sayosays

Volunteerism in Kenya is gaining traction and I am happy to have been part of this journey (read my story on how I began volunteering at 16 years here ) . A few days ago the President Uhuru Kenyatta invited Kenyans to offer volunteer services on December 5th as part of celebrations to mark International Volunteer Day . Very soon we will be launching the national volunteerism policy. All these developments herald a new dawn for the volunteerism sector in the country. I sat down with KBC Tv's Sam to discuss these new developments and what they mean for the country. Watch the interview and share your thoughts. Kenya is among the few African countries to come up with a homegrown volunteerism policy. The policy aims to not only recognize volunteerism and its contribution to GDP but also celebrate and protect the rights of volunteers, volunteer involving organizations and beneficiaries. A copy of the policy is available on the Ministry of Labor website http://www.labour.go.ke/reso

In February last year, I received a call from the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) ’s Information Manager that I had been selected for the Fredskorpset (FK) Fellowship exchange program. In my new capacity as an FK Fellow I was required to move to Uganda and execute communication and research duties at FEMNET’s partner Development Research and Social Policy Analysis Center (DRASPAC). Yes to a New Life On 19th April 2015, I travelled to Uganda to begin this new exciting journey. First stop was the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe where I was to attend a 2 week preparatory course organized by FK. There, I got to meet fellows from different countries. Everybody seemed equally excited and upbeat. I met my Tanzanian colleague Samora with whom we would be working at DRASPAC and Isabella and Janet, the two Ugandan fellows with whom we were being exchanged. That day I also met my roommate Assumpta, a Ugandan lady who was a nurse by profession. Assumpta

Has social media helped or derailed advocacy for women's rights? What opportunities does social media present for women and youth? How can young people effectively use social media? Why do Kenyans and Ugandans on Twitter keep picking on each other? I sat down with Urban Tv's  Dan Mumbere to discuss this and more. Watch the clips below and share your thoughts: Part 1: Part 2: