Voices from Our Village

We hosted a team of secondary school students who were interested in Kenya Connects work, including the Wings Poa Reusable Sanitary Pad Program. The students were inspired by our work and are interested in giving back in their urban community by raising funds to purchase kits to distribute.

Members of Kenya Connect's Environmental Clubs are joined by Eco Champion Brian Mateli, who oversees the clubs, and a club patron. Learn about the clubs' activities and how it is inspiring a new generation of earth champions.

Executive Director, USA Sharon Runge and US Board Members Blair Villa and Lindsay Kincaid are the special guests on "Voices from Our Village." They are joined by Patrick Munguti and Cyrus Wambua to discuss Kenya Connect's upcoming 5K Race in Maryland and Virtually from around the world on March 28th and the October Running to Read Festival. Enjoy this lively discussion on why both events build community while raising funds to support Kenya Connect's work.

Join library team Esther Muinde and Rael Mutunge as they share the power of a Read Aloud. This episode also features three champion readers, Regina, Miriam and Ian, who share what it's like to be a Radio Read Aloud star. An added bonus is the three students reading Lupita Nyong'o's book, "Sulwe." This is a beautiful episode that celebrates World Read Aloud Day and the joy and wonder of books.

This is a must listen of the World Robotics Olympiad Lobster Team sharing their reflections from their journey to Singapore to compete in the International Competition.

During the school break, Cyrus Wambua was joined by a group of students in the Kenya Connect podcast studio. It was the first time for these students to see the studio and to learn how the podcast equipment works. During their learning session, the students recorded themselves as Cyrus asked some questions. It's a delightful exchange.

Six of Kenya Connect staff members attended Kenya Connect partner schools and benefitted from some of our programs. This episode highlight Brian Mateli and Rael Mutunge's experience with the PenPal program and other projects and how they became part of Kenya Connect's staff.

In celebration of World Teacher's Day, we have a special podcast hosted by Patrick Munguti, Director of Education and Technology. Patrick talks with Kenya Connect's Coordinator of Quality Education and four teachers about creating a joyful classroom, how teaching has changed to meet today's needs and the importance of teachers.

Listen to three women who are part of Kenya Connect's LitMom program. They will share insights about the program and how the income generation component is making a difference for them and their children.

As you tune into this special episode, please realize you can hear it. As you will learn, not all children are born with full hearing abilities. Kenya Connect is partnering with the Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss (GFCHL) to provide early screening to children in rural Kenya. In this episode, you will learn why this is important and how GFCHL is making a difference through training health care professionals, parents and teachers on the importance of early screening.

In June, Kenya Connect partnered with LitWorld to pilot the Memory Keepers story and writing project with secondary school students. This program was implemented by visiting Gupta Family Foundation Scholars who were volunteering and Pathways Co-Coordinator, Sharon Mwende. This episode explores the MSU students experience with Kenya Connect, the Memory Keeper's project and secondary school students sharing their stories.

Kenya Connect partners with The School Fund, a non-profit that supports students with scholarships for secondary school. Tune-in to hear three graduates of the TSF program who have graduated from university and are working in education and the banking industry.

Enjoy hearing the reflections of village elders Justus Ngila and Raphael Thyaka. They talk about life and education in Wamunyu.

Meet Angela, Winnie and Magdaline, the Kenyan World Robotics Olympiad Champions! Their lively conversation gives you a glimpse how they went from never using a computer to robotics champion with the help of Kenya Connect.

We are grateful for our superstar staff, our partner teachers, parents, and students, and the many donors who make our work possible. Tune into this heartfelt podcast to hear how members of our staff; James Musyoka, Faith Doucette, Prima Kiloko, David Kimanzi, Esther Muinde and Monicah Kyalo are grateful. We also hear from LitMom Elizabeth and TSF student, Charles, who has benefitted from programming and scholarship funds. This is a heartwarming episode.

Kenya Connect was founded with as a PenPal program to connect children from around the world. Over 20 years later, Kenya Connect students and students from around the world are sharing their lives through the power of a letter. Tune in to hear how this program is bridging the world!

Quality Education is at the forefront of our work. Teachers make all the difference and at Kenya Connect, we have been providing enriching and robust professional development programs to provide teachers with additional tools, knowledge, and resources. We know that every child needs a quality education to get the skills they'll need for their futures and a teacher is at the heart of it. Tune into learn about our work from Director of Education and Technology, Patrick Munguti, and Professional Learning Coordinator, Rebecca Akinyi Migwambo.

Join guest host, Waihiga Muturi, Africa Program Advisor for Global Giving in this podcast on the importance of Community Led NGOs. He was joined by Judge Peter Herbert, Political Activist and Co-Chair of Bandu Africa and our Co-Founder and Executive Director, James Musyoka. This dynamic podcast discusses giving, trust, collaboration, and the importance of local engagement.

Creating pathways for students is one of our pillars. With the support of HerShot led by Nataki Hewling, girls at the Mbaikini Girls School are learning about photography. Tune in to hear about this brilliant program!

In this episode, listeners will learn about Kenya Connect's work to decrease unplanned teen pregnancy and gender-based violence through the Girl/Boy Empowerment Program, Parent Program and Advocacy Component. Tune in to hear how we are working to shift the culture of one that looks the other way to one that is helping girls and women stay safe.

Tune in to learn about our work to strengthen Pre-PrePrimary Teacher Professional Development through a residency with Teaching Artists from the Center for Education at Wolf Trap.

Tune in to learn about Kenya Connect's work to support girls by providing locally made Wings Poa Reusable Sanitary Pad Kits.

Our last two episodes highlighted our LitMom and LitClub programs. Episode 4 discusses our library programs including School Library Days, our physical library of 45,000+ books, and our other programs to build a culture of reading. You will hear from Librarian Esther Muinde, Teacher Veronica, Student Joelene and Parent Kioko.

Last month you heard about LitClubs in episode 2. This month, you will hear from LitMom Elizabeth about how the LitMom program has transformed hers and her families lives.

Voices from Our Village Episode Two is hosted by Sharon Mwende, Literacy Program Assistant and Makerspace Coordinator and features LitClubs, one of our programs that is building a culture of reading in Wamunyu. You will hear from a LitClub member, his mother and his teacher. Be inspired and be ready to hear how this program has transformed Isaac.

Voices from our Village Episode One is hosted by Rebecca Akinyi Migwambo, Professional Learning Coordinator and features Co-Founder and Executive Director James Musyoka and Director of Technology and Education, Patrick Munguti who provide a snapshot about Kenya Connect and their hopes and dreams for the future.