Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#KeHeritageSites
The number 7 seems to be the binding factor for a lot of things. Think about the days of the week, the continents in the world, the seas in the world, and closer to home, the number of World Heritage Sites in Kenya. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) describes World Heritage Sites as important places of cultural or natural heritage. In Kenya, these sites have
Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#Ke2019People
2019 has been a different year for each one of us, but we have made it to December, and that is something worth smiling about. Throughout the year, Kenya has made global headlines for a number of reasons – and as is our Paukwa mantra, we would like to focus on the exceptional feats some of our fellow Kenyans have achieved through their little hummingbird deeds. Welcome to
Remember the story of...
Rendille Initiation Ceremony
For decades, the Rendille have been one of the Kenyan communities that inhabit northern Kenya. Many years ago, there was constant tribal warfare between the Rendille and the Oromo who were both pastoralists in southern Ethiopia, and these conflicts forced the Rendille to move into Kenya. Nonetheless, way of life among the Rendille consisted of a number of rituals that took place every seven to fourteen years. Initiation was a...
Our audio stories
A note from our team
THE POWER OF STORIES
At Team Paukwa, we never tire of celebrating the power of stories. It is the very essence of our mission and the fuel that drives our work. We firmly believe in the transformative impact of storytelling for social change. Moreover, we take great joy in spotlighting the creatives who are actively reshaping the narrative of Kenya through their storytelling prowess. These individuals are catalysts for change, weaving tales that challenge stereotypes, elevate unheard voices, and ignite conversations that matter. We're excited to delve into our treasure trove of stories—our vault—that showcases their journeys and contributions. From budding writers to seasoned filmmakers, each story reflects the profound impact of storytelling in driving positive change. Eager to learn more? Check out the stories that Kenyan creatives have produced in #KeFilms, #KePodcasts and #KeReads.
TEAM PAUKWA
A note from our team
JOURNALISM AS SERVICE
If you were to look up the purpose of journalism, you would probably find something along the lines of empowering citizens with the information they need to make the best possible choices in their everyday lives, and for their communities and government. In our #MagazetiYetu and #KePhotographers collection,s what strikes a chord is the sacrifices that journalists throughout our history have made to give us the power of decision-making. When we take a closer look at our media history, it is clear that these professionals went far beyond the call of duty to secure the credibility of information reaching the public. And for this sacrifice, we can’t help but label these journalists the epitome of servants. These heroes have stood for truth, democracy and our nation time and time again – even to their own detriment. Be emboldened by the figures who remained uncompromising in their values. May we stand on their shoulders.
TEAM PAUKWA
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