Heroes Day (Mashujaa Day) Well Celebrated.

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

Every 20th October Kenyans celebrates heroes’ day also known as Mashujaa day to collectively honour all those who contributed towards the struggle for Kenya’s independence and continues to positively contribute in the nations development and honour in different spaces in the post independent Kenya.

It was a great honour to host the first skill up session for the girls under the umbrella of She Can – I am a sHERO at Wilsen Initiative (Wi). Read more about the She Can I am a sHERO https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2022/09/she-can-im-shero-project-under-wilsen.html?m=1

The Skill Up Session – 20th October 2022 During the Celebration of Heroes Day (Mashujaa Day).

A total of 20 girls between the ages of 13 and 15 who plays football attended the session. Our main aim is to inspire, connect and educate (ICE model) girls on how they can live a more responsible lifestyle despite the many challenges faced by young girls living in underserved communities.

Short Profile of our Speakers / facilitators

Our great facilitators / speakers during the session were;

Kate Syprine who is a mentor at Dream Program and ex-footballer. Read more of her story https://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2011/09/unknown-heroes.html?m=1

Esther Mazira, She Can – I am a sHERO co-founder and Data Analyst

Grace Mbaye Training coordinator and Mentor at Digital Divide Data (DDD).

General Overview Of The Session

The speakers / facilitators were able to share their insightful journeys from education, career, football for development, personal development just to mention but a few.

There was also a special hour that we called (GT = Girls Talk) whereby our speakers / facilitators were able to openly discuss issues that surrounds the girl child and gave insights on how to mitigate the same. Some of the main highlights during the discussion were for example early teen pregnancy, menstral hygiene, self esteem, self awareness and open talk.

Parents Meeting

To wrap the day we also hosted a parents and guardians meeting in collaboration with Gudush Soccer Academy. We took the parents through some key points on what we do, what we aspire to achieve and also how they can be one of our support pillars towards the development of children that are engaged in our activities that cut across on and off the football field.

Appreciation

I take this opportunity to thank everyone who made the day a big success and I look forward to hosting this type of events for both the girl and boy child

Even though we might aspire to do more, all our activities are subject to availability of resource and required support and currently we sponsor the activities from our own contribution and support from our friends network.

If all is in place we would like to hold this even on a quarterly basis whilst providing sanitary towels and other personal essentials to the girls during the session. We believe by

that will enable them stay in school and avoid be luade into other distractive activities.

Call To Action

I invite all my friends, wishers and anyone who wants us to collaborate in this journey to help our sisters pursue their dreams by taking the appropriate steps starting now.

“I believe in a society were both the boy and girl child are provided with the right platform and resources to work alone based on special need and also recognise the importance collaboration towards creating a society that wouldn’t discriminate any gender. This is a society that will ensure a conducive environment for everyone be what they want to be regardless of their gender” – Wilson Masaka, Youth and Social Entrepreneur

The Wi-Experience The Story of Self and Us.

It is easy think of what you do for yourself and a bit challenging to think of what you can do for others and do together based on values.

Wilsen philosophy is based on the three pillars with the overriding theory are YOU towards development as follows;

1. What can you do for yourself to become better and not bitter ? (Your story)
2. What can you do for others (Your Aspirations or Vision Beyond Self)
3. How can you combine effort together with others to create the change that you wish to see? ( Collaboration and Togetherness).

Lastly among many thing that Wilsen initiative (Wi) does we also offer pro-bono services to emerging youth led initiatives that are less than 1 year since inception of their ideas. Part of what we offer in this package are as follows;

1. Setting the right organisation culture.
2. Resource mobilization
3. Training and mentorship

Among others…
Here are some of the highlights of the day in pictures!

Do More / Be More Be Different
www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

The Birth of Wilsen Initiative (Wi) – The Story of Our Founder

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

The Light Bulb Moment

Wilsen initiative (Wi) idea started somewhere in 1997 – 2000 during my prime years of playing football, different exposure I have received through education and exchange programs. In my 20+ years journey as the founder and social entrepreneur I can comfortably say the founder’s role is much more tougher and challenging compared to that of a manager who has been employed in an already running organization with all the systems in place. I’m talking from both side of the experiences working in managerial position and pursuing my dream as the founder.

