Final day of Raw

Final day of Raw and I am craving... Mac and Cheese.


Dear God,

Help me make it to tomorrow.

Sincerely yours,
Tonja

Full Moon Sister Circle

Yesterday evening we had a total girls night. I joined Hilary, Toyin, Carrie and even Rafael in Lavington for some serious girl fun. We got full body massages with Eva, who I must say is excellent with her hands. We exfoliated with a homemade Avocado and honey mask and a natural castor oil face wash. We scrubbed our hands and feet with a honey and sugar scrub, and then of course painted our nails in the vibrant colors of the season. We topped the night off with a little girl talk. No male bashing, I promise. The full moon sister circle was very relaxing. I truly enjoyed it. Can't wait to do it again!

Raw... Day 4

As for raw... I'm hanging in there. On day 2, I broke down about how I really needed some chicken in my life. And yesterday, I just wanted a fresh baked croissant. I know sad. But I pushed through and now I am almost done with day 4. Tonight I will join a sister circle and maybe do some Bikram Yoga over the weekend. At the end of the challenge a friend and I will go hiking. It will all be sort a culmination of the health experience. Way to go... thus far!!!

< Insert chicken and croissant meme here >

Youth Alive

Yesterday, I had a meeting with Youth Alive! Kenya to determine the potential for partnership with the organization. They have several different areas of focus including health, democracy and governance, environmental justice, and  human rights. It seems like a good opportunity for partnership but I am concerned about the level of impact that the youth can have in these types of programs. I am looking for something perhaps in education or working with other youth. This calls for a re-strategizing. I need to focus on what impact I want from the youth and see if that will give us any leads on finding a partnership or host site. It has all been a bit challenging, so hopefully we will be able to consolidate something soon.

Also from the meeting, I learned that there is a national organization in the U.S. with a similar mission among a similar target group based in NY called Global Kids. This organization has been around for some 30 years. They have a volunteer youth exchange which takes place in Kenya with Youth Alive! Kenya for two weeks in the summer. After this discussion during the meeting we decided to see about partnering with Global Kids to send our kids through this program.

The only challenge is that our youth being from Georgia are may not qualify for the program given the geographic distance. So, there is still hope for little TWO Hands. They have numerous programs in various countries which is essentially the goal for our organization. I have taken a look at the programs and I am very impressed. Given their experience, I will review their approach again with mine to see if there is anything of greater impact that we can add or include into our program for the benefit of the youth.

Visit them at Globalkids.org

Raw

Today, I am starting the Raw Challenge. That is raw foods for 7 days. It is a wonderful thing for me as I am trying to get my health back on track. After seeing the cardiologist for HBP it is a necessary step to get it all under control. In my raw diet I have included some dried fruits such as figs and mangos which have high levels of potassium and are good for high blood pressure. They also have great levels of fiber which is need for any healthy diet. In my diet I have also included an enhancement in exercising. More walking for leisure as well as to places like the mall and the grocery store. With my leisure walks I have also included a bit of meditation to make the diet more of  a well rounded fast. So far so good. Will update the blog on how it goes!

The raw challenge helps to boost your immune system and offer amazing benefits to health in general. After seven days, I hope to include more raw foods and different types of raw veggies, fruits, and salads to my daily diet. 

Ngong visit

Just arrived back from Ngong with Josephat where we visited the Bishop John Oballa Owaa in the Diocese. Our discussion was to see if there was any partnership opportunity we could create for the organization so that the youth would have a volunteer host site in one of their parishes. Also in the meeting was the Caritas Ngong Director and one of the Fathers. They really enjoyed the idea of the organization and felt that it was quite purposeful for the youth. They gave some helpful tips about how we could collaborate for the benefit of the youth. We will definitely have to do some follow up meetings to decide on anything, but for now we wish to keep this potential partnership open to see if there is any greater collaboration we can create. Ngong is about a hour drive away from Nairobi. The community we visited is nestled into a forest about 1-2 km away from town center.

Lessons Learned from Matibabu

Per a discussion with Josephat Nyamwaya (on a matatu ride to Ngong) I learned some useful tips which I can use for TWO Hands from his work experience with Matibabu Foundation.

