Untapped Potential – Hands of Gold

In this month’s edition of featuring champions in our community (iDream – iShare), we feature the work of a young lady by the name Peninah Achieng Owidhi. Penninah lives in Kariobangi South with her family and she learned how to make cards in 2009 at SOS centre in Buru Buru. According to her, the classes were not meant to have a far reaching impact but it was ways of making youths do something a part from idling around. Penniah’s case is exception after beating all odds by following her passion after the introduction to card making. She has developed a strong passion in designing through which she express herself, work, dreams, community, clientele needs, events etc.

Authentic Card design by Penninah an aspiring designer; The cards are made using;
• Embossed papers
• Shaded threads
• Special needs
• Beads
• Pencil
• Holing pin
• Print glue
• Pattern scissors etc

These cards are specially designed for various occasions like weddings, greetings, valentine etc. Penninah enjoys making cards which are unique and value oriented to anyone that purchase them. You can place an order by defining the color, theme, purpose and style etc, and she will always tweak it with the creative ideas to match your preference. Each design costing depends on the size, time and material used. She will always strive for unique and quality design that you will not find in the supermarket shelves.

Currently Penninah is taking a course at Nairobits School of digital design studying web design and development. She is a passionate designer and most of her work is driven by intrinsic value like passion, creativity and she is always read to share her skills with others. In any creative process you have to be patient and be a good planner for example with the card making it is challenging to get the design right and sometimes you have to strain your eyes using the needle to punch holes in the correct places.

Many young people are blessed with many talents but there are no enough avenues to support creative works originally designed by the youths from the informal settlement. Wilsen Initiative (WI) seeks to mentor, train and inspire youths to be change makers in the larger society using their skills and talents. On the other flip side majority of the youth from informal settlements (slums) are faced with high level of unemployment which contributes to other issues like insecurity, drug abuse, crime, early parenthood etc.Penniah’s story is an inspiration of how talents and skills can be used to tap into other areas of learning or opportunities.

Please support the initiative by ordering customized cards specially designed for you. You can write to wilson.masaka@gmail.com or drop a comment and we shall get back to you.
Penninah’s Best Quote: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve”.

Amani Institute Social Innovation Management (SIM).

Posted by: Wilsen Initiative (WI) founder

Wilson Masaka

Amani Institute  http://www.amaniinstitute.org/

From the day I applied for the SIM course and later attended the interview at Adams Arcade, I was filled with desire (which is still present) and a sense of good things to come if I was selected to participate in the program. My goal is to Interact, Explore new fields, Learn and Share Experiences. I have been interviewed in many ways but the approach which the Amani team is using is exceptional. I love the blend of professionalism and social connectivity (Trying to find the best in someone) with the interviewers who create a learning experience in conducting an interview in different styles. For example, an interview doesn’t have to be in an office set up. In a special way, thanks to ILA and Roshan for such an encouraging interview and follow ups.

I have learned a lot in Amani’s great environment which includes :

• Bio Mimicry & Connecting with Nature.
• Quick Pitching Versus Time Management.
• Working in teams and support groups around my initiative.
• Eight words within a mission.
• Presentation techniques, learning from other people, and feeling ignited with energy to even do better.

I love all the presenters and their presentations, but Jabari’s presentations always leave me connected with myself. This is another way in which cultural diversity can trigger inspiration into other societies.
Working in teams like the peer group, the buddy system and mentors is a great idea which has helped me go to the root source of discovering my untapped potential connected to the inner voice within. These supports teams have helped me open many new horizons.

I have also learned to listen especially when somebody either shares a question or comment that seems insignificant during brainstorming sessions. So, rather than keep quiet, I have embraced the act of positive engagement in terms of giving honest feedback without postponement or dismissing other people’s viewpoint.
Appreciation
I highly appreciate the learning approach especially the manner in which we have embraced technology ( teleconferencing with experts abroad) and also the planning that goes around everything.

It gives me an in-depth understanding of how an effective team can pull together different skills, experiences and energy. Lastly, I am indirectly learning how to manage people from different backgrounds in a creative environment.
I have been receiving a lot of questions from my friends about why I think Amani Institute is a great place for learning as a young change maker. Here is the answer, pictures speaks louder! If you like it crown this in your companies and organization and you will see ripple effect in result, passion and teamwork.

Amani Institute 101 SIM program 2013