Here Are Few Insights About Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Also Known As The ‘Wi-Experience’

As the founder and leader, I’m ready to explore different possibilities towards achieving an accelerated impact through partnerships, innovation and creativity.

The iceberg illusion

“If by any chance there’s luck in whatever I do, then I would say it could count for 1% and 99% is all you may not see are for example ; the thought process, many failure, many attempts, many rejections, working hard and smart and so on.” – Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate, Social Entrepreneur & Founder / team leader at Wilsen initiative (Wi).

The Founder Journey

It Is Either You Start Up or Shut Down!

Early Stages

The founder’s roles are even tougher when you have to play all the possible roles in your enterprise especially when you don’t have the resources to employ the team that could help you with the set up and drive the mission towards the vision point.

The Call Vs. The Job

As a founder, the calling is much bigger and I can go for the next extra miles without expecting a pay but I believe one day I will be able to get the full support to enable me recruit a team that will work with me around the clock towards realizing the vision. At the moment we have to soldier on with the little resources we can access and strive to achieve the best impact. The question is, how many years should one spend at the level of being called early stage start-up?

My idea has been around for more than 20+ years and despite the many challenges one being fundraising I’m not thinking of shutting down anytime because everything is done out of genuine passion towards living the full circle as envisioned in the dream.

The Journey

So before you quit, ask yourself why you started? Read more >>

I am a SHERO

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

#TheBrand

I am a SHERO, is a platform that advocates for better terms of engagement for girls / women in sports.

The platform seeks to inspire young girls in sports starting with football which is one of the popular games played at the undeserved grassroots communities.

Help Us Reach Many…

We will have the following on offer as part of our resource mobilization by Wilsen initiative ( Wi).

1. Purchase our branded T-shirts (She Can – IaM a sHERO at Kes 650 (Approx. $6).

2. Buy an assorted football jerseys (top & short) with our logo and on the back printed your name, and favourite number @Kes 1,200 (approx. 12).

3. Promote a team:- We are also looking for well-wishers or partners who will help us produce the branded She Can – IaM sHERO football jerseys, T-Shirt, Hoods etc. As an individual you can also buy X number of the the branded She Can – I aM a sHERO jerseys and promote a girls’ / women’s team from the underserved communities.

Starting Point!

Our starting point is in Eastlands in Nairobi County. If all goes well, our aim is to ran an online campaign that would see the most voted football teams receive the jerseys as part of our appreciation under the banner of the She Can – IaM a sHERO movement. Juts note, the idea is still at the initial stages and is subject to availability of resources and support required to make it a success.

Ploughing back…

In every t-shirt or jersey produced part of the percentage of revenue generated will help us organise free (sponsored) Skill Up sessions for the junior teams both girls and boys by Wilsen initiative (Wi).

Trip to EMBUL-BUL in Kajiado County.

Posted on September 11, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

Quite a special day 27.08.22 whereby together with Gudush Academy we organised a fooball exchange trip to EMBUL-BUL in Kajiado County.

Brief Personal Biograph, Esther Mazira -aka Essie.

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

Footballer, Project leader / Co-founder She Can
(I’m a sHERO) at Wilsen Initiative (Wi).

Esther Mazira aka Essie was born in 1994 and was raised in Mathare North community in Nairobi, Kenya in a family of footballers. Her late dad and siblings inspired her journey of playing football in a society where not many parents would encourage or support their daughters to pursue sports as one of the vehicles in achieving excellence.

Esther is one of the women football stars who have raised Mathare North zone flag higher in different football platforms locally, regionally and abroad. She is an aspiring professional footballer and co-founder of She Can (I’m a sHERO) project under the umbrella of Wilsen initiative (Wi).

She has more than 8 years’ experience working with children and her peers in community project that supports the well-being of both the children and youth. Her great passion is also to positively impact the lives of others, especially the young generation while working on community development initiatives that incorporate diverse cultures. Her career aspiration is to work in an environment where she will be in a position to help the next generation develop skills that would enable them become positive change agents at the earliest stage of their life.

Her determination, talent, skills, discipline and unrelenting passion has enabled her achieve great exposure abroad and accolades in football and education. Despite being brought up in a humble background, she has been able to defeat many challenges that are associated with girls living in less privilege society by pursuing football and education as two of her gateways towards success.

Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Commerce at the Kenyatta University while implementing her dream project known as She Can – I’m a sHERO hosted by Wilsen Initiative (Wi).

Over the years Esther has gained valuable experience working with different organizations as a data clerk with the main responsibilities being; editing digital content for online products, classification of data and processing required data to ensure accessibility and reliability of the data to its users.

Brief Football Profile:

• Position: Midfielder.
• Community club: – Ottobenecker F.C
• Mathare North Zone.

Teams played for: –
● 2018 to 2022 :- Played for Kayole Starlet soccer club that features in the Kenyan Women Premier League.
● 2017 Gaspo F.C
● 2015: – Participated in Africa University Games at University of
Nairobi (UON).
● 2014 -2015:- Played for Kenya Methodist University (KEMU).
● 2002 – 2014: Played for Otto-Benecker football club based in
Mathare North.
● 2002: Participated in the International Norway cup soccer
tournament in Norway with the MYSA team representing Kenya.

Personal Best Quotes
“Football made me, I have educated myself at some point, I have expanded my network of friends, played in the Norway cup and many more. My vision is to set up a center that will help the children and youth especially girls in leading a more responsible lifestyle. As a lifelong learner and a champion for quality education for all, my drive in life is to encourage girls / women in sports not to relent in pursuing education as part of achieving excellence.
” Playing football is one thing, understanding your surrounding the next important thing but knowing yourself is the most important of all.” – Esther Mazira, Project Leader / Co-founder at Wilsen initiative (Wi) She Can (I’m a SHERO).

Featured Quote

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Lou Holtz
The Power of Sports and Education
“It is important for the girls/women to find the winning combination in sports and education as two greatest avenue to excel in life. The unfortunate part there are no many platforms that train or mentor girls in the same line of thinking to make an informed life changing decision at the earliest stage like 12 years.” – Esther Mazira aka Essie. Footballer, Project Leader / Co-founder of She Can (I’m a sHERO).

Education Background

• 2019 to date: Pursuing Bachelor of Commerce at the Kenyatta University
• 2014-2016: Diploma course in business administration at Kenya Methodist University.
• 2012-2013: Attained certificate in counseling and psychology at Eden Therapy
• 2009-2012: Attained Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at ST. Teresa’s Girls High School in Nairobi County.
• 2003-2008: Attained Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) at Valley Bridge Primary School in Nairobi County.

Aspirations

To create a network of dedicated role models who will train and mentor young girls in sports.
To play profession football in top clubs.
Acquire coaching qualifications.
Establish a learning centre for children and youth.

She Can (I’m a sHERO)

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

About the project

I’m a SHERO, is a platform that advocates for better terms of engagement for girls / women in sports. The platform seeks to inspire young girls in sports starting with football which is one of the popular games played at the underserved grassroots communities. We want restore the hope and dignity of girls / women playing football through training and mentorship. We hope our intervention will create a lasting ripple effect of self-awareness that would lead into more responsible lifestyle.

Who is a sHERO?

In our own definition a sHERO is a woman of excellence who aspires to do more, be more and be different in creating their own meaning of success whilst helping others find meaningful pathways towards whatever they desire to become in future.
Her passion and dedication is to achieve more beyond self while also helping others women /girls in their transitions through sharing life experiences, skills and knowledge. The sHERO advocates for more and better engagement for the girl child without any biasness towards the opposite gender.

The Background

Kenyan football for many years has been faced with many challenges from alleged corruption, poor leadership, lack of enough support etc. In this bubble Women football has been one of the most affected making it difficult to convince the ladies that there’s a great future playing football especially after MYSA temporarily stopped participating in Norway cup like it used to be due many factors for example lack of funding and the arrival of Corona virus.

Young girls / women in Kenya playing sports go through a series of challenges from lack of mentors, lack of time, limited remunerations, lack of funding, lack of playing gears, early pregnancy, just to mention but a few. This situation can only change if we create targeted programs that would address both known and unknown obstacles that deprive the girls and women the opportunity to excel in their chosen sports.

On the flip side despite all hurdles, we can’t totally write off what football (generally sports) can contribute towards achieving a holistic social well-being and development for the girls through training and mentorship.

Our Brief Theory of Change

We want to address some of the issues affecting the girl child by creating a network of sHERO who will deliberately create different bridges that would help the girls living in the underserved communities.