      1. Media Coverage- once the organization has sent its first few students, it is important to promote the organization through media coverage
          a.   It allows the community to see and know who you are.  

          b.      Develops credibility-   People will see who you are through media and trust the organization when they are placed in front of them.                              

          c.       Photos taken during their trip can be turned into a professional photo album to be published as a way to show off the organization wherever you can take the album.                                                                                          

          d.      New, radio, Newspaper, anything media coverage... but once you get your name out there... the coverage must not continue because too much coverage can also be bad.

     2.  Program Opening Session

          a.       Invite specific people to the opening session by hook or by crook-
 Josephat tells the story of how he attempted to invite someone who refused to open his schedule for the session. Once Josephat was able to secure another high profile attendee, that person made sure they attended. Wonderful.

          b.      It offers credibility

   
     3.       Good Networking

     4.       Professional Groundwork

     5.       CEO/ Founder

          a.       It is important to have an outside view of the organization, so it is important that the CEO Founder listen to all comments and criticism.

          b.      In the bylaws, the CEO must identify who will do what if the CEO is out or not in place. So that if anything happened to the CEO, the organization does not simply crumble away.

     6.       Hustle- Talk to any and everybody.

          a.       Josephat tells the story of how he spoke to a woman at a session just as she was to go on stage to speak. In speaking with her, she became so impressed she used the Foundation in her speech from beginning to end. Wonderful.

     7.       Stand on the shoulders of others

          a.       Listen to new ideas but also listen to your fraility

                                                               i.      If there is something you can not do, say communications, ask an expert (off the cuff) to show you how. And get it done!

     8.       Finally, it is important that your organization is three things...

a. Transparent
b. Accountable
c. Has Impact

Wonderful!

This was an excellent conversation.
I truly learned a lot. For more information check out
Matitbabu Foundation.

Tumaini Kwa Watoto

During the Youth Leadership training on yesterday, I met a young woman named Jane Wambui who works with youth on the street . She is a part of an organization called “Tumaini Kwa Watoto” which means “Children of Hope” in Kiswahili. I share her passion in providing a decent livelihood for youth who have found a home in the street. It is a true epidemic in many countries and it is something I would like to involved in resolving. Though the problem is massive. Children find themselves on the street for various reasons including parental abuse, hope for a better life in Nairobi, neglect, etc. The organization reaches out to youth on the street to rehabilitate the and reintegrate them into the home families. It is just amazing what they are doing in Nairobi. She has invited me to join one of their street walks to participate in reaching out to youth on the street. I am very excited.

For more information about the organization please see the link below.

Tumaini Kwa Watoto

Youth Leadership

Earlier today I went with Ernest Nyangi to Embakasi for a leadership training he conducted at Umoja First Love Church. The training was excellent and I can tell that Ernest has a way with people. He is a great speaker and motivator. What I learned from the training was quite simple. Leaders must be examine themselves first and be accountable. If you are mentoring youth, you must be sure of the example you set. Even further, with so many issues facing our youth today, not only is it important to set a good example, but we also must be focused in our objective so that the directions and expectations for the youth are clear.

I had a wonderful time at the training. I was able to act as a participant and also a photographer. I took many pictures of the other participants and the kids running around afterward. They were so adorable. I will join the next training. It is coming up soon. 

Love by Shakespeare

On Saturday, I went to see the play Love by Shakespeare performed by the Phoenix Players in town. I love those guys. The play was very well done. It combined three of Shakespeare’s plays, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and A Mid Summers Night’s Dream to tell a tale of... Love.. in complete irony. I mean really to die for love is quite insane. That line was pretty much a running theme in the play. It was funny, exciting, well written well performed, and just... Awesome. I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Phoenix Players. 

Mama’s

For Ladies Lunch today, Kaoi and I met at the new little French Pasterie  “Mama’s” in ABC Place Westlands.  In Kaoi’s words, ‘It was so cute’. Oh, how right she was. We indulged in some delicious sweets and had a little girl talk.

A wonderful end of the week treat!

TWO Hands... branding

Met with Marketing earlier today and we got the first look at the logo for TWO hands. I must say the branding is going pretty well. We will take some more time to get the logo just right before we decide, confirm and unveil. So far, I am thinking about adding more color to make it more kid friendly. Ichungwa suggests I take a look at some other examples of youth friendly brands to see what I can do to make it cool and unique. That will be the next assignment. Till then... All hands on deck!!!

Cheers!

SidTravel!

Today, I met with Sidney of SidTravel on a reference from Mary Sanyu. Sidney has his own tourist company and also helps to facilitate volunteers in various parts of Kenya. We discussed a possible collaboration which would not only provide assistance in finding a local organization to partner with on the ground, but also assistance with logistics once the participants are ready to go. Logistics from Airport to return and even a connection to an affiliate in England that could work out the London Stop over option. Bottom line...this was a solid connect. He knows good rates, and what is important for tourists to see in Kenya on a fixed time frame. Our discussion was very useful. We will speak further to consolidate a few options for volunteers. Yaay!

We even consulted with a local Masaii on the subject of volunteer options and areas of interest. 

   Sopa!

Defining Social Innovation- Disruptive Thinking

Check out this video- Defining Social Innovation

Defining social innovation requires more than just creative thinking. In fact, it beckons a new type of thought.. which is actually less new and more simply underutilized. Disruptive thinking. This "genre" of thought steps outside of the status quo and is generally frowned upon. But what makes it useful is that it requires a sense of collaboration, unity... UMOJA! As we become bound by the interconnectedness of technology, we become better able to solve the ills of this world simply by redirecting that mindlessness and regenerating our understanding. Joi Ito says in the video, "Once we as a people are empowered to learn, create, and participate, it allows a sense of ownership and responsibility to each other and the rest of world". 

We already can see how the internet makes the world away seem just next door. That’s how easy it is to influence change and inspire others. Its nothing like the power of people on the ground.. working together. Bottom line is that the social ills of this world require solutions from disruptive thinkers... People who not only think outside of the box, but think without a box in mind. People like you. People like me! Something else I enjoyed from Ito, "Frugal engineering happens in the absence of abundance."

Take a look at the video to hear more from him and others about what all of this truly means. 

I really liked this video. Feel free to watch, share, comment. Let me hear your thoughts... your disruptive thoughts!!

So what will the world be like in 50 or even 100 years...  I think people will be able to fly without the use of any physical or superhuman aides. I at least hope for the full ability teleportation in my lifetime. It will really bring new light to interconnectedness. 

Comment Please!!!

Hello World!

Today, I went over some of the page views from the blog just to see whether or not I had been writing to myself all this time. As it turns out, I have a few viewers. According to the stats, just in the last week there have been about 36 views, four of which I know are mine. While nothing impressive, I am excited to know that what I am sharing has not fallen on deaf ears... or better empty hearts. So, who are these mysterious viewers?... I want to know who it is that is supporting the blog and the organization. This has led me to send you guys... the audience, a plea.

Comment Please!

If you are viewing the page for the first time, if you like what you see, if you don't like what you see, if you have some expertise to offer, if you saw me at the mall, if you just want to say hello...

Comment Please!

If you want to be a part of the network, if you think I should be a part of your network, if you love to travel, if you love the kids, if you have nothing else to do....

Comment Please!

I want to hear your thoughts! I want to know how we can better serve the youth! I want know how you can get involved! I want to know you!

So.. by all means...

Comment Please!!!

Strategy Meeting with Josephat Nyamwaya

On Saturday, I had a meeting with Josephat Nyamwaya courtesy of Mary Sanyu Osire. The meeting was very helpful in that he gave me some ideas about where the youth should complete their community service hours. 

Given that Nairobi is filled with technocrats, he suggested that perhaps we look to organizations outside of Nairobi for better use of the students' limited skill set and to address more of a need for the organization(s) that may host them. 

We are setting a meeting in Ngong, just outside of Nairobi, to see if we can find just the organization to facilitate this. Meanwhile, Mr. Nyamwaya and Mary Sanyu have also put me in touch with a couple of similar organizations in Nairobi to join their network and see what we can learn from their experience regarding youth voluntourism and way forward for TWO Hands. 

