Dowe Music Band in Nairobi during the Art4Leadership at the American Corner, Moi University, Nairobi Campus
Receive our warm regards
Right from the registration of the students in the first
week of the year, through the Art4Leadership events which kicked off on 19th
January, to the participation of our director in the Transformational
Leadership training at Yali Regional Center East Africa, Kenyatta University
which made him an alumni, we can only say thank you to everyone that made it
possible.
The year started on a top notch with everyone at the academy
working towards one goal: Excellence. We are grateful to the many partners that
have joined Dowe Music & Arts amnong whom include New Life Home Trust,
Kenya National Library Services, AFLEWO Nakuru, American Spaces, Nakuru Youth
Bunge, Yali RLC EA, Yali Nakuru and the most recent Credit Bank. To the
individual persons that we may not mention names in this post, we want you to
know that your immense support made us stand tall.
Special regards go to Oxygene Company and by extension to
Njoro Inuka Youth Group for according the opportunity for participation in the
Future of Food Conference at Safari Park Hotel. Check the postThere are sensible youths out therefor details on the same. We are really grateful
for the UN through their United Nations On Drugs and Crime for the conference
at the Kenyan UN offices where the director was part of the team drafting a
framework of resolutions by youths to foster positive change in the country. It
was in this that Credit Bank awarded Dowe Music & Arts an innovation award.
The year ends up with a promise of presenting a success card
to 2019 as we joined Yali Nakuru team in the end year party, of course,
providing live music entertainment. Our last performance was a presentation at
Nakuru Girls High school during a wedding of one of the celebrated South Africa’s
dance, by the name Maki. The colorful wedding saw the congregants enjoy violin
music with romantic titles such as Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, John Legend’s
famous All of Me and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.
What more can we say? To the team at Dowe Music & Arts, we
haven’t reached yet; thank you for the resilience.Much thanks to our new content writer and
student for making it eaven easier. Anita, God bless you. Our ultimate gratitude
goes to the almighty God! See you all in 2019!
November 2014 is the month I got a link from a High School friend
for Mandela Washington Fellowship. Now if you have ever applied for this
program you know well that this was an expired link. Let me just say I
discovered this after days of gathering thoughts on what to write. I was
however happy that there was an option to join the network through email.
In November 2017, while working on my brand Dowe Music &
Arts and the Art4Leadership Initiative, I saw a poster about a program in the
Kenya National Library Nakuru Branch.The facilitator was Maureen Changawa (MWF2017),
and there were YALI Logos. I recalled then that at some point while I was
training a music band at Geothermal Development Company, Maureen had mentioned that she’d be away from
June. This brought to a halt a recording project we had started. Learning that
in fact what she was leaving for was MWF made me more interested in the
program. Well, I had signed up for all platforms on social media and even done
courses in YALI but I had never thought there was anyone in Nakuru who knew
about it.
Maureen (MWF 2017) addressing youths during
Art4Leadership Concert
As it is my custom, I carried my violin and thankfully to
the moderator, Mr. Joseck Olala (YALI RLC Cohort 25), I got an opportunity to
perform. This opened the next uncountable opportunities. We discussed after the
event and he was enthusiastic about an artiste who had an agenda for sound
leadership.
Towards the end of the month, the US embassy organized an
information session headed by Mr. George Kamau (Chairman, American Spaces) on
YALI LEARNS that I must say helped me understand the program better. That is
the time I reached out to Christine (one of the Facilitators) asking her whether
YALI could accommodate a musical event. The response I got was so welcoming
that I immediately started planning for the concert a month before. With her
help in inviting participants through mail, the attendance was so overwhelming
that the chief Librarian asked me to limit the number to sixty in future
events. This was on 19th January 2018.
It suffices to say that this event was the start of a
broadened network both within and without Nakuru county, and by extension
without Kenya. As Dowe Music & Arts we have carried out more than eight
Art4Leadership events in partnership with YALI and the Kenya National Library. One
needs to know that I did not wait to become and alumni to start the events. It
is actually almost impossible to become vibrant just because you have graduated
from a fellowship. The drive needs to be in you.
Yali Nakuru Chapter has become a family that I never had.
Since February, every cohort has had three to four participants from Nakuru. We
have grown not just in numbers but in impact. If you are active on social media
especially the YALI Network, we don’t let a week go without an event. We are a
team. We are formidable. We are selfless. We are servants and we are deliberate
in our actions. If you think I am just blowing fetish kisses, dare to visit us
in any of the events. We understood what commencement day meant.
