Reset and Rewind with Travel in 2024!
It is a new year, and travel resolutions are worth making and committing to. Contrary to popular opinion that traveling demands a lot, exploring is a matter of planning and courage. So, unplug from the daily hustle and dare to chase the winds and sunsets with these few traveling agencies that have proven over time to help you recharge in nature and other inspiring destinations.
Lets Drift
Adventure doesn’t always have to be resource-intensive; it can be easily accessible. This is exactly the philosophy Lets Drift is founded on. So, if you are a curious person looking to spend more time in nature in 2024, Lets Drift has a vibrant community of Kenyans who love hiking waiting for you to join them in traveling together, making memories, and influencing local tourism in an eco-friendly way.
Just Rioba
For many women, travel has been that one thing that has transformed their lives holistically. If you are a woman who is intentional about yielding to the solace of globetrotting and unlocking an authentic worldview, you can do this alongside other girls with Just Rioba. Founded and steered by Winnie Rioba, Just Rioba will facilitate your travel across the world’s renowned destinations and teach you how to travel comfortably in Africa and beyond, and unlatch an endless stretch of possibilities that comes with traveling besides timeless photos.
Bonfire Adventures
There’s nothing as satisfying as experiencing the magic of stunning landscapes and the essence of wildlife in their natural habitats. Bonfire Adventures has tapped into this and aims to take you on unforgettable safaris in Kenya and beyond. Worried about the sustainability of your travel? There is a safari package for everyone at Bonfire Adventures; whether you’re on a budget, can cater for a mid-range travel, or are blessed to afford a luxury safari, an immersive experience is yours to relish.
Bountiful Safaris and Tours
Planning travel, even for yourself, is not a mean feat. It is the very reason most people spend their days off and holidays at home, wishing they could muster the strength to go somewhere nice and have the time of their lives. With Bountiful Safaris and Tours, you can travel at your convenience, with maximum comfort. Besides organising season-themed trips, Bountiful Safaris tailors its packages to meet your needs, and you’re assured of thrilling adventures across destinations of your choice.
Although just a few, we hope you will utilise your time off and drift off to refreshing wonderlands with these safari companies.
#NewYearBusinesses
Back to School Sales Extravaganza to Kickstart the Academic Year
For anyone who has navigated the halls of education in Kenya, the familiar buzz of anticipation that accompanies the back-to-school season is an undeniable part of the Kenyan experience. However, for parents, this period signifies a significant financial commitment as they gear up to equip their children for a new academic journey. Amidst the frenzy, several Kenyan brands emerge as saviours, offering not only quality products but also opportunities for substantial savings. In the spirit of our #NewYearBusinesses series, let's delve into some trusted names that have been instrumental in helping Kenyan parents navigate the back-to-school rush.
School Shoes: Stepping into Savings
No back-to-school shopping list is complete without meticulous consideration for footwear. From standard uniform shoes to sporting gear, brands like Bata, Umoja Shoes, and Fun Patch Kids have become synonymous with reliability and affordability. Annually, these stalwart brands roll out back-to-school sales, presenting parents with discounted options for top-notch leather shoes. As children's feet grow, these sales become a crucial opportunity for parents to secure quality footwear without breaking the bank.
Stationery: Text Book Centre - Your One-Stop Academic Shop
When it comes to acquiring textbooks, pens, pencils, and everything in between, Text Book Centre stands out as a comprehensive one-stop-shop. Beyond catering to the academic needs of students, Text Book Centre extends its offerings to office stationery, providing a convenient solution for parents who can efficiently manage both back-to-school and workplace restocking. With the added bonus of tech products such as laptops and printers, Text Book Centre truly simplifies the shopping experience for parents preparing for the new academic season.
Sporting Gear: Unleashing Potential with Nairobi Sports House
As children explore their talents through sports and clubs, the need for different sets of gear arises. Nairobi Sports House steps in as a reliable supplier of sporting equipment, making it a go-to destination for parents navigating the varied requirements of their active youngsters. The year-end clearance sale, spilling into the beginning of the year, offers an ideal window for parents to snag sporting gear at discounted prices, enabling their children to pursue their athletic interests without straining the family budget.
Uniforms: Affordable Attire for a Fresh Start
While sales on school uniforms are a rarity, some distributors have carved a niche in providing well-priced options to kickstart the academic year. Tekiria General Supplies at Githurai 45 off Thika Super Highway, Uniform Distributors Limited along Moi Avenue, Animet in Yaya Centre, and School Outfitters in Haria Plaza on Muindi Mbingu Street are esteemed options for parents seeking quality uniforms at reasonable prices. These distributors understand the financial strain on parents and strive to make the back-to-school uniform purchase a more affordable endeavor.
These are just a few of many trusted brands and distributors that have become pillars of support for parents, but we know that the world of back-to-school sales is vast and ever-evolving. If there are other gems out there that we might have missed – those secret sales, hidden discounts, or new players on the block – we want to hear from you! Share your insights, recommendations, and experiences in the comments below.
#NewYearBusinesses
Gladys Koech: Securing Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities
When it comes to the mantra that disability is not inability, Gladys Koech is a firm believer. One of her first experiences with disability was with her sister’s child. With disability hitting close to home, Gladys was spurred on to pursue a career assisting children just like these. She carried her personal experience to her academic pursuits and gained a diploma in Occupational Therapy. Subsequently, she pursued a Bachelor’s in Project Planning and Management at the University of Nairobi and carved a path towards serving disability communities.
