Daraja Academy

Education, education, education, is the future of Africa! and this video just brilliantly highlights that. Young people coming from disadvantaged backgrounds being given a hope for the future, through the acquistion of knowledge, is what africa is need of. The passion for education in the students is moving and inspiring, if only Daraja academy could be replicated throughout the whole continent.

ONE

ONE just recently launched a new media campaign featuring some well known names such as Bono, Idris Elba, Jessica Alba and George Clooney. The campaign is trying to get as many people to sign the petition to be handed to the G20 world leaders this November.... Hmmm so i have my doubts about the whole campaign and whether it will really change the leaders attitudes or increase real commitment but at least it raises awareness that there is still an ongoing famine in the Horn of Africa.

What do you think......

Prof Julia Ojiambo

There are many remarkable women in Africa, young and old and i hope to be featuring them regularly on the blog. My first lady is known as Proffesor Julia Ojiambo.
There are many reasons why this lady is remarkable especially as a woman who pursued her academics when it was frowned upon for girls to attend school. Breaking many barriers, she has gone on to achieve several firsts in her life and still today continues to fight for women's rights.

Julia Ojiambo from Luke Younge on Vimeo.

• Studied Public health at Harvard University
• First female lecturer at Nairobi University in the 1970s
• First female MP from western province in Kenya
• First female Assistant Minister for Housing and Social Services

In her own words Prof Julia Ojiambo higlights what it has been like and you can read the rest of the insightful article here

"the struggle is interesting and much as it is fraught with challenges, some that have proved insurmountable, but in overall terms, it has been satisfying. I've enjoyed every moment of it. It has been worth it."

Shuga is back!

Kenyan entertainment can be quite dull when highlighting serious issues facing the youth as it can come off as a very dire documentary. However Shuga, a 3 part drama series on HIV, drugs and alcohol, went and destroyed all that because for once entertainment was first and then the education on these issues was highlighted. (flawlessly)

The use of media in targeting the youth has in the past been extremely under-utilised, but there seems to be a shift shown by the growing number of shows addressing social issues. With media becoming more influential in the lives of young people, it is tools such as Youtube and other social media that will become crucial in communicating to the youth.

Although for me the most exciting part of Shuga coming back is its mentoring programme for young people in areas including directing, producing and acting. Anyone who saw Shuga series 1 knows that the show has been by far one of the best productions to come out of Kenya, hopefully suggesting that in the future we can look forward to greater quality shows.

Countdown begins for the series titled love, sex and money which is to be aired on the 14th of February 2012 but if you missed the last series here is a link to catchup

Shuga Episode 1 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

It's the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.

- Wangari Maathai

The wonders of technology in Africa, a solar powered phone provided by MTN on lake Victoria.

Photo courtesy of abaporu http://www.flickr.com/photos/abaporu/532632943/

Timaya - plantain Boy

Only just discovered this song but i loveee it and for many young people in Africa, hopefully this will be their story transitioning from being a plaintain boy to a rich boy.