DAY TWO – AFTERNOON SESSION
Today’s afternoon session was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I didn’t realize just how many more organizations there are trying to rectify the ills and short falls in society. But at the same time on the other hand I was even more amazed at how many organizations seek coverage from media houses.
The most amazing of it all was Prossy. She came all the way from Uganda to find out how her organization can go about getting more publicity on their current mandate to protect women and children from abuse in all its forms.
I could sense the frustration from inadequate media coverage and in some cases blatant corruption from Kenyan media houses and journalists. I felt embarrassed. It was repulsive to hear how widespread corruption is in Kenya. And the compromise it has brought in reporting.
Lindy of the Project Africa foundation was double disappointed, both having faced a similar situation when calling the press for press conferences. And also when she vied in a past by- election; were she was snubbed by the press. There had been 9 candidates vying for a parliamentary seat; but only three prominent candidates were interviewed at the expense of six other candidates.
It clearly demonstrated the challenge in the partiality of Kenyan media driving a biased agenda. I felt challenged to be part of the journalists who can change that.
But Jina and Wairimu were quick to point out that there was also a need for NGOs to work on better structured press releases and also work on their media strategies more creatively.
Just as in yesterday’s session, I got a huge truckload of more story ideas. I am so excited I can scream. And I know it’s going to get better this evening.
DAY TWO – EVENING SESSION
The evening was even grander than I thought. There was a team of amazing panelists in the first session. Helen Nyambura was quite an interesting panelist to have both Kenyan and a journalist with Reuters. She brought t to the fore that there really is no way to run away from the typical ‘fly filled, starving child, with corrupt governments in war torn states’ image. But she did state that there was an importance in balanced reporting.
But what really got my head spinning and thinking about what kind of journalist I would like to be was what Karen Rothmyer’s statement. She said that there a few to none, female journalists in hard news here.
I know I have the energy, courage and determination to do any of this kind of reporting. Maybe not politics, I think it is overrated, but maybe just maybe it is time for me to set the pace for other upcoming female journalists.
In the second session I was amazed by Rachel Gichinga’s organization. Kuweni Serious (Swahili for, Get serious). The 125 girls in 100 days project was amazing. The project has taken on 125 teenage girls from slum areas in Nairobi where. And with the help of young volunteers, mostly University graduates, from across Nairobi teach these young girls on technology and mechanical projects to empower them and alleviate them from their plight. You can get more from http://www.kuweniserious.org/.
It’s just one of the many ways that Kenyan women are making a difference throughout the country. Kuweni Serious’ ideology is to fight apathy amongst the Kenyan youth. As Rachel says, ‘Kuweni serious is fighting the evil forces of apathy.’ And this they strive to achieve through participation.
I think as journalists and members from the NGO sector, we were more awed than anything else by what the other represented organizations such as ushahidi.com and Kwani Trust where doing. Just making use of alternative media to change the face and perception of Kenyans and Africans towards Africa.
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