, and he’s born artist I must say,” Joseph tells me.  “I am now looking at how I can introduce him to an advanced stage of painting on a canvas which will be more professional and his work can now be showcased in bigger exhibitions to market him out there.”

 

Besides painting, Wesley also plays soccer on the Uweza team. Before parting ways, he tells me that his parents are very supportive of what he does and that is what makes him have the heart to excel in the near future.

Do you know where to get news?

by Thomas Bwire

Having to learn about journalism in a classroom set up might be boring, as it involves a teacher standing in front of a class and lecturing the students. This time, I wanted it to be the other way around, having my students become the teachers themselves.

Well to start off the day’s session was our weekly editorial session, which lets everyone read one news story from the national newspapers then later on share it with team members.  This didn’t take long and everyone had an opportunity to share their stories which helps in getting to know a new story from the other sources. Upon finishing the first task, I divided the participants into groups and asked them to brainstorm a list of the sources of news.

"What should we write?"

Working in groups of was very interesting as the groups were comprised of people students had never before interacted with on a day to day basis, which gave the lesson a wider dimension of having to cope with new ideas and suggestions.  Once in their respective groups, the ongoing debate was also very interesting as each team put down to paper their ideas, some put stronger suggestions as others noted points written.

"Let's put our most interesting points here"

 A test of time came during their presentations as the best team was going to be rewarded for the following: clear points, good handwriting and well presented facts. The activity spurred lively discussions and debates and ended with the most convincing group winning sweets. Students were encouraged to challenge each other and ask questions. I was amazed at how knowledgeable the students were as all stronger points came from them knowing where we can get news from.

Listening to presentations and thinking of counterpoints

 A secret vote for the best presentation had to be carried out to determine the winner of the day. The winner with the many votes happened to be represented by team members of Group 2 led by Jenipher Awour. “Yeeeees we did it!” shouted group 2 team members as they all got a sweet as a way of motivating them in their presentations.

Jenipher Awuor, leader of the winning group, presents their findings

With that, the day was over as we all went back home knowing that we can all get news from our community elders, government ministers, church leaders, special occasions such as weddings, managing directors, sports events,  and many more areas.