Cohort 28 Commencement Day Photo design: Meskith Creations |
The soothing music, to
the romantic dinner lights and the well decorated food was an indicator of
Celebration. Talent and creativity is what most cohort 28 participants
exhibited during their four week stay at Kenyatta University, Nairobi. It
clearly came out today from their attires to their music compositions and
instrumentals.
The participants had
gotten fully engaged with the roundtable helping them to have a feel of each
other and what they are passionate about. From their faces you could tell they
were involved in meaningful conversations and the drinks just added a sparkle
of the same.
The night was cool, and
fresh and so were the transformed young leaders, but let me take you back a
bit.
Leading the YALI anthem
(Yet to be confirmed anthem), “We are YALI”, Dowe Music & Arts Director,
Douglas Ogutu received good reception from his fellow YALI Participants. With
its simple rhythmical lyrics, everyone found it easy to sing along.
Talent! Talent! African
Talent is prevalent! The commencement ceremony was all in jubilation from the
participants to the staff and the outside publics. The atmosphere was adorned
with the aura of warmth and love. The feeling of ‘we actually did it’. The
feeling of ‘we are the ones who stand for change’. The feeling of ‘I am a
transformed’ young leader was all up in the air. It was not just about
happiness of finishing the program but also the understanding that the
participants had been equipped well enough for causing positive change wherever
they go. Apart from keeping in tabs not to be in the wrong hands of the
disciplinary personnel, Imran, the program was just as intense. This was just
the end of the beginning.
All happy and
rejuvenated, the young crowd was empowered. The change maker voice, skills and
tactics that were being inculpated for the last four weeks could evidently
be seen and one could read between the lines.
What made them more
confident about and challenged at the same time was Dr. Robert Nakiro’s
speech of the day. The guest speaker was articulate and send the message
home.
With over 10 years of experience
as a medical practitioner, Dr. Robert Nakiro gave some intelligent insights to
the participants and posed a challenge to them. It was up to them to start
practicing what they had gained not later but from the very same day.
The change should have
already begun in the mind and what set goals the young leaders are going to
impact on. One take away from the president of the Centre of Research and
education is
“Work hard and let success introduce you… the
world doesn’t owe you anything just because you are a youth.”
Wisdom put together with
experience and passion to see young people grow was all that could sum up the
eloquently spoken Dr. Nakiro.
Yali made it even more
fun for the participants by recognizing some of the efforts they made during
the four-week course. Certificates were awarded to the different participants
that had their exceptional abilities stand out. mean who knew James Kinuthia ( Director,Meskith Creations) from Kenya could be a target person for the award of a volunteer to the planet Mars. His
kind heart was exceptionally discovered and was voted for the award. This was
just one of the many fun certificates presented to some including Yusuf Bwango
from Tanzania who has noted of having exceptional capabilities of being a
radio presenter.
Bidding farewell is
never easy especially if you have bonded with people for some time. Sharing
meals with the same people every day, having constructive conversations and a
bit shrugging of shoulders here and there during group discussion was all that
created memories. Memories were created out of those mere small yet bigger
activities of our lives.
We all know it is never
a celebration unless a cake is cut. The event was topped up with a cake cutting
session, thanks to a section of cohort 27 participants who made it all
memorable. Emotional it was, until young leaders had to part later in the day
to impact on their various communities.
The writer of this post, Anita, is a YALI RLCEA
Cohort 28 member and a violin student at
DoweMusic &Arts
It was a great experience, and we are ready to bring a positive change in the community. #westandforchange
ReplyDeleteAmazing, yes, westandforchange
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