Journey to Kenya

our global citizenship class 2015

When i was growing up in the deep rural areas of Khosolo i never thought that one day i will be outside the country on an educational visit or tour. when i first head about the opportunity i was in doubts that of all the people me who is coming from such a poor back ground will be able to represent our fellow activistas in Kenya. when i got support from my parents, activistas committee, community and Action Aid People for Change inspirator that i can make it to the Global platform i was still in doubts.

My Illusion came to reality when i received an email confirming that my application has been excepted to be part of the global citizens who will attend the global citizenship course in Kenya. Although our resources were limited i remember one day when we had nothing to conduct our First human rights Soccer tournament our inspirator Ayanda Sibindi looked at all of us and said "i know that we are in a difficult stage but i believe that where there is a will the is a way, so lets use our creativity to find one" these word made the tournament and it led us to do more and more activities with little or no resources. His inspiration was fuel to me as an individual and our activista group , he never believed in failure but temporary delay so he always told us. He used to step on top of the desk  during our trainings and say " GREAT RISKS COME WITH GREAT REWARDS so ladies and gentlemen dont be afraid of doing things. do things and gain experience then reflect and learn from your experience, NO ONE WAS BORN WITH CONFIDENCE. tiyeni kundazi achinyamata," he will smile and every men in the room will participate in whatever we are doing in a serious constructive fun way

These inspirational words carried me from Rural Areas of Malawi to Nairobi Kenya with little or no fear but with confidence to gain exposure and new experience. we are only two from Sourthen Africa but i put my head up to proudly represent my community country with dignity. I am however proud of who i am and see the importance of equality despite our backgrounds, nationalities and race. I rub my hands in Glee and i have acquitted my vision into new horizons, by this trip i will never be the same so will my community back home.

by Albert sakala

Activistas Tideco on 90km/ hour

chikondi giving the TA Khosolo petition for protection children from abuse and marriage

The unstoppable activista Train of kanjuchi is now on 90km/hr as it has  been vocal and has gained a lot of strength since January. The activistas have achieved more than expected within a short period of time Conducting 3 human rights soccer Tournaments with the 3rd one stretching to Mabilabo the next traditional authority catchment area. Furthermore the popularity of the tournament has spread to central region Kasungu where by other teams get their players from in a bid to win the Tournament.  The tournament has been used to address different issues affecting youths. Activista membership is escalating and the local leaders are now working with the their committee who meet everyday to find solution to the community problems. Current issue on the table the activistas want to expand their enterprise sector so as fight against unemployment .  With help from action aid trainings  ( adviser Stella Agara  and Ayanda inspirator, Harry Chikandira) the group has immensely grown capacity to pull the strings of activism to another level.

They completely boost our self esteem

At first I thought it was a joke when Harry Chikandira the Action Aid Programes officer told us that we were going to translate the child massages and help in renaming the child sponsorship photos. I looked at the place we are coming from which is completely a remote place and I never trusted one of us to march the standard of translation of about 450 child massages that were going to be read by people from overseas.

I was however proved wrong when I saw Harry Chikandira and his colleague Alepha coming to train us on message translation. When the training started most of us were expecting to go straight and start practicing writing but it was a different story when Harry started to give us a strong foundation on the following:

 Understanding of AAIM by the youths –Mission, vision, values

How Action aid get its source of funding.

Processes followed in child sponsorship management

Supporter needs dissatisfaction and appreciation to continue with the link.

Community expectation and roles in the management and utilization of the funds

After that I felt motivated to and encouraged to start off the training as I felt that I was obligated to do so and it was part of my duty to help translate the child messages. The background of child sponsorship motivated the rest of the activista team to give their best during the training.

After the training we however went on to translate about 450 messages and renamed photos on computer with the help of the computer literacy skills we were trained by the Action aid inspirator Ayanda it was easy for us to grab fast on how to rename them when Harry taught us.

two activistas translating massages.

