Sustaining Your Idea into the Next Level With Limited Resources.

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

#TheUntoldStoriesOfFounders #TheFounderJourney #TheIdeaBubble

The Idea Bubble – The Making Of Wilsen Initiative (Wi)

Did You Know Wilsen Initiative was founded based on the acronym W.I.L.S.E.N which is also one my nicknames?

The idea came about from my real life story of self, family and community that I believe if well told and documented could inspire many to take charge of their desired future by doing what they love, utilizing their skills, building relevant networks, embrace lifelong learning, family support and use their talents for prosperity.

W.I.L.S.E.N stands for:-

W – Willingness or Willpower to do what you love.

I – Inspirational or Initiative.

L – Lifelong learning.

S – Success, what it means to you.

E – Exploration or Exchange of ideas.

N – Networking within and beyond.

The Genesis

Wilsen initiative (Wi) evolves around the story of self and the story of us, and collectively trying to find solutions to our problems through collaboration, skills and talent utilization.

Since inception in 2000 the main tagline has been the Champion In You. I had the idea bubble (light bulb moment) when I was really going through rough times in life with a lot of uncertainty that affected my health. Pursuing education to the best of my desired levels was a great challenge leave alone our family trying to make both ends meet every day.

I’m happy so far all the hurdles in the past were all conquered through a more deliberate move to understand myself and by using what I had especially talent and skill to build on other opportunities.

The champion in you is a philosophy that focuses more attention from inside out working around the values that would eventually push you to tackle any emerging life challenges.

So between the year 2000-2010 the ideas revolved around myself trying to understand (self discovery moment);

1. Who I Am.

2. What Are My Dreams.

3. What Skills Do I Have.

4. What Experiences Do I Need To Acquire.

5. Who is in My Network.

6. How Can I Be a Solution Provider in My Community.

7. What Do I love the Most.

8. What gaps are there in the society that I want to address, etc.

I have always tried to document my journey BITs and Pieces on my blog www.wilsenx.blogspot.com

Later in 2011, after understanding the journey of self awareness and transformation Wilsen initiative (Wi) geared up with more stories of US where we could learn together, share our stories and build on our knowledge through collaborative learning.

So far we aren’t where we want to be but there are a number of great works we have achieved with limited resources from;

1. T-shirt design campaign that reached more than 500+ people since inception between the year 2000 to 2021.

2. More than 5 creative art session for the kids.

3. More than 10 football tournaments for both juniors and seniors in Mathare North.

4. More than 300+ football shoes delivered to deserving kids from disadvantaged backgrounds in Mathare North under soccer shoes and other resource mobilization.

5. Awarded more than 10 teams with branded Wilsen initiative (Wi) jerseys.

6. Conducted more than 10+ Skill-UP master sessions in different locations

7. In 2010 established Mathare North Rangers Football club (juniors and seniors)

All these great milestones and achievements have been made possible by the support from my personal contribution, friends and family. I encourage all my friends to support us further in making sure our work is sustainable and predictable. Currently, we only plan whenever the resources are confirmed and available.

“Any idea that is developed by starting with the end in mind stands a better chance of growth than an idea which stands on random and reactionary approach” – Wilson Masaka, founder Wilsen Initiative Wi, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

“Don’t let your idea bubble bust just because you missed a certain resource, use what you have to get started while the rest will build up slowly.” ~ Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.

Thanks to everyone who have always supported us in different ways. More about Wilsen initiative (Wi) www.wilseninitiave.wordpress.com

Be intentional!

#StrategicThinking #CriticalThinking #MissionVision Do More | Be More | Be Different

Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Mathare North Soccer, Resource Mobilization

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

.Mathare North Rangers F.C received different assortment of sportswear courtesy of Mr. Lenze Pekelsma who arranged the collection of the donation from Voetbalshop.nl

In 2010, we founded Mathare North Rangers F.C and currently we have players from age categories U10 to U15 years and Over 16 years respectively.

According the package size this time around our over 16 years players and the coaches were honoured to receive the gift. We will continue to request for more support for our community teams especially in acquiring tracksuits, soccer shoes and balls.

Wilsen initiative is all about offering a different experience, especially in our football journey starting at the base what we call grassroots and our main target are is Mathare North.

Football for Hope At Wilsen initiative (Wi)

” At this era no kids should play bare feet and their football talents combined with education should provide answers out of the vicious circle of poverty through the platforms that have been designed to tackle existing and emerging challenges in the sector.” Wilson Masaka, founder Wilsen initiative (Wi)

One of our vision of Wilsen Initiative (WI) is to be a centre of excellence in offering the best experience in grassroots football that will ensure no top talent is lost or untapped. It starts with what we have to get what we need and no gift or support is small. In a big way, thank you Mr. Lenze and Voetbalshop.nl

On behalf of the team, we say thank you and we continue to encourage everyone to do something for the betterment of our community. Do More, Be More and Be Different.