After Setting 2019 Strategy
As we wrap up the year, we just did a successful tree
planting last week on Jamhuri Day. We planted over four hundred trees in Ngata
and Milimani Primary Schools. The video in this post will show you the kind of
energy these young souls exhibit. Thankfully, God has given us talents which
are really appreciated. We always have music in our events. Who would think
that a Design Thinking Workshop would require music?
A tune for the seedling?
Just yesterday, I was among the panelists evaluating Design
Challenge Prototypes by 47 youths from Nakuru, courtesy of Knls. Other
panelists were Oliver Jemuge (Chairperson) and Catherine Lagat (Events
Coordinator) The facilitators of the three week program were Joseck Olala (cohort
25) and Joseph Njinju (cohort 28). Apart
from other awards, one participant got a partial scholarship to learn any
musical instrument at Dowe Music & Arts. Isn’t life getting better?
After Tree Planting, More sense through Music
We are not missing out on cohort 29 commencent coming Friday
21st 2018. Njinju and I will be welcoming the new leaders in the
Yali Alumni. See you there if you make it. Stay tuned to this platform for more
inspirational stories.
Mrs. Pamela Mutembei, Head of Business and Marketing,
Credit Bank awards Dowe Music &Arts
A
rare opportunity it was to represent Nakuru County, YALI Network as well as DoweMusic & Arts in the United Nations on Drugs and Crime initiative targeting
the youths in Kenya. The conference, themed as NATIONAL YOUTH WORKSHOP ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, INTEGRITY AND
ANTICORRUPTION took place between 5-7th December 2018. I must
confess that this is a spectacular move by the UN organizations and must needs
not stop. 250 young people were selected from a pool of 2000 aspirants to spearhead
the unanimous resolve of embracing good governance and saying no to corruption,
a menace that has eaten up Kenya so bad that it is still classified as an
underdeveloped country.
Nairobi Governor (Left) Arriving
We
have always stated in our Art4Leadership Events that the
youths have all it takes to course positive change that will last not only in
Africa but the world at large. It was a great honor to meet young people who organized
this event led by Ms. Wambui Kahara.
Throughout the event, one could only admire as well as get inspired by the
synergy, unction and the zeal exhibited by the young leaders as they ran up and
down to ensure that the delegates had a conducive environment. ‘Life' between
the UN setting and the choice hotels was amazing as the participants interacted
freely, aired their opinions and provided valuable feedback whenever required
to.
Dignitaries,
including Nairobi’s Governor Mr. Sonko applauded the youths for their efforts.
His testimony on the past criminal life was moving and at the same time
motivational. He reminded the youths thus:
Your
past should not dictate your future.
Madam
Charity Kagwi, an expert on matters Criminal Justice shocked us with statistics
on the number of youths in jail. Isn’t it a concern that 68.5% of the cell
occupants are 35 years below of age? Isn’t it even more disturbing that the
youths are leading in the population of drunkards and a
rendered-useless populace generation? Who shall save us if not our own resolve?
The point is, we as the young people have the energy to say no to vices. We
have the drive to channel our energies in the right direction. We cannot rely
on the passing generation entirely anymore since some of them could even be
worse. We are the hope of our time. Let us arise. Now is the time, what are you
waiting for?
Mrs. Charity Kagwi, On Urban Crime and Criminal Justice
Being an
artiste, I must say it was impressive of the organizers for the opportunities
they gave musicians, poets and visual artistes to teach the youths. Teardrop
made it clear that most of the spaces we see labeled as CORRUPTION FREE ZONES are in fact Corruption FEE Zones. As J.F. Kennedy would put it, an artiste’s
work is the lens through which the society can see itself. One can quickly
recall Sauti Sol’s Tujiangalie vis a vis the current scandals in Kenya. This
begs the question, what do you listen out for in Music, a drawing or a poem? We
were also happy to wrap the session with the celebrated songbird WAHU who led us in
Eric Wainaina’s Daima Mkenya before public demand dictated that she does her
Sweet Love tune. I mentioned the other day that artistes are not just empty shells. They are reliable people that can give counsel to the society. This is what Juliani did. His message was clear that we have to go beyond eloquence and academic accomplishments to provoke change. We must get tired of the norm! The same message would be echoed later by a another artiste in the paint world, Mr. Mukabwa.
