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.