Skill UP Session Back To School

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

#SelfMade #BeyondSoccer #QualityEducationLifeLongLearning Do More, Be More & Be Different On 2nd January 2022, we were honored to host the first Skill Up session in collaboration with Mathare North Rangers F.C and Red Eagles F.C. The teams are based in Mathare North community and they are among the few community teams in the area that have different age categories from U10, U13, U15 and the senior teams respectively.
We found it necessary to have a Skill Up session after the holiday (back to school) as part of developing the Next Generation Stars (NGS). Read more the about Next Generation Stars

Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Skill Up program.

Skill Up program offers a platform that enables the participants learn to learn, acquire new skills, explore more about themselves, co-create, express themselves, connect with mentors etc. The program seeks to empower and encourage the youth and children to use their acquired skills and talents for prosperity.

The program main pillar is based on quality education and lifelong learning. SKill Up Program – Grassroots Soccer Clubs / Initiatives. The session seeks to engage the youth who are actively involved in soccer activities to live a more responsible life and take education seriously as part of the important pillars of their development. Wilsen initiative (Wi) advocates for lifelong learning, sports for development and the importance of education in all spheres of life.

These are areas that need more emphasis, especially to children and youth playing soccer in disadvantaged communities like Mathare, Korogocho, Kibera, Kayole, Kariobangi, Huruma, Mukuru Kwa Reuben just to mention but a few. Many children and youth playing soccer in the informal settlements have the desire to build a lucrative career in the game especially by playing for top foreign clubs.

The irony is that the environment they live in doesn’t resemble, promote or connect with that dream because of lack of proper infrastructure, poor leadership, lack of opportunities, lack of funding, are just some of the hurdles in a long list that keeps blocking the next generation stars to live their dreams. There are a few exceptional stories that have made it to greater heights in the game, but their stories can’t be told without mentioning the struggles, frustration, lack of support, disappointments, uncertainty etc. within their development journey in becoming professional soccer players.

The question is, how many soccer stars have we lost along the way due to the prevailing environment of uncertainty and different constraints?

Below are the Session Highlights; Teams:- Mathare North Rangers and Red Eagles F.C Team official present; Mathare North Rangers F.C (Edwin, Banda, and Omore) and Red Eagles F.c (David,Vicky and Joe). Date:- 2nd January 2022. Venue: – Drive Inn Primary School.

Facilitator & Mentor Brief Bio;

Simon Odhiambo is a life skills trainer (coach); having trained under the Kenya Youth Empowerment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) being driven by his commitment to transform lives of youth through training by creating a platform where they can display their skills plus talents and gain sustainable income.

Wilson Masaka has more 18+ years valuable experience of the web design process, teaching, leadership and working in teams, which he acquired from working with different NGO’s and the community at large. He love teaching youths from diverse backgrounds especially from the underprivileged communities. He also believes in the World of sharing of knowledge and skills, as the old adage says, knowledge is power! More abou Wilson Masaka who is the founder of Wilsen initiative and +throughyMylens

The Main Objectives Of the Session;

Explain the life in soccer, especially during the transition. The main highlight being education and soccer, the great values in a player that guarantees progress etc.
Instill the culture of discipline on and off the pitch.
Encourage more self exploration in participating in meaningful activities beyond soccer.
How to develop a career in soccer, life after school and the school life.

Group Discussion and Insights;

1. Qualities of a great soccer player.

2. The quality of a great community soccer club (grassroots football).

3. Discuss life after soccer and come with 10 important points.

4. What Do You Want to Become In The Future. List 10 things you need / must to do.

Personal insights / quotes as shared during the session;

