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IDEAS, DESIGNS, CREATIONS, CONCEPTS, VIEWPOINTS
...AND A BIT OF NEWS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE UP TO |
“What makes a good photo?” Have you ever looked at a photo and thought “How did they see that? I was right there and I missed it!” Since I started wielding the camera for Kayole Mtaa Safi, I have been asking other photographers what the missing element is. The answers varied a little, but the fundamentals are always the same. I asked our friend, Kayole's own Toothpick Inno and he summed it up neatly: The most important element of a good photo is the ability of the photo to communicate with the viewer. It should be able to tell a story through its composition, lighting, and most importantly its subject matter. You can check out Inno's pics on his Instagram page, but for now let's take a look at the details of what separates good pictures from great ones. Subject Matter Interesting lighting is essential, composition gives impact and visual appeal, and drawing attention to the subject through good use of focus are all very important. But if the subject isn’t worth looking at, you still have an uninteresting photo. Care You need to care about what you shoot and how you shoot it. If you don’t care about your shot, it’s likely nobody else will either. It’s tempting to shoot everything willy-nilly and pick out the good shots later – if there are any, but it’s better to be always looking rather than always shooting. Look for the things other people don’t notice. Avoid the obvious shot. Emotion This was the most common response. In the digital age we face a barrage of images every day. If a photo doesn’t knock us out of the box, our brains will automatically dismiss it as useless information. A good photo makes you feel something: happiness, sadness, curiosity, surprise, awe or rage. Evoking any emotion is better than none. If you can make an image do that, it will be remembered long after all your technically perfect shots are forgotten. The Story A great photograph is often intriguing - it tells a story - a different story for each person. A captivating image evokes a memory or invites you to put yourself in the scene. It teleports you to the time and place captured within it. Then it lets you write your own narrative. So these are my findings so far. I know I haven't talked about the "golden ratio" or technical stuff like that, but I have added a few more shots by Daniel Britt to illustrate and inspire. Did I miss something important? If you would like to add it, just drop it in the comments.
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It’s been five months since Public Space Network launched their first city-wide “Changing Faces” competition. We have had a great time spending the last nine Thursdays transforming Thawabu court into a ... a ... nice place to hang out. All around Nairobi, teams of youth competed to make their chosen public space the cleanest, greenest and safest - and some of the work is truly impressive. It’s been great walking around the neighborhood and seeing the zeal and effort local groups have invested. The competition kicked off in Dandora, where the Changing Faces Competition was born. The Dandora Transformation League showcased the transformations that resulted from previous competitions hoping to inspire teams from other parts of Nairobi. The award ceremony will celebrate all cityshapers taking part in the 2018 Changing Faces Competition and will award the best transformations. Each team identified a public open space to improve: a bus stop, footbridge, street, playground, wall, courtyard, sidewalk, dumpsite, market place, park, or a police station, and spent the last nine weeks fixing it up. We picked a street in Kayole which was perfect for turning into an attractive and productive public space and we met with stakeholders to ensure the long-term maintenance and ongoing impact. The transformation has had a positive effect on the users of the space and the surrounding community and we are receiving requests from residents of surrounding areas for similar work. Fifteen photos of our work have been submitted to the judges: five before shots, five during, and five after shots. They will compare the impact and scope of the transformation. Some of these photos, and others can be seen here. Now, we are selecting another area to begin another transformation. No prize money up for grabs this time, just the satisfaction of a job well done and the appreciation of the locals. Our Thursday Public Space Transformation is a vehicle for an even greater transformation – one of the heart and mind. Though the good fellowship that comes from working together and the feeling of fulfilment that comes with achievement, we are creating a positive atmosphere in which young people can realize their potential. We are always looking for opportunities for these energetic youth to do better: scholarships, training, job opportunities, or enterprises. If you would like to know more, contact us here. Is Miraa Legal in Kenya?
In a word, yes.
However it is illegal in 15 European Union Member States and Norway. Tanzania has also recently banned miraa (also known as khat) consumption, while The United Kingdom and Netherlands banned miraa in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Miraa is also targeted by anti-drug organizations such as the DEA in USA. Reasons for this change in policy varied among the countries. The Netherlands barred miraa imports saying consumption had adverse health and social effects. The UK, on the other hand, feared becoming the new smuggling route for miraa into Europe. Despite these facts, sale, and consumption of miraa are legal in Kenya, as well as Djibouti, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen. What are the Benefits of Miraa According to www.drugs.com there are no well-controlled clinical trials, therefore assertions that it is a viable means of weight loss or other such claims are without substance. Conversely, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified khat (locally known as miraa) as a drug of abuse that can produce psychological dependence. In other words, although it isn't associated with physical addiction, it can create a continuing desire for its consumption. â Military and Civilian use of miraa in Somalia has been blamed for draining the nation's economy, fueling civil war, and undermining international relief efforts. This may sound extreme, but it raises the question: What is it about this drug that would cause anyone to believe such a charge? What exactly happens when you chew miraa? Effects of Miraa on the Mind Initially, during miraa sessions, there is an atmosphere of cheerfulness, optimism and a general sense of well-being. Effects such as mood changes, increased alertness, excessive talkativeness, hyperactivity, excitement can be expected, so can aggressiveness, anxiety, manic behavior, paranoia, and mental disorders. After about 2 hours, tension, emotional instability and irritability begin to appear, later leading to feelings of low mood and sluggishness. Chewers tend to leave a session feeling depleted. Trouble sleeping (insomnia), loss of energy (malaise), and lack of concentration usually follow. Effects on the Body Physiologically, effects include elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, heart palpitations, faster breathing rates, increased body temperature, sweating, eye changes, mouth ulcers, inflammation of the esophagus and stomach, gum disease, jaw problems (TMJ), and constipation. Severe side effects include migraine, bleeding in the brain, heart attack, lung problems, liver damage, changes in sex drive, and last but not least, inability to get an erection (impotence). Not only can chewing miraa lead to a decrease in food consumption, which in turn leads to a loss of overall health and condition, studies have shown miraa may also impede food absorption, multiplying the effect of lost appetite. Rats fed miraa have shown a retardation of growth, not from loss of appetite, but from decreased absorption of food. They were not properly digesting what little food they were eating. Miraa is Often Associated with Other Substance Abuses We at Kayole Mtaa Safi believe in healthy body, mind and spirit. Our aim is to promote and encourage a healthy, productive, creative lifestyle in and around the Kayole area. Feel free to contact us for more information. Komarock Canal Beautification UpdateKomarock Canal is coming along nicely. Last week we installed one of four park benches which were kindly provided by James Mwangi , Komarock Ward Admin. The place is looking fresh and green and inviting – a magical transformation. Transporting the solid concrete bench to the canal and putting it in place took some serious lifting, but it was no problem for the boys of Mtaa Safi. The whole operation went like clockwork from beginning to end, no squashed fingers or pulled muscles. The whole operation was overseen by a few representatives from James Mwangi’s office who were the first to enjoy the new addition to the growing landscape of the canal. Three more benches are on the way, and some decorative shrubs, and of course we are continuing to encourage the grass to spread over the whole area. The coming wet season should be just in time to set off the whole thing in an explosion of green – big changes. To everyone who gave us a review on GreatNonprofits.org. Great work! You’ve helped us get on the 2018 GreatNonprofits Top-Rated List. Thank you! GreatNonprofits is the leading platform for community-sourced stories about nonprofits. They help organizations like ours harness our most authentic and effective advertising - stories by people who know us best. Our donors, volunteers, and others who have experienced the impact of our work up close tell our story better than anyone. These reviews inspire and inform prospective donors and volunteers and encourage the community to be more confident in giving or volunteering. The GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Awards is the one and only people’s choice award where volunteers, donors, and people served by nonprofits are asked to share stories of inspiration, express their appreciation, and potentially help nonprofits earn a spot on the prestigious GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Nonprofits List. We are proudly displaying our new “Top-Rated Nonprofit” badge and enjoying the good reviews. Click here to see all the reviews about Kayole Mtaa Safi Making the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated List helps us gain visibility, trust, and recognition. It is promoted to donors on the GreatNonprofits website and their audience. And the award will be used in our outreach and communications. If you haven’t posted a review (and you like what we do) you can do it now by clicking this link. If you have posted a review, thanks again. You can help our visibility by sharing the good news about us being a 2018 Top-Rated Nonprofit by clicking the button below. Some of the boys who frequent Mtaa Safi have saved up and invested in a piki-piki. As you can see, they are already busy installing the essential sound system. We asked one of the Mtaa Safi fundis what they should do to keep their new asset in top condition and this is what he advised:
Keep being inspired and inspiring. A very interesting scholarship came up a month ago. Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) was giving youth groups a chance to learn hydroponics and as a group will be set up to establish a business in the same industry. Hydroponics is a great way of using urban space for agricultural activities. It is also cheap to setup and run. There is a big market already waiting for good quality produce too! All that is left to do is produce it. Six of our young members (1 lady and 5 guys) have taken up the challenge and are undergoing certified training at Miramar International College, Muthiga. In Kayole, we have already dabbled in urban agriculture, but not in hydroponics. This is a big and very useful step for Kayole Mtaa Safi and also for the students involved in the study. While KCB is sponsoring the course fees and a little bit of travel fare, there are still expenses to wear for the student. Books, stationery etc. Of course, there is also the fact that while they are studying, the students are not working to support themselves. This is where you can help. Click the button at the bottom of the page to make a donation towards the future of these youths. Pens, exercise books, travel expenses, work-wear, lunch, etc. - if we can help out with these simple things it will allow these students to focus solely on doing well at their studies. Changing Faces CompetitionPublic Space Network are launching their first city-wide competition entitled "Changing Faces" and we at Kayole Mtaa Safi are thrilled to be a part of it. All around Nairobi, teams of youth will be competing to make their chosen public space the cleanest, greenest and safest - and creating jobs for themselves in the process. Each team will identify a public open space it wants to improve: a bus stop, footbridge, street, playground, wall, courtyard, sidewalk, dumpsite, market place, park, police station – even a base ya mtaa. The competition begins around the end of October and runs for nine weeks. We have picked out a street in Kayole which is perfect for turning into an attractive and productive public space and we are meeting with stakeholders and making plans. We will need to demonstrate the effect the transformation has on the users of the space and the surrounding community and will need to submit a sustainability plan to ensure the long-term maintenance and ongoing impact. We submit five photos before, five during, and five after the intervention so that the judges can compare the impact and scope of the transformation. The competition kicks off in Dandora, where the Changing Faces Competition was born. It will showcase the transformations that have resulted from previous competitions and hopefully inspire teams from other parts of Nairobi. The award ceremony will celebrate all cityshapers taking part in the 2018 Changing Faces Competition and will award the best transformations. Sponsor UsYou can help us maximize our impact, by sponsoring us with cash or in-kind. If you would like to help, you can contact us to discuss our needs and the scope of the advantage you will receive in return. Depending on sponsorship, advertisements for sponsors include the following: Your logo and description on PSN website and social media Your logo on PSN marketing material (flyers, brochures, posters) Public thank you and presentation of your company during the kick-off event and the award ceremony Opportunity to include your marketing material in the welcome bags for attendees of the award ceremony. This is a five-month event, Nairobi-wide, and with various partnerships and participants. It will receive massive coverage on mainstream and social media. The competition activities will take place both online and offline, providing a lot of public engagement. Don’t miss out! - Click here to contact us Well, they've finally arrived and 1000s of children couldn't be happier. Every day is now filled with children's playing noises from every corner of Kayole. It's like Sunday for 7 days a week. It's the school holidays. At the social hall, the numbers swell from a few hundred people per day to a couple1000 due to all the kids activities happening through out the day. Over 