Things learned in a matatu...

Random picture of a matatu in Kenya.

Yesterday, I caught a matatu into town for my meeting with Ernest. Anytime I have to catch a matatu there is always a lesson or two to be learned. For those who may not know, a matatu is a form of transportation which includes huge 25 passenger buses as well as these old modeled 10 and 14 passenger (what we Americans call) vans... or minibuses. And trust me some are very old and are years behind on emissions. We won't discuss that or their awful driving... But we will get into lessons learned on a matatu.

A few lessons I have learned along the way include:

Matatu decked out with some Obama flare.

1. The sign may say it is a 14 passenger van, but there will be at least 18 passengers and a baby. Now that is uncomfortable.
2. The music may be great, loud, and fun to listen to.. but do not miss your stop, else you can walk quite a distance to your destination.. in the dark.. in uncomfortable shoes... not a good look. 
3. It may take hours to get to your destination, though it is 5 km away. 
4. You may have to get comfortable with people's body parts. My shoulder has been used many times as a seat itself. Yes... and eww.
5. You may have to hold a stranger's baby. I love babies, I do, but that can be quite hard. I mean babies cry, poop, fidget... poop. It can be difficult. But that is the Kenyan way.

Yesterday's lesson was just that. Though I did not have to carry any babies, I have before.  And as I watched a woman place her baby in another woman's lap, I was reminded of just how generous of an act that can be. The woman could not hold her own baby because the matatu conductor insisted that she not use up too many seats... and she was travelling with a huge box, which she also had to carry. Either way, I guess I can say it was a lesson for me all the same. A simple act of kindness and generosity. There are so many things that one can learn in a matatu, good and bad. And sometimes the experience may overwhelm, especially for beginners. Though I still find myself overwhelmed at times.

So I think I will continue to tally up the list of all the lessons learned in a matatu. Who knows one day, maybe I can write a book.

Cheers, and Happy Good Friday ya'll!!!

Pictured below is an old picture of me and some friends in front of a matatu named Chris Brown.
Oh yes, they have names!

Youth Development

Today, I had a meeting with Ernest Nyagi, journalist  consultant and youth development leader from Nairobi. We met downtown  where I had an interesting matatu ride... but that's a whole 'nother blog post altogether. We had a very nice meeting I must say discussing our organizations and just getting to know the other to find the best way in which we could work together toward the same cause: the youth!

It was great to hear about what he does and his passion and drive for the youth as well as share my ideas and goals for youth development in Nairobi. It was very helpful discussing the goals and objectives of the organization and because of that I will be doing a review and adjustment to my results matrix according to what we discussed. I can definitely add more objectives and activities that align with them. It is important to note that the Kenyan context must be considered when coming up with activities... and Ernest is here to help just with that. Some ideas we have added thus far include a discussion with Kenyan youth in the school, and a visit to slums in Nairobi. The latter activity, I had always been a bit weary of, but because of my objectives being and increased worldview for the students, it is important that the students be exposed to how people live in different parts of the world.
We  will meet again in two weeks to review the changes to the results matrix. 

Our plan is to work together for the benefit of the youth. He will assist with helping TWO Hands to grow and I have also committed to volunteering with his group as well. Finally, and one important note is that Ernest has offered that I participate in a few of his trainings so that I may get practical and structural knowledge of working with the youth.  And we will be able to work with one of his youth leaders to serve as a youth leader for the TWO Hands summer program as well. I believe that is also a great partnership item as well. This collaboration promises to be wonderful and exciting. I guess for anything to be official we may need to draw up some paperwork. But we will see how things go in the near future. Our next meeting is in two weeks. 

Some little inspiration...

Blogging has its purpose...(s)

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to take the time out to reiterate or basically state the purpose of this blog. While I am documenting my progress toward starting a non-profit organization, TWO Hands International, Inc., the blog also consists of a variety of extras including my everyday life, and some other things.. The blog's target audience is... virtually everyone. So I want to share a glimpse of myself with the world... since it is ours, you know. Nevertheless, the blog's purpose is five fold:

1. Fun documentation of my non profit start up, TWO Hands International, Inc.
2. Shares some day to day life experiences for those who may want to see want life is like in a country other than the U.S. (In the past I have received many questions from former classmates and friends asking about life abroad. The blog offers a peak into that world. Many times you will find it all the same.) I also have guest contributors to share their experiences as well... both work related and simply interesting or fun.
3. Offers some advice about professional development... since I am still developing a professional identity myself, why not share it with you guys as well.
4. Practice with communications and general social networking
5. Fun, Fun, Fun!!!  

With that being said,

Let's just continue reading. It's a blogventure!!

Tonja

ARK Africa Meeting- Marketing and Branding

Tuesday, March 26, 2013, the day I had been waiting for finally arrived... Branding!!! 