” Let us not only focus on training and winning matches, but also make deliberate efforts in developing whole rounded stars with the admirable quality on and off the field.” Wilson Masaka
” Take precautions on over relying on playing soccer as a gateway towards achieving your dreams. Make sure as long as you play soccer you must also develop other skills, acquire the appropriate knowledge, connect with the right networks and make sure you get educated by going to school.” – Wilson Masaka
” Sports offer good opportunity, but without an education you aren’t sure that you will definitely make it. Injury is one of the threats towards your soccer career, so if you don’t have a good education foundation and support, things might be very tough on your side in case you are out of play because of injury. ” – Kamuzi Banda
” Education is the surest bet in achieving your dream. Play soccer to the best of your ability, but remember there will come a time you will quit playing and one of the things you will remain with is the education ” – Edwin Kipkoech
” You must have the right values to prosper in life. Professionalism starts with the things you do, what you say, how you say it, how you dress, etc. There is nobody born knowing everything but you need to make it your responsibility to learn new things everyday. Just note, there’s time for everything so plan for it appropriately. ” – Coach Davie
” You have to Dream, Plan and Do. Don’t let yourself loose by doing things in randomness. Take time to study who you are, what you want, what you need and how to do it. This is a process and never an event. You have to always repeat it several times to make it a habit that will ensure success.” – Simon Odhiambo.
” It is a new year, which could also mean 365 opportunities on offer. Grab every moment of the day by staying focused and by doing the right things. Don’t waste the your time doing unnecessary stuff, and when it’s time to learn we learn and when it’s time to play we play. We should always separate the two and trust that no matter any hurdle towards our development, we shall overcome through self discipline, working smart, team work and individual brilliance. ” Coach Joe
” Don’t just pass through school, but make it part of your pillar of excellence by attaining good grades. There is a time for everything that you want to do and with the right attitude, discipline, preparation, hard work and being teachable you will excel in everything that you do.” – Victor, Mathare United player.

Session was organized by Red Eagles F.C, Mathare North Rangers, Wilsen Initiative (Wi) & +throughMylens.

We look forward to more of this kind of interactions with the children and the youth in different spaces. There’s more we can offer towards children and youth development out of school life. We need to amplify our efforts through collaboration and networking as a way of fast tracking our impact on society, society where the gaps keep on widening especially on mentorship, resource acquisition, training and infrastructural support.

Let the year 2022, be a year full of collaboration towards achieving a desired goal of nurturing the next generation stars in our community.

5th Edition of the Mathare North Festive Season Soccer Tournament Featuring U12 and U14 Teams from Mathare North zone.

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Wilson Masaka

On 31st December 2021, we wrapped the year 2021 in style after a successful tournament despite the many challenges encountered in mobilizing resources. We had a total of 19 teams participating in the 5th edition of the tournament that only featured teams from Mathare North zone. There were 9 teams of the age group U14 and 10 teams of age group U12 respectively.

The tournament is part of the ongoing soccer resource mobilization for junior teams (U10 to U15) in Mathare North zone. The tournament and soccer resources mobilization is inspired by Wilsen initiative (Wi) journey which I started in 2011 as platform of reaching young people in different spaces. I want to thank everyone who supported the tournament, call for the year 2021 which led to its success.
I want to take this opportunity also thank every team that participated in the tournament. In a special way, congratulations to Olimpus F.C U12 and Mathare Flames Sportive U14 for emerging winners in their respective categories. 🏆🏆🏆

As we open the new chapter of the year 2022, I want to make it a priority to continue mobilizing soccer resources for the junior teams (U10- U15). I won’t rest until every child in Mathare North gets a chance to play safely and with dignity using the appropriate gears for the game.

The year 2021 tournament came to an end, but the soccer resource mobilization continues all through the year, and anyone with any form of support are still welcome. Think of soccer shoes, balls, training bibs, books, soccer jerseys, goal post nets, training cones, track suits etc. I hope we will get an opportunity to even reach many young stars and teams in 2022. My mission is to assist in mobilizing soccer resources for young soccer stars and their teams, especially from U10 to U15 in the urban informal settlements in Mathare North zone.

I want to give the kids an opportunity to play soccer in a more dignified ways starting at a tender age. How It Started This idea came about through my experience playing soccer bare feet from the age of 8 yrs to 14 years when I acquired my first soccer shoe as a gift from the late Helge from Norway during his tournament that was organized in Nairobi at St. Benedict parish field, along Thika road.

The soccer shoes not only protected me from injuries, but also boosted my morale to play soccer to the next level of competition and aspired to make a trip to the prestigious Norway Cup. Part of my lifetime success after acquiring the soccer shoes was participating in the international youth tournament in Norway known as Norway Cup with MYSA U16 teams in the year 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively So helping the kids acquire the right gears in the game as being one of my giving back model to my community that nurtured my soccer career.
I believe acquiring, especially a pair of soccer shoes will protect them from unnecessary injuries while at the same time boost their self esteems and aspirations to grow their talents into the next levels just like I had experienced.

Wilson Masaka, founder Wilsen initiative (Wi) and +throughMylens Blog:- www.wilsenx.blogspot.com More pictures on www.facebook.com/MathareNorthSoccer Do More, Be More and Be Different.