60 kids have been showing up for daily acrobatics classes. And they are getting better. We've also had a few German acrobats come through the place with some gifts and some training. This was exciting and pushed our capacity to new levels. We are still looking for the gym matts and landing mattresses for safer practice. In the mean time, we've offloaded a bunch of squashed sugarcane that makes a fine outdoor matt for practicing cartwheels and flips. The kids love it and it is much much safer! Thanks for walking with us. Kayole Mtaa Safi is proud to be able to help Njiwa Medical in their endeavour to help the poor of Kayole and the surrounding area. We have recently raised funds for much needed medical equipment for the clinic. NJIWA Medical currently operates as a self-funded clinic combining general practice and maternity. Treatment of needy, orphans & homeless is funded by the proceeds from paying clients, who may also receive a discount depending on their circumstances. Mtaa Safi is supporting the efforts of NJIWA MEDICAL with labour and financial support. The clinic building needs work, medical equipment is required, and medicines always need replenishing. Every little bit helps. According to the World Bank, millions of Kenyans cannot afford to pay for health services. A large fraction of those millions live in Kayole-Soweto. With an estimated population of 700,000 and over 60% unemployment, most families are living on less than $1/day. In an area where cases of cholera, TB and HIV are alarmingly high, where parasites are simply "lived with," and injuries due to accidents and violence are common, affordable healthcare can be a matter of life and death. Since mid-2017, NJIWA has filled a great void by providing free and affordable healthcare to the needy of Kayole. Our mission is to ensure that NJIWA Medical continues to meet all licensing requirements, becomes eligible to receive free vaccines and subsidies through government health schemes, and is equipped to meet the rising demand upon its resources. By building sustainability, Njiwa's free services will continue to grow. Many homeless, orphans and needy have already benefited and many more will in the future. Collaboration between NJIWA, Kayole Mtaa Safi and others is building a strong community network of health-minded people with greater influence on decision-makers for the good of all concerned. As you may know, we have been working to get some of our guys into life enhancing courses and scholarships. Since starting this project, we have applied on behalf of more than 30 youths from our immediate area for various sponsorships from different companies and organizations. One particular sponsorship application we were successful with was the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) 2jiajiri program. Of the 20 youth that we helped apply for this sponsorship, six have been given places - four Electrical Wireman trades, one mechanical, and one Tiling Trade. The sponsorship caters for the study and exam costs and three of the boys were also given travel allowance and food allowance due to their abject living conditions. The challenge is that the allowance is very small, it doesn't cater enough even for simple things. That's where we were able to come in. We have been able to buy simple but decent bicycles for them to ride to the college. The agreement is that they can use it and gradually pay it off as they earn. After three months of study, they will be going for industrial attachments. By that time, they will have paid of the bike (or most of it) and will have free transport to their workplace. One of the boys, Antony (21yo), had been at a loss as to what to dream or hope for in his life: "Even if I had the opportunity to get a sponsorship for college, I would not be able to afford going to study without working. So, going to study was not an option. It was just work, work, work in a dead end job. No time to study." This is a common plight for the youth in this area of Nairobi. Even if they make it out of high school, there just isn't enough funds available for futher study. "I was so suprised that I got the KCB sponsor." commented Anthony "There were thousands of applicants. But it was only because Kayole Mtaa Safi supported us form the start that I am going to be successful in doing this. They helped us right from the application to the transport and also the books and things like the geometry set and T-square. Now I have a serious plan and I can't take this opportunity for granted. I know where I have come from and now I know where I am going. Thank you for supporting me." It is cases like Antony's that let you know you're having an impact. His life will never be the same again because somebody has stirred into his future opportunity and ability. Our plan is to have at least 10 youth continuously moving through some sort of training/study. As they move out of the college, we hope to replace them with other keen, needy young men and women. You can help. Just click the button below to see how. Having set up and run-in the cafe over the last couple of months, we felt it was time to hand-over the cafe to the refugee women with the support of the refugee community here in Kayole and surrounds.