The meeting with ARK Africa went on as planned and very well I might add.  I met with Makumi Wanjohi, ARK's awesome brand strategist, to discuss the components that would be included in our marketing strategy and overall brand. This guy is pretty busy so it was definitely a challenge to get into his schedule, but I truly appreciate the time he took with me to go over all the things I would need for the brand. The meeting set up the foundation for what we will be able to do in the future. And I fore see several more meetings in the future to get everything sorted and underway. But TWO Hands is on it's way, ya'll. As soon as the marketing strategy and brand identity is complete we will be ready to lobby for our board and begin marketing the organization to get some serious donor funds... Everything is going well and according to schedule, so hooray for that!

If you guys have any ideas or suggestions for the brand, please feel free to comment. Perhaps we can do a vote on colors... that one's got me pretty stumped, lol!

Anyhow. The marketing and branding of TWO Hands is underway. Get excited!!

Team BONK finishes the ABSA Cape Epic

Congratulations to Team BONK for finishing the Cape Epic. How exciting!!!

The Cape Epic is full service mountain bike race, the largest in the world. Racers must race in a team of two over the course of 8 days through the challenging and "unspoiled" nature of the Western Cape of South Africa. Cyclist climb approximately 15,000m high through more than 800km. These guys finished in 44 hours!

Imagine just how challenging it must be... cycling through the untamed African terrain... for 44 hours! It is not only a test of strength but a test of willpower. That is truly epic. These guys inspire me to do great things.

Congratulations Tris and Fady. I may just pick up a bike and attempt to conquer the Kenyan terrain. We shall see. Keep up the greatness!

http://www.cape-epic.com/live/


Bonk is kind supporter of TWO Hands International, Inc. and the work we do. 
We are happy to show our support in every way. Congratulations!

How Your Nonprofit Should Be Using Content to Emphasize Donor Impact

Here's an article I found about enhancing donor impact. It is very important to seek out and maintain good donor relations, but I believe people find it difficult to become creative when it comes to this. I know from personal experience. I can't wait to get to this point in the organization's development just so that I can use some of these tips.

Take a look:

1. Tell personal stories through video
2. Share stories on your blog
3. Tie donor actions to numbers
4. Send nurturing emails
5. Revamp your Annual Report

Link Below

http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/34264/How-Your-Nonprofit-Should-Be-Using-Content-to-Emphasize-Donor-Impact.aspx

Things Fall Apart...

I can remember reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe in the Mrs. Eisel's 10th grade AP English class. I was excited because it was the first book we'd be reading with a little "culture", a nice change from the stale storylines of the Scarlet Letter and Les Mis, however interesting they may have been. At least, that was how I felt at the time, mostly in excitement that we would be reading a book about Africa! And anyone who knows me and knew me then, knows my exaggerated interest in all things Africa.

What impressed me most about the book outside of learning about the Igbo culture, was the criticism it offered of the "the white man" (missionary/colonialists) present in the area. It was simple, but its something not often or accurately discussed in today's time. This occurrence of missionaries and the Bible then being used as a tool to tame the evil African mind is a point in Africa's history which still gives me great discomfort. This finding meant something even more for me being of African descent in America and one of few blacks in a predominantly white classroom. For the novel to show this new perspective on what history had previously and incorrectly assured us, including the showing of wealth, power, and an uninhibited display of the ideologies of the Igbo people was very nice to see and I enjoyed it.

What I did not appreciate from the story, however, was the ending...  perhaps the general direction the storyline. But that was from an entertainment perspective. Once the narrative began going south for Okonkwo, I couldn't hang. I wanted him to win so badly. I identified with him and all his complexities. I wanted him to win not only because he needed to win, but because I also needed to win. You know how that goes.

Perhaps I identified too much with the characters in the novel for obvious reasons. Perhaps I wanted more out of the book, than necessary. The point however was there from the beginning... things fall apart.  And boy did things fall apart. I just wanted to say that.

This is in no way a literary critique of the book, Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe. Only my memories from a time ago... Wow has it really been 10 years since I was in high school. Incredible.

This post is related to the recent passing of Chinua Achebe, who died in Boston at the age of 82. 

Game Night

Its Game Night...

(or as the British would say, Games Night) ...and the best thing these kids could do was play with the refrigerator.


You know the game where you make sentences with word magnets.

The winning sentence(s):

1. Geek world do crash though while dragon byte flame...

2. Set about an intelligent access and share his utility. 

Though all the sentences were pretty great. We also played mafia and taboo.

 It was loads of fun!

Awesome Saturday Night! Thanks guys!

Update

Hello All,

Just wanted to let all supporters know that the quarterly progress report is complete. Please comment here or email me if you would like to receive a copy.

In other news, we are preparing to meet with the marketing team at ARK Africa on Monday to devise a marketing strategy that is out of this world. I just wanted to say that. It will be within this world and special nonetheless. Please stay tuned to see the what we come up with. I am so excited!

Danse Danse!!!

Asante Sana!

Tonja Khabir
Founder and Executive Director
TWO Hands International Inc., 

Gilman International Scholarship Partners with Shawn Carter Foundation

The Shawn Carter Foundation, established by Shawn Carter (JAY Z) and his mother, Gloria Carter, has a mission is to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education at institutions of higher learning. They have collaborated with the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, a program which supports the State Department’s goal of expanding opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds to study abroad and builds on the foundation’s efforts to broaden the horizons of its scholars.