The Doers Community – Reimagining Yourself.

Posted on November 16, 2021 by Wilson Masaka

The Doers Community – Re-imagining Yourself. Courtesy of Wilsen Initiative and +throughMylens. #SelfRetrospection #DialogueSelf #StoryTellingForChange

Do More | Be More | Be Different

The T-shirt is just a launch pad, we want to do more in advocating for issues that affect the youth while also equipping them the necessary skills. This is a platform that seeks to help young people build a more relatable personal brand in different sphere of life.

We acknowledge that a combination of skills, talents and education can accelerate us towards our desired goal or dream. We want to create a community of doers who will champion all the UNSDG 17 https://sdgs.un.org/ with a key attention on UNSDG1: No poverty, UNSDG4: – Quality education and lifelong learning and UNSDG8: – Economic growth and decent work.

We want to celebrate and learn from our personal journeys and encourage collaboration (co-creation) in reaching the goals. We also want to acknowledge the team’s effort in making our lives better while recognizing our own individual effort in making both ends meet.

It is all about teamwork plus individual brilliance in achieving a targeted goal which is summarized in our mantra; Do More, Be More and Be different.

Our mission is to help the youth acquire relevant skills, access quality education, harness their talents while they document their journey which we encourage them to share and become lifelong learners.
Our formula towards achieving our meaning of success is based on; Skills + Talent + Education = Defines our meaning of success.

The Slogan is Self Made.

We highly appreciate and acknowledge the contributions made by different people in our life, but on the flip side, we want to put special attention to that extra individual effort that we make towards making things happen for better.

Self made is a deliberate effort towards becoming a better version of ourselves everyday. We believe in the change that start from within self.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Skill-Up & Motivational Session

We would like to host a series of monthly inspirational session where the guest speakers will get a platform to share their journeys at different locations based on the theme Self Made: – Do More, Be More & Be Different.

The guest speakers will cut across different spheres in the society and we would like to tap into those stories that haven’t been told that propelled us to where we are. Currently we don’t have the supportive resources, but we are looking for collaborators in running the sessions by using the already available resources at different centres or community based organizations.

Training and Mentorship Session At Ayany Primary School Organized by Kibera Angels Sports Academy.

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Wilson Masaka

#SkillUpMasterSession #TrainingMentorship #YouthSpace #YouthVoice

Mashujaa Day Special 20th October 2021

Our founder and leader Mr. Wilson Masaka was one of the main facilitators / key note speakers during the Mashujaa day (hero’s day) special mentorship and training organized by Kibera Angles Soccer Academy at Ayany primary school in Kibera.

Other Facilitators / speakers were Coach Dino Kibera Angels Academy, Boniface Ndirangu Chairman APRAK, Dr. William Obwaka (ex-Gor Mahia player) and his wife.
The session was organized with an aim of discussing issues that affect the youth and how they can become responsible young people in their chosen field.

The main highlight of the season were as follows

1.Health and wellness.

2. Personal branding.

3. Drug abuse and addiction.

4. Communication and collaboration.

5. Peer pressure

6. Responsible citizen.

Just to mention but a few!

Wilson’s session touched on personal branding whereby he gave an account of his strategy based on the past, present and future.
Below are some picture during the event!

We need this kind of interventions in all youth spaces around the country.

As a youth advocate my goal is to reach at least more that 500 young people per year in different spaces whereby offering cross cutting trainings based on 21st century skills, for example, in creativity, innovation, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving just to mention but a few.

Keep the good work coach Dino and Kibera Angles Sports Academy.

Visit By Mukuru Youth Initiative (MUYI) at Oasis Mathare

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Wilson Masaka

#CommunyBasedOrganisation #Best Practices #LearningOrganisation #CapacityBuilding #KnowledgeSharing #Collaboration #WinWinPartnership
O5th October 2021, I had the opportunity to have joined MUYI and Oasis Mathare in the follow up learning visit that was hosted by Oasis Mathare.

The first visit was in September 2021, where the Oasis Mathare team visited MUYI in their main office in Mukuru Kwa Reuben. The visit was inspired by Wilsen Initiative’s (Wi) goal of achieving an accelerated impact through sustainable partnerships.

Wilsen Initiative (Wi) role was to help in the linking the two Community Base Organizations (CBO) and partly facilitating the sessions toward a discussion that would make sure all the organization learn something from each other as they evaluate different possibilities of collaborating based on sustainability and win-win model.