Of course, starting such a business is never easy, and we had our teething problems. But all-in-all, the cafe seems to be a moderate success. But It's more than a successful business venture - it marks the turning point in not a few refugee families. Anita, a 24 year old single mother of three, was beside herself talking about the opportunities this cafe can bring families like hers. "We have never been helped in this way before. No-one has thought about us like this. This will change our lives and our children's lives." Bishop John is a Kenyan pastor who for over 8 years has been tirelessly looking after refugees from East African nations. He helps them physically and uplifts them spiritually. When John and his team agreed to take on board the oversight of the cafe project, we knew we were leaving it in good hands. His extensive experience, his good standing among the community make him and his team an excellent choice for the oversight and direction of the project. So, we had a little party. Cakes were eaten and sodas were downed. Big dudes in high places were there and the little people were too - all rubbing shoulders and having a good time in celebration of a successful project and a bright future for all involved. (The local chief, MP and County Rep were present). Then there were the goodbyes. But not the Game Over. Having now been running for over a month without us looking over their shoulder, the cafe is still going strong. Good memories and discounted dinners are now ours for the taking anytime we want! AND THIS IS ALL THANKS TO DONATIONS. If you were one of those generous people, no matter how small or large it was money-wise, it was BIG to us. You could have used it somewhere else, but you stood by us and our needs. Thank you. This project also made another impact in our little organisation. It allowed us to use the GlobalGiving platform for other projects. That was no small feat in itself. There are very, very few crowdfunding platforms that allow a small grass-roots community organisation in a developing world with no office in a first-world to run a crowdfunding exercise for us. Nor with the professionalism and support that puts GlobalGiving ahead of the rest of the platforms. Each and every donation counted - that's no exaggeration - we only crossed the finish line with one donor more than we needed and that one was almost too late! It just goes to show how much a little bit of help from many people can do. Thanks again for sticking by us. I invite you to check out our other projects currently running. We are supporting young men and women in reaching their dreams of a higher education. In Kayole, this is a pipe-dream to most youth. Now it is becoming a reality. Having just finished the school holiday period all minds are now tuned back to learning in the classroom. But it is good to appreciate other forms of learning too. Some of the best and most important learning comes from casual but directed interactivity with good role models. Rubbing shoulders with these children and doing something we both love so much is a great learning experience. The energies are poured into life-shaping experiences that effect both the mind and body in such a wholesome way. Some of our kids spent everyday of the holidays at the Social Hall fine tuning their acrobatic prowess. A safe and fun environment gives these kids a chance that most kids from such a slum like Kayole can't have. This framework of constructive learning is helping shape the lives of some 40 kids into more focused and disciplined kids ready to take life's challenges more sturdily. KCB Foundation is offering scholarships to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. "At least 92% of unemployed youth have formal education but do not possess any skills Kenyan youth (are) unable to find jobs and unable to become self-employed " - KCB Executive Director Ms Mwangi. We at Mtaa Safi are assisting a few of our bright young people in preparing their applications for this scholarship. We will also provide successful applicants with the support needed to complete their courses. KCB Foundation is scaling up its scholarship program to increase the role of youth in achieving the 2030 sustainable development agenda. The aim is to end extreme poverty through imparting skills that will empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. Courses in construction, automotive and agriculture are being offered to meet the dire need for skilled labor in Kenya. Here in Kayole, where most people live on less than $1 per day, even with a scholarship these vocations are out of reach. We at Mtaa Safi have been working side-by-side with unemployed youth in Kayole for years. We have hand-picked ten youth from low-income families with the potential to succeed not only in their studies, but in contributing to their community. Mtaa Safi will provide assistance with transport, lunch and initial fees and expenses. We will also be on hand to share our technical know-how and give encouragement. This handful of youths, having seized this opportunity and applied themselves to achieving will be an example to their peers. The children of Kayole need good role models: young citizens who are succeeding through hard work and diligence, and in turn, contributing to their families and community. If you would like to help us with this project, just click the button below. Last year saw many struggles, including an elongated and disruptive election period, not a big deal in some places, but here it brings real unrest. By engaging the local youth in safe, energetic activities such as gymnastics and acrobatics, and offering quality mentorship from responsible local coaches, we are injecting the community with lifesaving countermeasures. Apart from learning the sport, the children learn perseverance, teamwork, trust, vision & creativity. It also builds self-esteem & social confidence in a fun & interactive sport. A number of local kids have already been nurtured in this way with excellent lasting results.