Our activista group has been cemented during the past 5 months having an inspirator and the child massages translation put concrete on us and we will never be the same again. I now believe if action aid’s motto is saying “lets end poverty together” despite our location, level of education and age these action aid ambassadors are enriching us and empowering us. 

by albert sakala

Problem Fixed, Case Opened

 

situation before activista intervention

 

 

 Every problem which was created has its  own solution, citizen of Kanjuchi especially pregnant mothers are now seeing the situation at Mkoma hospital normal. This follows the initiative by the Activisita,s  of renovating the guardians shelter of which now is a success story. The situation was worst at the hospital but now effort has been made and the lives of unborn babies on stake are now saved. Everyone was happy to see the guardian shelter dressing its original attire, but to manage this it was not easy people worked hard and fought including the TA Khosolo was in fore front in making sure that the situation changes for the better. Tideco executive and khosolo women forum joined the Activista;s by contributing their labour of which has also contributed to the victory we are cerebrating now. Activista youth also urged the community to make sure that politicians are not teasing them any more in times of campaigns .The innocent infants and even the guardians were languishing in the hospital on behalf of this uncaring aspiring MP.

 The traditional authority also advised the community not to trust much on politicians as they are fortune seekers who are doing development works in connection with money and a position  this is total violation of human rights. Be it any election or well wishers no single person should dare to think of destroying government property. As activista we will make sure that the man who did this evil the law should take its course.

Its painful to see that this problem was killing us softly, the councilor and other political leaders were just watching and not even affected, all what we see are propagandas by our leaders that they serve their own interest which is just accumulating fans and worth. Now it is time to say no to these kinds of malpractices as roofing it again was not a jock, helping the community of Kanjuchi  now we will make sure that the one helping has full resources for the project and must be traceable as with the case with aspiring MP who changed his contacts just from the moment he failed to make it for the office. The hospital is for us and without it we are going to have poor healthy as when one is sick has no where to go so we will fight too and nail to make sure Right to good healthy is not violated and even right to life as it is violated indirectly since people die untreated.

 

team that fixed the roof of the shelter....after intervention by activista

Kanjuchi pride to see the shelter roofed but its enough to those people with intentions to vandalize community resources i n the name of campaigns. We must be  responsible enough this is our community we like it or not we were born here we will rather die and be buried here. Every one should learn to love his community in this Kanjuchi.   

Activista FC lifts up the second Human Rights Soccer Tournement championship

On 27^th and 28^th of February 2015 ,it was the days for the citizen of kanjuchi to remove  mist in their eyes where by the event organized by tideco youth activita were taking place and this events is called promoting human rights through sports.

activists pause for a photo with Councillor

At the beginning 8 teams were competing, and it was a knock out stages where by the winner were qualifying to the semi –finals and at this day more than 1000 people came to support their teams.

the crowd witnessing finals of the event

Although people attend like this at first day, the semi-finals attended by double amount of people attend from different sides of the community and the activista were happy to mobilize such vast number of people attending the events.

action aid inspirator in action during the finals

But not only , as people were attending the activista tideco their aim of organizing this tournament was to campaign against a number of things like fight against corruption , campaign against early marriage , campaign to promote quality education in both primary and secondary school and telling the community the importance of youth participation.

Youths must not be used like condoms the have a say in development

activist questioning authorities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  At first, it was head to head of the activista tideco and local community leaders in which activista’s were looking the local leaders that they are not performing and not doing favors for them to participate as in democratic government could behave, then the local leaders were also seeing the youth as they can contribute nothing on any idea assembling concerning to development and also local leaders thinks that youth are making noise when they complaining.

Later time came when these youth activisita manage to meet the traditional authority khosolo who is the most leader of power in the community and discus with him on the problems of youth and how youth are needed , but not only also the power that we have to contribute on development activities.

Traditional Authority Khosolo at the meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to understanding of this most powerful leader at the same time he offloads other power to youth activista so that they should organize a meeting that were consists of politicians from different parties, group village head men’s leaders of different church’s , civil servants , citizens and including the traditional authority which had never happen in the community  in the recent years before activista exist.

chairperson of Activista addressing the stakeholders

On the date of the meeting the TA examine himself by highlighting that he starts working as chief while he was young in aim to remove the spirit of undermine youth in the community and say opposite to those politicians and other leaders of different departments that were eliminating youths contributions, and the TA continue to advise those elderlies that they should respect youth because we are all equally as human rights says and also in democratic government you need to listen to issues raised by the citizens which youth are included

Then since the meeting be held leaders are now respecting youths rights because they are participating in decision making that can contribute to development and also human rights are more exercised since leaders have been understand that youth are leaders of today and tomorrow. 

compiled by albert sakala