Our founder & eam leader Mr. Wilson Masaka conducing a session on Brand Value

It was a great honor to have led a session on Brand Value and how MUYI and Oasis Mathare can identify their Unique Selling Proposition (USP) in attracting, retaining and forming a win-win partnership. As Wilsen initiative (http://www.wilseninitiative.wordpress.com/), we believe in sharing our knowledge and experiences. As collaborators / partners, we stand a better position in advocating for the desired change in our communities.

About MUYI
Mukuru Youth Initiative (MUYI) runs a creative hub for young people which provides one of it kind safe space in Mukuru kwa Reuben www.mukuruyi.org

About Oasis Mathare
Oasis Mathare is based in Mathare and one of their interventions transforming the lives of children and youth in the Mathare slum by providing safe spaces, access to quality education, skills and economic opportunities.www.oasismathare.org

“I have had several opportunities to do small assignments with Oasis Mathare and MUYI through a series of organized consultancies and volunteers hours, I saw a great need to follow up to see this two great organizations meet and share their experiences for more sustainable impact in future – Wilson Masaka Wilsen initiative (WI) founder, Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur.

Past visit at MUYIhttp://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2021/09/wilsen-initiative-and-oasis-mathare.html?m=1

Wilsen Initiative and Oasis Mathare Meets MUYI at Mukuru Kwa Reuben.

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Wilson Masaka

On 1st September we had a great honor to have participated in organizing a meet and greet tour between Oasis Mathare and Mukuru Youth Initiative (MUYI), the main objective was to discuss ways on how to achieve a more sustainable impact through partnerships.

“We stand a better position in advocating for the desired change in our communities by sharing our knowledge and experiences.” Wilson Masaka Wilsen initiative (WI) founder, Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur.

Wilsen Initiative Goal: – Accelerated impact through sustainable partnerships.

At Wilsen initiative (Wi) our overriding pillar in whatever we do is based on Inspiration, Connectivity and Education which is our ICE model.

Mukuru Youth Initiative (MUYI) runs a creative hub for young people which provides one of it kind safe space in Mukuru kwa Reuben www.mukuruyi.org

Oasis Mathare is based in Mathare and one of their interventions transforming the lives of children and youth in the Mathare slum by providing safe spaces, access to quality education, skills and economic opportunities.www.oasismathare.org

Sustainable partnership based on a win-win philosophy.

At Wilsen Initiative (WI) we would love to be the catalyst for connectivity between community base organizations and youth-led initiative whereby leading and managing a process that will ensure win-win approach. We advocate for international collaboration, but also without forgetting strengthening our local ties in sharing resources and accelerating our impact based on the local knowledge which the international partners might not have.

The next visit is to see Mukuru Youth Initiative (MUYI) visit Oasis in Mathare at their appropriate date. We wish them all the best moving forward with the conversation.

In pictures courtesy of Mukuru Youth Initiative (MUYI)

Mathare North Rangers – New Soccer Jersey

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Wilson Masaka

Weekly Program Saturday 29.08.2021
10am Mathare Flames Sportive vs Mathare North Rangers 0-2. Mathare North Rangers F.c won.

We did. It! #TheSavingCulture #ResourceMobilization “Kidogo Kidogo ujaza kibaba” Below are pictures of some of players who received their soccer jerseys after they saved for 8 months.As we continue to seek for more support within and abroad I want to encourage everyone to continue contributing towards the teams goal of acquiring the necessary resources for example soccer balls, Conn’s, goalposts nets etc.” Provided we have a shared value and vision, we can achieve our desired goal as a team no matter how long it takes ” – Wilson Masaka Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur Our dream is one day to have tracksuits for everyone

Football Made in Mathare North Featuring Kamuzi Banda

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Wilson Masaka

#MaLegends #MathareNorthSoccer

Did you know there was a time Mathare North had more than 10 players featuring in different teams at the top tier of Federation of Kenyan football now known as FKF Premier League?

What happened?

Did you know we had only one player who featured for Mathare United in the just concluded season where Tusker F.C were crowned as the champions 2020/2021?

On Sunday 22nd August 2021, +throughMylens

I had a chat with Kamuzi Banda who featured for the AFC Leopards in his last stint at the Kenya Premier League some years back and also later around the year 2017 played for Kenpoly F.c before resigning from active football because of a serious knee injury.

He sustained the injury while playing for a Mathare North Rangers F.C a community club he co-founded in the year 2010.

Below are the 10 questions and answers based on our conversation. I hope this conversation will be of help to players not only in Mathare North but also all over the nation.

As football players (current and ex-players) we have some similarities in our football journeys, but also there exists many different unique experiences within our stories that we need to share for better development of football from the grassroots.

#MeetOurStars