Judy Annet Interview

Please tell us about yourself?

My name is Judyannet Muchiri. A Sociologist by training, a Community Activist by choice and a bookaholic by nature. I am passionate about community development and use words and pictures to effect development at the community level. I am a writer, a global change maker and an African Crusader.

What is the name of the community outreach project you involved in? And what is it all about?

Life Skills Oasis Kenya is a community based group that seeks to empower children and young people living in the slums and on the streets with basic survival skills. We mentor children and ensure they remain in school and take those in the streets back to school. Young people are encouraged to start alternative income generating activities instead of resulting to crime to earn a livelihood.

When did it start? What motivated you to start this project?

The group was started in the year 2009. Together with two other friends we realized that organizations in Thika, Kenya were concentrating their operations within children’s homes and rehabilitation centers and in the process children living in slums who are equally vulnerable were overlooked. We decided to go to the people in the slums and work with them from their community.

What is the purpose this project?

The project seeks to empower children and young people living in the slums. Since they are surrounded by conditions that hinder rather than encourage them to thrive, we come in and give them a sense of direction. We train them in the areas of HIV/AIDS, Drug and Substance Abuse, Responsible Sexual Behaviours, Personal Hygiene, Self Respect and Esteem, Dreams and Talents, Environmental Conservation and the Power of Ambition.

What do you want to achieve with project?

We want to see as many children living in the slums go through school successfully, proceed to Secondary School and then to the University. Education is central to upward mobility and we want to ensure that they get access to quality education. Secondly, we want to see young people actively taking part in activities that earn them a living and empower them to take part in building their local community.

What were some of the challenges you faced as a young person starting your own project?

The fact that we were working on uncharted territories was a big challenge but with the response we got from the local community we were able to keep going, one step at a time. Getting the stakeholders who work in the children sector in Thika to believe in our idea was also a challenge but in time they have become valuable partners.

How has the journey being like so far?

It has been a great learning experience. When we started I had no idea that I would be doing this for the rest of my life but having come so far and witnessed the local community transform I am sure I will be a community activist for life. Despite the many challenges we encounter, we have transformed with the community we serve.

How has the community benefited from the project?

The community has seen most of the children successfully go through primary school, which was not the case before we started working there. Young women and young men now have alternative sources of income; they have set up small businesses with the guidance of the group and are able to earn a means of livelihood. Recently we rolled out an environmental awareness program where we sensitize the people in the slums to take charge of their environment and take care of it. We have done several clean-ups in the slum.

What has been some of your biggest achievements yet?

Having mentored children, having them go through school and come back to be mentors to the rest of the younger children is one of our major achievements since this was the goal when we started the group. Last year we were also able to host an event to celebrate the girl child in the first ever UN International Day of the Girl. We have also managed to partner with well wishers at the local and global level to implement projects in the slum and have successfully run these projects.

What do you think are some of the challenges facing African youth today?

The biggest challenge to the youth is Alienation from the Nation building process. What I call the ‘You are the leaders of tomorrow paradox’ For a long time now we the young people in Africa have trusted other people to build our country yet we have everything it takes to actively build and lead our nation.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In five years time Life Skills Oasis Kenya will have developed a system of mentors that will serve not only Kiandutu Slum but other slums in Kenya which are out of Nairobi. We will be serving a wider network of communities. I see myself as an active community activist at the centre of this. 

What would you like to change about Africa today?

Africa should not be changed; it is the people living in Africa- Africans- that need to change. I would like to change the mindset of Africans through Human Development Projects.

What advice do you have for young people who want to start their own project?

No one ever did anything by sitting on the couch and thinking how much they want to do something. If it is your passion, go out and do it and with time your efforts will be rewarded. Action is the Key word.

How one can get involved in the project?

We encourage people, especially young people from all over the world to partner with us. We welcome people who share a common passion for community development to join us either as volunteers, mentors, sponsors and friends. When children interact with young people who are doing well in life; a seed is planted in them. This seed when nurtured gives us a future generation that we will be proud of.

How can other youth connect with you?

People can get in touch with me through: Life Skills Oasis Group (Facebook) @judyannetM (Twitter)