Congratulations to the scholarship winners who will participating in semester abroad programs Spring 2013!!!

Read more by clicking the link below:
Gilman International Scholarship Partners with Shawn Carter Foundation

The World they Knew

I came across this documentary trailer through a group on facebook. Excited to see someone else with a similar passion and motivation to encourage our youth, I couldn't wait to share this. The founder of Women Empowering Nations, Carlisha Williams, is an 8th grade math teacher and will travel this summer with a group of her students from North Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The students will participate in the Girls Leading Our World Travel Seminar and Leadership Conference hosted by the organization. Their travels include Casa Blanca, Morocco and Banjul, Gambia to explore North and West African cultures, tour historic sites, and participate in a girls’ leadership conference with local Gambian girls. The conference will include sessions on education, social and economic justice, and global women’s empowerment.

Its so wonderful to see this especially given the criticism that I have received in creating a similar opportunity. "How do you know that 'our' kids are mature enough to leave home to spend the summer in Africa." One critique in particular is about to be proved wrong when these middle schoolers take a journey of a lifetime this summer. I commend Carlisha, and trust and pray that the students  will have a magnificent time and learn alot.

Women Empowering Nations (WEN) is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of girls and women through self-esteem development, educational, and leadership outreach programs.

Please view and support!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-they-knew-a-documentary

Updating the mission...

I have taken a few stabs at revising the mission, vision and goals of the organization after updating the business plan. 

Here is a sneak peak:

Mission

To build global leaders by empowering underrepresented youth through international education and community service. 

Vision

To inspire underrepresented youth toward global leadership and community service. 

Goal

To provide increased opportunities for underrepresented youth to engage in international education through community service. 


Let us know what you think!

Awaiting the election results...

Despite what the world might have expected... I have to say.. Kenya may be alright. Okay it is too soon for anyone to say regarding the elections, but for many life has already moved on. On Monday, the unity that was displayed through the land seemed to overwhelm and even surprise everyday citizens.  I kept hearing conversations about the kindness of people towards one another. Kenyans of every clan and even ethnic background were sharing the voting lines quite peacefully despite tribes and political affiliation.

In one incident, a black Kenyan man (for lack of stronger explanation) became very moved by the fact that he (along with everyone) had been waiting in line for several hours. He began making noise at one of the election officials, saying... "Why can't you hurry this along?"
An Indian-Kenyan man then said, "Hey, we have all been here since 6 AM, and this official, I'm sure, had to get here before us. He probably hasn't even eaten." The Indian-Kenyan man quickly regretted opening his mouth out of fear of unwanted chaos and retaliation. But then people in the line began to agree with him,  almost in unison, shouting, "Yeah, leave the man alone. It's not his fault we have to wait in line. Leave the man alone." The crowd quickly regained composure as the black Kenyan man backed off. And everyone continued to vote in peace.

The lines were extremely long and I mean by miles. I wish I could say that I saw this with my own eyes.. but... yeah, I did not even leave the house.

I did however have a long discussion on Wednesday with Rose, who cleans our house about how happy she was to have voted on election day. As we watched the news and waited for the results.. which by they way never came... I picked up a few Kiswahili words.

Its been four days since the country declared it's voice and ... still no results. The people are getting anxious.. in a happy and excited way. It could legally take up to seven days.. to count up the results. But I believe everyone will continue to wait patiently. The World is watching Kenya. But soon enough Kenya will be watching the world... Okay, I have to stop watching Al Jazeera.

...will it be Odinga, current Prime Minister... or Kenyatta, son of the nation's first president, and who, I must add is... well.. charged with crimes against humanity for his role in the 2007-2008 post election violence. We are talking about the Hague here. ICC (International Criminal Court). That is quite scary... though I must say, for whatever reason Odinga, who also ran for president against Mwai Kibaki in that election is suspected for similar crimes... only doesn't face any charges... who knows.

From what I can say, lines were long... (in the grocery store prior to elections) and on the day of. And though the election technology is something out of an elementary school ballot box... I am sure people were quite excited to get their colorful ballots in to decide where this country... the wealthiest in East Africa.. is headed.

I'm your girl, Tonja Khabir. Join us for the next news cycle. You're watching T-W-O.. live.

Til next time!

Kwa heri!

Google Doodle Kenya

Recognizing the elections today in Kenya, google has created this cute little doodle. It is pretty cool!

B&W everybody!

Blankets and Wine... everybody!!!

This monthly is event is possibly my favorite happening in Nairobi... mostly because it reminds me of summertime in Atlanta.. the music festivals and picnics in the park. I love it!

Yesterday's Blankets and Wine extravaganza was especially important because today is Kenya's first election since the renowned chaos of 2007-2008. Given the situation of post election violence in that last term, many Kenyans.. and people in general, are pretty weary of what Kenya's future might hold.

So the Blankets and Wine event to be held the day before the election was not advised...

We went anyway. And it was a lot of fun. Just A Band performed and everything turned out great. Guess who I met...

The famously entertaining, Eric Omondi. Kenyan Comedian and joke master.

I'd like to say we bonded over our Kenyan American love. Check it out!!!