It was very nice meeting with Mr. Nyamwaya. He seemed very understanding of the organization’s purpose and had this to say, “ I really enjoy the idea of young people solving their own problems  and impacting their communities while at it”. I look forward to working with him. 

We should go to Ngong some time next week.  I am very excited!

Life's Purpose

Yesterday, I met with Ernest. We discussed a bit about some activities that I can include in the program, but our side conversation proved more interesting. He asked these questions:

1. What is your life’s purpose?
2.  What difficulties do you face getting there?
3.  What are 10 things you want to... 

                    - Have?
                    - Be?
                    - Achieve?
                    - Impact?

Needless to say this gave me a lot to think about. In fact I am still working on understanding it all for myself.  This is a true lesson in personal development . 

These are some good questions not only for my personal development, but also for the youth to address and understand themselves as well. As we discussed more about getting the U.S. youth to interact with Kenyan youth we also engaged the idea of adding a bit of this personal development to the curriculum. Curriculum development is scheduled for the coming week, so we will see what we can do to fit it into the cultural adaption section or maybe carve out some additional space in the curriculum.

Ask yourself the same questions. What do you come up with?

Matrix Feedback

Today, I received feedback about the results matrix from a good friend and colleague, Adam Kessler.

Overall, he said the matrix looked exciting and that as an M&E person he was happy to see that we sorted the outcomes, outputs and activities appropriately. That was good news! The few pointers he did have were quite simple. Por ejemplo... You have too many objectives. Narrow it down for a more specific frame. Once I did that I was able to better sort what outputs were needed and what was just extra fluff. 

The matrix is handy for my own reference and general understanding of program direction, but it is also useful for marketing the organization's program. When it is time to get donors, parents and students interested in the program, we will be able to clearly show each program activity, it’s benefit for the student and it's output for the organization.

So it is important to get these things right. 

Thanks to Adam Kessler for keeping us on track!

Policies and Procedures... more work to be done

Update...

I've spent the last week or so working to develop the policy guidelines for the organization. It has been a difficult task, researching similar policies and knowing what to include or not for my org. So...there is more work to be done. Anyone who can offer any advice and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Matrix Reloaded

Just completed the results matrix for the program. I wanted to revise the one completed previously to reflect program objectives as opposed to organizational objectives.

As the goal of the program is to provide increased opportunities for underrepresented youth to engage in international education through community service, the objectives are as follows:

I just really wanted to add
 some of Jada's Matrix spice. 

1. Gain International Exposure
2. Increase skills toward Global Leadership 
3. Participate in Cultural Immersion
4. Gain or Enhance a perspective of African culture and history
5. Improve Travel Readiness and Preparedness

We want the students to be able to gain international exposure and cross cultural understanding while increasing skills toward both personal and professional development. The program hopes to assists students through these objectives.

It is so exciting. 

From the objectives I am working with Ernest to enhance the list of activities that will help accomplish the objectives in a way that is both student oriented and culturally relevant to the context of Kenya. 

It is a truly fun venture. 

The new matrix also includes outcomes and outputs, all of which will be very useful in marketing to donors and parents. I can see a nice diagram that will highlight the objectives, sample the activities and other matrix components in a fun way that will ensure the vitality of the program and truly get people interested.

Its great!

Nothing can stop us now!

The Tyranny of Benga

Wonderful time hanging out and listening to some very nice Kenyan music. The concert  was dubbed,  "The Tyranny of Benga",  because the musicians, Eric Wainana, Dan Aceda and the Villagers Band played in the style of music popular in the 50's and 60's called Benga. The artists have made it classic in its own way by reviving it and giving it a fresh sound blended into today's soultry jazz sound. It was wonderful to see so many people so excited, just dancing and having fun.

The night ended on a high as I experienced my first mosh pit when Eric Wainaina jumped into the  crowd for a brief moment to crowd surf. Take a look.

More photos from Mwarv: KWELI Photos

Wangari Maathai's 73rd birtday

Today is the birthday (or more correct in this case, earthday) of Wangari Mathaai , she would have been 73. Her legacy is not only important for the nation of Kenya, but she has made a powerful stance for the continent of Africa and the women of this world. Her pioneering and motivating efforts to regreen the country and mobilise women to be empowered with in these efforts is why she was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, the first African woman to receive such honor.