Since I
hadn’t asked prior to the conference as to whether i would perform, there was no way I’d be slotted
in the program because I was just a delegate, known by none as an artiste.
However, attire will always tell, especially accompanied by a guitar or violin.
One of the correspondences, Mr. Timothy asked me whether I’d play during the
conference. I’m sure you know the answer.
Well, thanks to fellow YALI Alumni from Nakuru and cohort 28 who joined
me at Trade Mark Hotel on the second night. With time, we had a crowd singing
to some of the compositions like Say No to Poor Leadership, Mimi Na Wewe and
Carry On. Out of nowhere, someone spotted Hon. Amb. (Dr.) Amina,
Cabinet Secretary for Education. She joined us listening to the message we put
across about the resolve to cause relevant change in Africa. The following day
is when I got an opportunity to sing the same song to 130 youths tackling Urban
Crime and Criminal Justice.
By mid-morning Friday, the framework document we had been
working on was ready for presentation to the UN and the Government. This is a
sign that we have sensible youths in this country. News about appointment of a 91-year-old
in a board kept disturbing the youthful champions. The president’s remark on the same however taught me something. We both hate each other; the youth and the
elderly. No one trusts the other. This must stop. As much as there are errand
boys and girls in here, we only remain naive if we box everyone in the same
basket of rotten eggs. Conversely, the fact that we have senseless and foolish old
chaps in this country does not invalidate the existence of wise, considerate
and reliable old folks, regardless of their age. For a mutual coexistence, the
elderly and the youths must create an ecosystem of trusting each other. Seeking
to understand the other party is the antidote to the many fights that this
world continues to experience.
Mr. Peter Moll Presenting the youths' resolutions
I was not
prepared for the Recognition of Dowe Music &Arts by Credit Bank. I remember
applying for the $500 grant shortly after completing a course from YALI dubbed Fundamentals of Grant Writing. You can access the course by clicking hereThe
lecturer had quoted the famous line:
One must have written close to 15
applications to win the first one.
This was my third. I didn’t qualify for the
Google Impact challenge, and I am waiting for results for the second one.
Besides the boost from the funds, I wish to let Credit Bank and the UN to know what
the recognition meant to us at Dowe Music & Arts:
We are doing something positive in
the society
Someone is always watching, keep doing
what you were meant to do
The only shortcut to success is
determination for she never stoops
My
heartfelt gratitude goes to the ALMIGHTY GOD. YALI NETWORK, UNDOC, CREDIT BANK
and DOWE MUSIC &ARTS Team.
Ever listened to some soothing music until you get lost in the song and the
lyrics? There is a way music speaks to your situation or relates with you in
person. Music that tells a story, speaks some volumes to your soul and you feel
like I went through that before, or that is the way it is, or you are just
madly in love with this song.
Music is such a broad genre
that comes in different forms and waves. I cannot attest to what good music may
mean to you because variety matters and is different to everyone.
Today am not going to talk
about soul music, pop or Michael Jackson, temporary classic music or whatever
genre you love listening to.
Let me incline you to this side,
of artists who have tried to break the paradigm in the music scene in Kenya and
brought a difference.
This is another Kenyan Gospel
artiste who’s past works can inspire generations. With the recent Groove awards
title under his belt, you and I can agree that his lyrics are worth listening
to. The song ‘Nadeka’ continues to gain fame with the truth
about God’s blessings that are impartial.
One can recall his admonition
to the fellow artistes during the awards season. He reminds the christian folk
that it is all about Christ-first before fame. Having risen against all odds
including jail life (Read the story here: Information Cradle), his
determination to please his master as well as earn a living serves best to
inspire the young generation.
Award winning gospel artiste
and father of two has brought a whole new different approach to gospel music.
Since the release of ‘Niko na reason,’ Eko dyda has risen to be one of the top
performing gospel artists in Kenya.
Starting from a very humble
background, Eko is a huge inspiration to many young people and most importantly
the fear of the Lord. With his hit lyrics, the rap music has stand out in the
gospel industry.
He has attracted more
millenials who would simply love to go to concerts rather than attending
crusades. Either way he spreads the message.
If you are definitely the kind
of person who enjoys a good cup of rap music then you would this lyrics mixed
with some holy verses to supplement your spiritual life.
Alternating between rap and R&b, singer Nyashinski has been hitting the airwaves after
his comeback in 2016. Starting wayback from a trio group Kleptomaniax, they
ruled East Africa with the Kapuka beat back in the late 1990s.