Our main target is to work with organized women /girl groups between 12 – 35 years at the underserved communities for example football teams, chamas, in school etc.
Our Values;

Meaningful engagement
Self-awareness
Informed choices
Collaboration

Our Program

Our program is designed in such a way that all the sHEROs bring unique skills, knowledge, experience etc. that defines our activities. We have a framework which is based in the A.S.K models (Attitude, Skill and Knowledge) in all our delivery.

Our Main Activities.

● Skills and knowledge transfer.
● Mentorship & Training
● Mobilizing for resources for example sanitary towels, football shoes for the girls’ teams, uniforms etc.
● Organize women / girls competition and learning excursion visits.

Our Goal

Our main goal is organizing training sessions that would help the girls in their general well-being in terms of Sexual Reproductive Health and Right (SRHR), Life skills, leadership, Creative Entrepreneurship, financial literacy, career development, education just to mention but a few.

Secondly, we also aspire to create a network of women in sports as role models who have the time, passion, experience, qualifications and are committed to train and mentor the upcoming women in sports from underserved communities playing in different sports disciplines.

Call for Support

Currently we lack the adequate resource (funds, team, material etc.) to run the project as envisioned but we are determined to Do More with the little that we can access. Should you be in a position to offer different support get in touch with us. We also accept material support for example football shoes, uniforms balls etc. for the girls’ teams at the grassroots.
Currently we aren’t able to operationalize all our activities due to lack resources. We call upon all well-wishers to come on board and help us rollout some of our activities in the community.

Inspired by Wilsen Initiative – Do More | Be More | Be Different.

Resources Mobilization For Junior Teams in Mathare North

Posted on June 2, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

. #FootBallMadeMe #PlaySafeWithDinity #SkillUp

On 1st June we connected 20 young stars each with a pair of football shoes under the Next Generation Stars.

The 20 pairs were awarded to the football players (Next Generation Stars) that we had already identified from three teams in Mathare North.

The players join a growing list of more that 500 beneficiaries of the football shoes campaign since inception in the year 2000.

We also held a creative arts session for the youngsters that was facilitated by Mr. Patrick Mukabi who is an international renowned artists. A total of 70 children took part in the creative arts session during the Madaraka day public holiday.

The major aim of the session was to evoke a new level of thinking, creativity and teamwork.

A good read about Patrick Mukabi https://parentsafrica.com/the-godfather-of-art-patrick-mukabi/

More About the Campaign

Play Safe With Dignity is an ongoing community project under the umbrella of Wilsen initiative (WI) that seeks to equip the young emerging stars in Mathare North community with the right gears in the game (boots, uniforms, balls etc.).

The campaign also advocates for a different playing experience for kids from the age of 10 to 15 years from disadvantaged backgrounds playing football at the grass-roots levels starting with Mathare North.

We also organize training boot camps for the youth and children to learn different skills from creative arts, life skill, financial literacy, football clinics and creative ICT training.

Our main goal is to offer a different EXPERIENCE that will boost the young players self esteem off and on the pitch.

The backbone of the campaign is derived from our founder’s journey, Mr. Wilson Masaka who played football bare feet for at least 14 years that is before he made his first trip abroad with MYSA Kenya football teams in 1997, 1998 and1999, during the international prestigious Norway Cup in Norway and a tour of the Netherlands.

Quote;

” I believe that given the right platforms, support and motivation any child can perform well in all spheres of life. More than 25 years back, I can still remember how I felt during my childhood playing bare feet with the rest of the kids…

The Turning Point

” The turning point happened when the late Mr. Helge from Norway donated a pair of football shoes (boots) to me in the year 1996. After receiving the pair of football shoes, my self esteem and performance improved which earned me a place in the Norway Cup teams in 1997, 1998 (assistant team captain) and 1999 (team captain) respectively.” – Wilson Masaka +throughMylens and Wilsen Initiative (WI).

We know there are many who needs our support, but one day it will be their chance we continue to encourage the youth and children never to lose hope in pursuing their dreams.

Don’t Give Up!

The Creative Arts Session For Children Skill Up 1st June 2022.