Mathaai's efforts are inspiring especially considering that the path was not an easy one. But she pressed through, which encourages me to keep working towards my passion, though it may be difficult at first, it is can be done. Thanks for the inspiration and Happy Birthday Wangari!

Plant a Tree for Wangari Maathai
The Green Belt Movement

New government to introduce right side driving

Monday, April 1, 2013

New Government to introduce right side driving



The Kenyatta government will make everything all right — on the roads, that is.
A surprise leak from State House, Nairobi, reveals that one of the first acts of the new administration is likely to be to switch driving from the British left-hand side of the road to the right, as favoured by the US, Europe and the Chinese.

The change is being seen as Mr Kenyatta’s answer to the British who, it is claimed, heavily supported his Cord opponent Raila Odinga during the recent elections.It has the added advantage of pleasing Kenya’s major trade partners, the Chinese, who built most of the country’s new trunk roads and flyovers and will now be awarded lucrative contract to reverse the entire roads system.

Roundabouts will have to face the other way, slip roads will be re-routed, the highways themselves need to swop sides and all flyovers will have to be redesigned as underpasses.

In addition many new hospitals and clinics will have to be opened to cope with the expected influx of seriously injured pedestrians who, bemused by the new system, are expected to walk into the paths of oncoming vehicles. The only exemption from the new Keep Right rule will be matatus, which will be allowed, as previously, to drive on the pavements of their choice.

One major change that will hit all drivers in their pockets, however, will be to have their vehicles adapted to right hand drive. Wheelchairs and motorcycles are likely to be exempted.

Meanwhile, as the formal announcement of the decision is expected Monday, April 1, the Chinese charge d’affaires from the country’s embassy in Kenya, Mr Hi Way Run, has been seconded to State House to oversee both the change in driving habits and the massive new building programme.

It is thought that in an act of conciliation Mr Odinga might be invited to join the Kenyatta Cabinet but in his former position of Roads minister.

...

So... though it took me about a minute and a half to understand the intended purpose of this article, I definitely got it... did you?

APRIL FOOLS!!! 

This is article was found in one of the country's newspapers, The Daily Nation. Pretty  awesome. They almost got me. :)

Pasaka Njema!

Pasaka Njema! It means Happy Easter in KiSwahili!

In Kenya, Easter is celebrated with a full four day weekend from Friday through Monday. Awesome right! Many people take this opportunity to travel to their homelands outside of Nairobi, so it becomes a sort of migration for the weekend. And when Sunday comes, there is church and an Easter program by the youngins just like back home.

Old family photos from Easters long ago. Good times!!

Back home, each year, we would go to church dressed in our finest Easter day dresses and suits, say our speeches, sing, rejoice, and by afternoon arrive at the family house for the next part of the Easter tradition... "the egg hunt". Children from the neighborhood, my brother, and all of our my cousins would hunt for eggs in my aunt's backyard. It was a stupendous occasion which was preceded by a round of picture taking and followed by hefty dinner... you know, the soul food kind. We would then play more games, and delight in afternoon nap. I loved every moment of it.

Now, this is my second Easter in Kenya. A week shy of a year ago, the day after my flight landed, I traveled with my then roommate to her home town of Eldoret in Western Kenya. It was nice to see how the ideals of family and tradition played out there as well. Though there was no egg hunt, there was still church, a kid's play and hefty dinner all the same. It brought back some exciting memories... particularly the one where my brother procrastinated all spring break to learn his Easter speech, only to memorize it the night before, giving my mother great anxiety, but relief in the end.

We all know of course the true meaning of Easter it is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Christian Community. These speeches, plays, and songs speak remind of us of the magnificent necessity.  While the Easter eggs and other things are more of a secular tradition... they are fun nonetheless and a part of a holiday which I love so dearly. I think I just got a little homesick reminiscing about it all. I hope to be able to carry the traditions as I grow old!

 Check out  how I celebrated Easter this year at Parkie with their Childrens' play. Thay were so adorable. The play was wonderful, really driving home the sacrifice of the resurrection and what it means for us.