Now working a solo career , Nyanshinski better known as Nyash produces
music with the intent of connecting with people’s situations or rather living a
legacy. The content in his music is purely relatable and speaks to a multitude
.
He has tried to break the
paradigm of not listening to your own local music artists by producing timeless
music and videos. I mean how many couples in Kenya or beyond went to propose
with the tune’ malaika’.? ,or just walked down aisle as the lyrics spoke to
them.
If you are keen to listen to
local music you will have heard of this quartet, Le band comprising of
Fidel Eli Shammah, Ken Mwendwa, Joel Maina and Abe Kiptanui. They are commonly
known by their hit 2017 hit ‘ Number one’ featuring Suzzieh. Making them the
best new artist and video group of the year in the 2017 Pulse Music Awards.
They have been around for three years now majoring in pop music.
Their music outlines the
dynamic nature of finding its voice. They are bringing a new phase into African
music by tapping into its rich past and including catchy lyrics and signature
rhythms.
Le band
is gunning to be an unstoppable force within musical circles. If you are a fun
of African live music this are the people to embrace.
Those
are just some of the many artists trying to make their voice heard in the music
scene. Like i said music is broad. What you listen to may not be what I like.
Either way it speaks, lyrics talks to us , musicians also communicate with us
and there is something more to it than just the title of the song. Their is a
voice in a song.
A section of Participants with the facilitators at the close of the training
You have probably heard of this saying: your network is your net-worth. It has been a great Day at Deloitte the Place in Nairobi Kenya. The company has a great focus on the development of Africa and has put in strategies to ensure that this is not just a mere dream.
Truth be told, I wouldn't have gotten the invite for Africa Impact Movement Day were it not for the connection from Yali Network. The email which had a deadline of one day helped me look into the books of accounts for my business. Among the qualifications was a demonstration that one has a registered business whose returns can be verified.
The training targeted startups with an aim of equipping the young entrepreneurs on matters Strategic planning. Mr. Alex Murage, one of the facilitators challenged us with this truth:
Millions of people are thinking about the same thing you are planning to do. What matters is the Speed of Excecution.
There was an emphasis thoughout the day on the need for good time management in order to achieve success. If things seem not to work say because of change in the environment, one has to embrace agility; the ability to innovate and work around the new status quo instead of just giving up.
The TechTeam (known as TAS) served a great eye opener to me specifically on how to leverage on the invaluable IT tools to ensure security as well as the smooth running of business. The fact that such a successful company has a program to help young people rise up at the right speed speaks volumes on the progress of our continent and it is high time we the youths open our eyes. As stated in our earlier blogs, Dowe Music &Arts is not just about learning musical notes, tones, sentence structure and semantics, we are all about Art4Leadership and that is why we won't let go such opportunities to help spread the word that Africa is indeed on the right course.
As it is with farmers, I never imagine leaving my tools of trade. It was an honor giving an ice breaker of a violin tune before the afternoon session. I am greatful to the Mc of the day, Ms. Halima. This was a great opportunity to meet with Yali Alumni from other cohorts such as Nicodemus cH16, Kevins cH11 (MWF2017) and Lydiah cH1( TAS facilitator), Malik cH27 as well as James Kinuthia from cH28.
Thank you for reading and I hope this inspires you to have a great view of Africa that you have always had.
Part of Inuka Njoro Youth Group with YALI ALUMNI-Nakuru
A section of Panelists
Delegates from Nakuru
Unruly, careless, sexually hypersensitive, unstable,
unfocused and confused are perhaps just some of the adjectives that run in the
mindset of many an old folk when asked to define who a youth is. This could
explain why some cling on the wings of political power as they console the
young aspirants thus: “You are the leaders of tomorrow.” Well the fact that
much of the misconduct in the society is propagated by the youths can- not be
gainsaid.
However, what if the stereotype is locking up our ears and shuttering
our sockets of vision to most young people who indeed have a sense of
direction? What if those who err do so for lack of real mentors who are too
busy amassing wealth in cartels? I am reminded of a verse by King Solomon in
the Bible who said, “Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king
who no longer knew how to take advice…” Eccl 4:13.
It was a privilege attending Future of Food Conference 2018
organised by Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). The invite was courtesy of OXYGENE
company which is an event organizer. Are you curious about how a musician got
into such an Agricultural based forum? This is how: One of my fans has been
attending Art4Leadership events and discovered that despite the fact that I am
a music creator, the discipline is just a tool through which I mentor youths.