Objectives;

Encourage creativity and innovation through available resources.
Inspire the values of life through Arts, for example peace building, innovation, awareness, creativity, collaboration etc.
Encourage co-creation and intentionally create spaces that would boost the self esteem of the participants either working in teams or alone.
Create a space for life-skills training, creativity and problem solving.

Thanks everyone who made this happen, just to mention but a few; Kate, Banda, BAs, Grasso, Coach Joe, PJ, Ernesto, Nana, pony, Onyi, Janet and Daktari.

The campaign continues, and we call for your support to help us realise the vision of offering a different experience to each child playing football in Mathare to play safely and with dignity with the right gear which will boost the performance and general self esteem.

You may donate anytime within the calendar. 1st June is one of the special calls to celebrate the national holiday, Madaraka day and our founder’s birthday whose journey inspired the campaign for the year 2000.

We Can Do IT!

We are inspired To Do More, Be More and Be Different

John Bunyan’s Quote: “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

“I believe that given the right platforms, support and motivation any child can perform well in all spheres of life.” – Wilson Masaka +throughMylens and Wilsen Initiative (Wi).

~ “A drop of ink can’t change the entire ocean water, but it can still make a significant change in a particular place in the ocean.” – Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.
.
Do More | Be More | Be Different

Next Generation Stars!

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

~ Play Safe With Divinity – Football Shoes Drive.

Featured post from our team leader and founder, Wilson Masaka

Yesterday I connected Latifah playing for KASSAC and Lewis of Mathare North Rangers F.C who were part of the kids I promised to connect them with a pair of shoes during this Easter holiday after spotting their stellar performance in one of the matches played at Drive Inn Primary School, Mathare North.

I’m happy to put a smile on the next generation stars by honouring my promise. They now join a long list of beneficiaries of the football shoes campaign since inception in the year 2000.

I know there are many who are still playing bare feet, but through Wilsen initiative (WI) and +throughMylens I will strive to reach many in Mathare North zone.

The main agenda is to change the playing experience at the grassroots level by providing mentorship and much needed resources like balls, uniforms and football shoes.

~ “A drop of ink can’t change the entire ocean water, but it can still make a significant change in a particular place in the ocean.” – Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

Do More | Be More | Be Different

Easter Holiday Football Friendly Match Out & About

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

On 17th April 2022, our team Mathare North Rangers F.c was honoured to receive an invitation to play Kickoff to Hope – Kenya in Maringo, Makadara constituency. Kickoff to Hope – Kenya foundation is an initiative that was started by Musa Otieno. Musa Otieno is a renowned ex-international football player who featured in our national team leaving a great trail of legacy.

Musa Otieno played for the Cleveland City Stars, Santos, Harambee Stars (Kenya National Team), AFC Leopards just to mention but a few.

The match featured Mathare North Rangers F C versus Kickoff To Hope Kenya U17 category. The results was 5-1 in favour of Kickoff To Hope Kenya.

Despite losing the match there was a great deal of learning and insights pointing towards the match and how to progress in life.

We look forward to more collaborations in the near future that will allow both players and coaches learn valuable life skills and football tactics.

Mathare North Rangers F.C leads by following the philosophy of Do More, Be More and Be Different.

Wilsen Initiative Timothy Umeme Ofula, Mathare North Rangers, +throughMylens, Musa Otieno and Kickoff To hope Kenya thanks for making everything possible.

Out & About – Pep Talk

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

Meet the Football legends

It was a great honour to meet one of the renowned football legends in Kenya by the name Musa Otieno. This happened during the football friendly match against our U17 team Mathare North Rangers F.C Vs. Kickoff to Hope Kenya academy.

Musa Otieno is one of Kenya’s most successful and decorated ex-footballers. During his time he played for the Cleveland City Stars, Santos, Harambee Stars (Kenya National Team), AFC Leopards just to mention but a few. He is also the founder of the Kickoff to Hope – Kenya and assistant coach at Police F.C playing in the Kenyan Premier League.

Brief highlights of the inspiring journey featuring what made him succeed;

1. Dedication.

2. Professionalism.

3. Finding the WHY.

4. Keeping the Hope Alive.

5. Discipline.

6. Individual brilliance.

7. Great mentors

And many more…

We look forward to more mentorship engagement with him.

Thank you coach Timothy Umeme Ofula for organizing everything.

Pictures moment…