As of the end of December, Kayole Mtaa Safi is a Vetted Organization according to Global Giving, the world's largest crowdfunding community.
Yahoo!, Yipee! and Whoopdy-do! ... What does that mean to us ordinary people? In a nutshell, it means Kayole Mtaa Safi isn't just a fly-by-night organization that is going to collect donations and then disappear - but we already knew that. Didn't we? In other words, GlobalGiving performed rigorous due diligence on Kayole Mtaa Safi as they do on every organization using their platform to ensure we are doing charitable work in a transparent and accountable manner, and meeting local requirements for registration. GG collected and review legal documents, financial records, program materials, and lists of senior staff and board members, in order to validate that we are running our projects as described. They also evaluate our capacity to 'do what we have described and describe what we have done.' They also looked into our relationship with previous funders. Finally, believe it or not, they ensure that we are compliant with anti-terror guidelines - I guess they are just being thorough. Last but not least they look at our compliance with international guidelines for philanthropy. As you may have read in an earlier post, we successfully raised approximately $5,000 from 40 donors as a step in our vetting process. GlobalGiving then look to ‘the crowd’ to provide feedback about organization and projects to further determine our suitability. Now that we're vetted and added to the GlobalGiving community, we're required to submit quarterly project reports, including activities, accomplishments and results of the project to-date. These reports are emailed to our donors and publicly available on our project page so you can see how your donation is being used and what progress has been made. So from here on, every two years, they conduct a thorough due diligence renewal on us and even personally pay us a visit. What a dedicated bunch. I think we're a good match. WE DID IT! We have been awarded a permanent position with GlobalGiving's fundraising platform. We raised a total USD $9,199 from 48 unique donations. That's 48 individual donors from places as far afield as USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Australia and Kenya! (if I forgot your country, please tell me) GlobalGiving has confirmed the remittance of our funds on 26 October, and have said that it may take up to two weeks to arrive, so now we wait. Given the current election crisis in Kenya, it's not a bad idea to let things get back to normal. I'll keep you posted with updates as to how we fare - nothing in Kenya is a smooth ride at the moment, but it can be an honest and genuine one! Kayole Mtaa Safi Initiative is committed to making sure that you can be proud to be a part of our projects and the impact we make. Thanks again to all who participated in our crowdfunding campaign. No matter how little or big your contribution was, it was well received and will make a big impact. Thankyou Very Much! Wow! For a first fundraising attempt, we are surprised and very grateful for all your efforts to pull in supporters from all parts of your life. For all involved, this was a "pipe dream" project - they did not believe anybody could assist them the way that you have. Your simple act of giving has had marvelous repercussions across the lives of these young refugee mothers and their families. Please do not under-estimate the far reaching effects that a small act of charity brings and how many facets of someone's life that you have touched - health, schooling, self-esteem, vision etc. We have a lot of awesome opportunities to bring about sustainable change to the young lives here. So stay tuned. In the meantime, we will start setting up the New Start Cafe. Our plan is-:
Thanks for being part of the change in our lives. The following is a story from one of the young ladies who will benefit from the creation of Newstart Cafe.