In other words, the concerts deal with various topics that are geared towards
youths empowerment- employment and job creation.
Secondly, I have been active
in promoting agribusinesses for the larger part of this year through helping youths
(majority of whom are famers) create blogs and make their work known to the
world. So, if you just thought that a musician is just an empty shell or like a
sounding gong for enticing the rest of the universe then I’m glad you are
reading this. Some of us are deep.
Lenah Mwangi, the leader of Njoro Inuka Youth Group and an
upcoming YALI Alumni (cohort 29) extended the invite which I could not give a
second thought. I mean, food security is a universal matter. The event, graced
by various dignitaries from the ministry of Agriculture and CEOs of renowned
brands such as Mr. Vimar Shah of BIDCO Africa was very informative especially to me
who is still green in matters Agroeconomics. Mr. Maina from the Transnational
Bank sensitized the farmers to work from the market point of view as opposed to
the farm-market traditional approach. This is the essence of design Driven Entrepreneurship,
a course facilitated by YALI Network. Dr. Kalibata, the president of AGRA
challenged the delegates not to stop at initiating; rather, consistency is key
in everything one does.
There were quite a number of youths on the panelist table. I
will mention two for the interest of your time. Ms. Marion Moon, the founder
and MD of WANDA Agriculture stunned all of us with her eloquence and masteryof
the topic : Women. Youth Enterprises in Corporate Supply Chain as Diverse of
Agriculture-led Industrialization in Africa. Using her own story to highlight
some of the challenges faced by women in the quest of attaining economic
prowess, one could see that it is possible to rise against all odds. She
finished her presentation with a challenge to all and sundry thus; “Do what you
can, with what you have.” I quickly paraphrased this in my active brain; boy, you’ve got to start where you are.
In the same panel was Lenah Mwangi, the young vibrant leader
I described above. She is a post graduate student at Egerton University
pursuing Msc. Agribusiness. We would only marvel at the real success stories she
narrated about her youth group. The team outsources knowledge from industry
experts then disseminates it to the local farmer who would otherwise just
remain in ignorance resulting in perennial poor yields. Indeed, a candle loses
nothing by lighting another one. Lenah and her group are such examples of sensible
youths.
Inuka Njoro Youth Group Officials: Lenah and Ciru
A midst the group was a representation of YALI Alumni Kenya,
specifically, the Nakuru Chapter. It was an honor sharing this platform with my
chapter chairlady, Ms. Oliver Jemuge. Her passion for entrepreneurship and
youths empowerment can not be compared to anything. During our briefings with
the team for the two nights, Oliver shared nuggets of wisdom in various aspects
of youth leadership and general personal development. One thing that makes me
hopeful about real change is interacting with youths of such calibre who use
their own stories to impact change. “Guys, I have failed a number of times but
that doesn’t deter me. Failure is part of the process,” she said.
Oliver Jemuge:
YALI Nakuru Chairlady
Was there music during the two days? Yes, why not? I never
miss my guitar or violin, wherever I go. If worse comes to worst, thankfully,
my vocals are always aligned for singing. The first night was more of catch up
as some of us were total strangers. As a matter of fact, Lenah had just seen
Oliver and I on the podium most of the times we facilitated events. We had never
spoken in person. The following night, she asked for permission for me to use the
instrument in the hotel. By the way, it is my nature to find out from the environment
whether or not I am allowed to perform. Not everyone likes what you do. With
the go a head, it was unbeknownst to me that the team couldn’t wait for the
guitar music after our debrief. Lenah said; “Let us pray and then those who want
to listen to music can remain.” The response was unanimous. Prayers would be made
after the musical. This was warm. I felt honoured. That is when I realized that
the song Mimi na Wewe was gaining populace. If you have been following you will
recall the post “THIS IS AFRICA” which I put up a few days after composing it.
My friends and I sang our hearts out upto around midnight.
The difference however was that in the
previous expeditions I was with a group of People we often worked together.
Yesterday, I was with friends from diverse denominations, majority of whom are
Catholic. I continually learn that when Jesus talked of praises being in the
mouth of babes, he did not mention any religion, leave a lone denominations.
My Beautifier by Chris Shalom was one of our praise tune. Check the video below.
Next time you think about a youth, remember this post. There
are sensible young people out there!
