CURRENT POSITION
Volunteer, Active Activist and Mentor
Reaching Out with Compassion in Kibera (R.O.C.K)
Apr 2015 – Present
I am particularly passionate about working with teenagers and seeing them grow and materialise their talents. Especially those from marginalised communities. Helping them visualise, set and achieve their goals has so far given me immense pleasure and so it continues, as we organise activities and build relationships with other organisations through partnerships to help keep the kids of R.O.C.K involved and active in their community. Even though currently based in Germany, I am still active in seeking out resources and opportunities that would benefit the livelihoods of these children.
Through my study with the Amani Institute, I ventured into the world of Aquaponics and set up a miniature prototype at R.O.C.K. This was aimed at teaching my students how to be innovative as well as learn the sciences in a physical manner as we step away from conventional teaching and give them the experiences of skill-based learning. We are located within Olympic Estate in Kibera. The youth we work with are aged between 8 and 20-year-old boys and girls who are truly bright and charming. Volunteers are always welcome. If interested, just reach out below.
Education
Science and Sustainable Practices
University of Hohenheim
Master of Science, Environmental Protection and Agricultural Food Production (Oct 2018 - Present)
An Insect enthusiast who's interests lie in the production af edible insects, specifically the Black Soldier Fly for the manufacturing and production of nutricious and environmentally friendly animal feed suitable for farmed animals such as all classes of poultry, farmed fish and pigs to name the least. I am a firm believer that it is entirely up to me and my kind to help protect the planet in whatever small way we can and coming from a continent that largely relies on meat as a staple to their diet, it is only fair to think of the sustainability of our farming practices as we move on forward in the world.
Amani Institute
Post-Graduate Certificate, Social Innovation Management
(Feb - Dec 2017)
A project-based study program, aimed at developing 21st-century skills and leadership desperately needed in the workplace. Globalisation and technological innovation are bringing about long-term changes in the world economy that are altering the structure of the labour market. To tackle and become a part of this new and emerging world, this course introduced me to the concepts of Innovation. It allowed me to dwell deep within myself through the inner journey of discovering one’s purpose, passions, values and how all these could be intertwined for social good. The course enables you to visualise your need for societal equality and finally become the change you want to see in the world. There is great importance to make an impact, however small, in the community you serve. It's inhumane not to.
University of Botswana
Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
(Aug 2010 - Oct 2014)
A Biology Major who's grad theory studied the effects of ‘Insecticide resistance in the German cockroach (Blatella germanica)'. Very strange topic, but surprisingly informative. The findings of this study were quite interesting and this was my official introduction to the Insect world. since then, I have found working with critters to be interesting and quite therapeutic, especially if they can offer viable solutions to the Animal Feed and farming sectors.
Experiences
Projects
Cricket protein powder to boost health, education and social outcomes in Kenya.
Jan - June 2021
I am happy to announce that we emerged as finalists of the 2021 edition of the Re-think protein challenge offered by Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands (see https://rethinkprotein.nl/) and we are trying to bring back insect protein into the diets of Kenyans.
Sahara, loosely translated means help and this dignifies the change we would like to create and see in the World; a nurturing home, where everyone feels loved and valued.
The current food system is calling for healthy and sustainable diets. Our proposed solution builds upon a tried, tasted and tested indigenous food that is bountiful during climate change disruptions such as heavy rains and flooding. We propose to integrate a sustainable cricket protein powder product with existing ecosystems within the community. Our primary aim is to serve a real, tangible, and urgent human need. The market is open and willing to start with this solution. It is essentially a social enterprise venture and the product; raw material can be sourced from existing suppliers. The time to market necessary to develop the product is extremely short, thanks to the fact we meet a real necessity by giving a simple and high-acceptable solution.
Our vision was to boost health, education, and social outcomes in Kenya with a sustainable protein solution for local malnutrition problems. Our mission is to connect nutritionally underserved communities with the economic markets driven by choice and affluence. We aim to be a social venture with a dual purpose of providing sustainable protein solutions to underserved communities, as well the communities of choice and affluence, and by doing so creating an effective revenue model and economic recycling between the two.
Our primary market is the Kibera slum in Kenya. Because of my previous engagement in the slum, I understand that the Kibera community experiences the double burden of malnutrition, where many children suffer stunting, wasting and illnesses as a result of malnutrition, and the older population suffer from obesity and related chronic illnesses as a result of a high caloric diet that does not provide the essential nutrients for health.
Research & Development Fellow, Sanergy Ltd.
June - Dec 2016
Joined the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) production team where my main duties included research, testing and implementing of new processes with the aim of increasing larval production from 8% to 10% yield.
Responsibilities included setting up and carrying out all BSF feed-stock trials on a lab scale basis so as to eliminate any potentially harmful feeds before implementing the feed-stocks at field scale level. Learnt vital insight on insect rearing processes and how to maintain a year-round fly colony to assist with the constant production of Black Soldier Fly larvae and the resulting insect protein. Data collected was analysed using Microsoft office packages Word and Excel, greatly improving my proficiency in data analysis and report writing.
Aquaponics in Kibera
June 2017 - September 2018
This was the presentation I gave for my Social Innovation Management project prototype submitted in June. In it, I explain my passion for the project, the students and the different opportunities such a method of farming offers to urban centres and growing cities in the World.
ZanaAfrica Pad Distributor & Program Facilitator
August 2017 - September 2018
Through a project partnership that exists between R.O.C.K and ZanaAfrica, I have been appointed as project lead of a pad distribution partnership that has existed between the two, aimed at giving adolescent girls all the materials necessary to always keep them in school. The ZanaAfrica foundation has also provided a training manual for people like me, to help organise and facilitate Reproductive Health Education programs with both our female and male students from R.O.C.K as well as our partner schools.
The journey of Overcoming Anxiety & Doubt
August 2017 - Present
This is a personal look into my life and my daily struggles with anxiety, doubt and the overall role of fitting in.
Having grown up with extremely low self-esteem, it has taken me years to finally understand how the reservations I had about myself growing up, still affects my daily living as an adult.
Since my passion seems to lie in the youth empowerment sector, and having worked with youth between the ages of 13 and 20 in the past two years, I have been awakened to the importance of cultivating the spirit of confidence in them as they grow and evolve into young adults.
My main motivation lies in the fact that in the African setting, openly speaking of depression and mental health issues is largely unheard of, and as a result, a lot of us tend to suffer in silence.
Mine is not a certified mental health issue, but rather a symptom and if left unchallenged, could lead to the manifestation of the disease itself.
It is therefore clear to me that this conversation needs to start to enable me to heal whatever hurt that still resides in me and if my vulnerability is what it takes to help start this conversation and get the message across to my students, then so be it.
LET'S CHAT
Feel free to reach me on...