Hello. I am 28 years old, Burundian. I am married with one daughter. Both my parents were killed during the violence between 1995-2003. My elder sister was killed in 2012 by people from Mtabila Camp in Tanzania when our land was taken by force. Soon after I went to work as a maid for a family in Bujumbura. After a market fire in February 2013 my boss moved to Uganda taking me with them. Shortly after moving, my boss tried to rape me, his wife chased me away. I was afraid to go back to Burundi where all my family had been killed, so I made my way to Kakuma Camp in Kenya where I was cared for by a Ugandan woman. I married in June 2013. A month later we were falsely accused of working secretly with the Burundian government and were victimized by others in the camp. Our food assistance provided by World Vision was regularly stolen - leaving us helpless. In September 2014, war broke out in the camp. Fortunately we were able to escape unharmed. We now live in Kayole, Nairobi. It is very hard for us here. Both my husband and I are unemployed and we struggle to be able to provide enough food for regular meals. My daughter often goes hungry. It is my desire to start a small restaurant in partnership with other ladies from similar circumstances to my own. We have a vision of being self-supporting by means of this business. Any assistance you can give to help make our vision a reality will be greatly appreciated. At the end of 2016, UNHCR reported that 494,900 refugees were living in Kenya with 14% living in urban areas - particularly Nairobi. Kayole, Nairobi is home to a huge populations of refugees in Nairobi with South Sudanese and Congolese making up most of the majority groups. Many of the women refugees are families who have lost their fathers / husbands in the political & tribal turmoil of their countries. Moreover, waiting for resettlement as a refugee sometimes takes up to 10 years - leaving unrest and uncertainty a daily demoralizing factor in an already difficult circumstance. With no living security, many have struggled just for daily bread and life just spirals downhill as the children become malnourished and can't commit to regular schooling due to lack of school funds. 10 Refugee Women Looking for a NEW START Ten young refugee mothers from Burundi, Rwanda and Congo have decided not to prolong their misery - sitting around in poverty, struggling to feed their families on 'who knows what', waiting on a resettlement that might take years, raising their children in fearful, unsafe and very precarious conditions. Their aim is to utilise the skills that they have and turn it into a small joint-venture business - a restaurant For these refugee women, the 'NEW START' CAFE project represents more than just a job. It represents a new life. A new beginning.NEW START cafe - Burundi style'NEW START' cafe will be situated in a main area of Kayole where there are many refugee families. This will be ideal for the Burundi Cuisine they intend to serve up. Catering for the simple local diet will also be an easy addition to the menu. The women will roster themselves to work a couple days per week, sharing the workload as per the demand. As the project gains stability, other similar projects will stem from this such as event catering. Kayole Mtaa Safi will be raising funds for this venture through the Global Giving platform and we expect Newstart Cafe to be up and running by the end of the year. Mtaa Safi na Imani is a joint initiative run by three different organisations in Kayole and supported by the local sub-county administration. We operate through the week on different days on the same street to clean and green the streets. To kick-start the project, we started on the 1km stretch of the busy Masimba-Soweto Road. With a plan to clean up and plant trees every 6m along each side of the road. Along the way, we hope to create awareness amongst the residents, shopkeepers and road users and have them take affirmative action in keeping the street clean. It's a big vision, but we are taking one step at a time. NEW KAYOLE - ENVIRONMENTAL & DEVELOPMENT GROUP is a community based organisation from Matopeni that helps out every Monday. Imani Rehabilitation Agency care for more than 350 children that are abandoned, orphaned or otherwise neglected. The staff and kids set an example for Kayole to follow. The local sub-county has been helping too. Creating public awareness is possibly the biggest contributor to change in the community. Mtaa Safi na Imani holds regular meetings with the residents, shopkeepers other stakeholders to build awareness, educate people, bring together ideas and raise up a unified stand on the local environmental situation. There is a lot to do. Why not help us out in whichever way you can.
This is the part that needs some strength & skill. Pick a spot where the wall of the tyre is soft to start. Place the tyre with petals facing down. Using two hands holding one petal each pull up on the petals while pushing down and in on the tread with your foot 'til it flips. Then slowly work around the tyre pulling and flipping one petal at a time, making sure that each petal is properly up before trying to lift the next one. With a bit of practice it you'll be a pro. After you have flipped the tyre completely inside out you are ready to wash your tyre. And then decorate it. We found using water based paint with a white undercoat held onto the tyre the best. You are now ready to use your pot for planting flowers or whatever else you may think of. You are only limited by your imagination and of course, your courage. Stay tuned for our next blog on tyre pots. We will show you how we filled them and with what and also where we placed them around our community. |
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Post in this blog are contributed by the various members of Kayole Mtaa Safi Initiative. Archives
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