Joining APDK
This service came in the form of joining the Association of the Physically Disabled of Kenya - Coast branch (APDK) based in Port Reitz, Mombasa. APDK is a non-governmental organization with a focus on mainstreaming disability through advocacy, empowerment, rehabilitative services and the provision of mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Gladys began as a volunteer in 2009 before growing into the role of Occupational Therapist. Unlike physiotherapists who work to ensure patients can move their bodies, occupational therapists support patients to perform their daily activities as best as possible. With a focus on this wellbeing aspect, Gladys has built a wealth of knowledge about the lived realities of people living with disabilities and the challenges they face particularly due to stigma.
After working directly with patients at the centre, Gladys was appointed as the Programs Director at APDK – a position that oversees the Occupational Therapy department. Her new role provided the perfect environment to continue to shed light on disabilities, push back against stigma, provide care and give hope. Being that the organisation is the only facility providing thorough institutional rehabilitation for children located in the coastal region, Gladys has her hands full organising for quality-of-life improvements for persons living with disabilities through accessible medical care and social support.
Witnessing Stigma
Much like her work in occupational therapy, the role at APDK once again brought to her attention the day-to-day challenges that persons living with disabilities face. Some of the stigmas she has witnessed have included mothers being blamed for children born with disabilities, subjected to gender-based violence and abandoned. Her extensive work has brought her close to mothers who have been pushed out of homes and even received death threats from husbands infuriated at their children with disabilities being taken out in public.
Under Gladys’ leadership, APDK programs walk alongside parents and children to ensure that there is acceptance and dedication to care steps. While some children are rehabilitated to the point of no longer requiring medical intervention, she ensures that those with conditions such as cerebral palsy - which are likely long-term - have access to the continued care they need to achieve optimal wellbeing.
Facing Systemic Challenges Head-on
Beyond individual challenges, Gladys also plays an instrumental role in ensuring that structural challenges for people living with disabilities are addressed. Access to government services is still governed by possession of identity cards – documents which cost money that some from rural areas fail to raise. Without this registration, a lack of awareness about available services and the challenge of transport for those with mobility and financial challenges, many who need assistance are left out in the cold. Gladys champions programs that stand in the gap that is left by these overwhelming challenges.
She not only leads community outreach to identify those living with disabilities, but she also ensures that empowerment programs lead to better opportunity outcomes for persons with disabilities. The Innovation to Inclusion program begun in 2019 is just one initiative headed up by Gladys that pushes for skills development for persons living with disabilities and connecting them to employers. The program has equipped 194 participants with key office skills such as navigating emails and typesetting to meet job market demands.
For continuously seeking ways to support the wellbeing and access to opportunities for persons living with disabilities, Gladys Koech is a shining light for inclusivity in Kenya’s coastal region.
#PaukwaPeople #DisabilityNotInability
Uongo Uongo Video
“Uongo. Uongo. Hiyo ni uongo.” How many times have you shared this video on social media or even said it out loud while listening to false narratives?
Well, this viral moment is tied to Kenya’s 2022 general election campaign season, when politicians and their supporters were polishing their images with lies of all kinds in order to win. The video can be traced back to Nandi County where residents who had attended a political forum called out the lies of one speaker. The speaker was answered with – 'Lies. Lies. That’s a lie' in Swahili, when he alleged that Nandi Governor’s – Stephen Sang – son had disbursed bursaries worth 200 million across the county.
If you’re saying you’ve never seen or shared this video before then hiyo ni uongo.
Sina Maoni
It’s so unlike Kenyans to not have opinions. This is likely the reason “sina maoni,” translated as 'I have no opinion' became a social media sensation.
A Uasin Gishu County voter nonchalantly said, “sina maoni kabisa” live on television on 9th August 2022. Afterwards, media shock didn’t even result from his lack of opinion. The fact that he had warmed himself up for the question and even gathered his thoughts to say he had no opinion had Kenyans all over social media weak on their knees. Since then, the phrase is every Kenyan’s crutch word for tricky situations.
After this man’s unexpected response, the phrase became a popular Kenyan way of removing oneself from offering unwarranted insights.
#VunjaInternet
Safari Rally Meme
Arap Marindich Mwenyewe is his name and making people split at the sides with laughter is his game. The comedian went viral earlier this year with a mere 1-minute video of him acting like a downtrodden rally driver. With his navigator Kaptula by his side, Arap goes on to lament about the strenuous rally. In fact, he mentions an instance where the car nearly rolled over and competitors were zooming by. Interestingly enough, Kaptula is Arap’s real-life navigator as the man who encouraged Arap to put his comedic skills to work.
While at the WRC weekend rally, Arap and Kaptula saw a rare opportunity to make a funny video. They asked to commandeer a car that had broken down and acted out the skit. As cars flew by, Arap got dustier and dustier – an effect that only added to the hilarious nature of the skit.
And just like that, in came the memes. Arap has often taken centre stage in a popular meme circulating the web. It originates from the video where he looks hopeful in one image and devastated in the next. Since its release, Kenyans have taken to social media to poke fun at situations where one begins with a positive mindset only for it to be crushed.
#VunjaInternet
Kata Simu Tupo Site
Back in July, the phrase “kata simu tupo site” gained traction on social media. We owe this viral moment to Tanzanian comedian Umar Iahbedi Issa, known simply by his stage name, Mzee Mjegeje, who uttered these words when freestyling a rap song. The phrase has caught on with Kenyan netizens who weave it into the stories they share online. Brands have also adapted this phrase and use it to announce the launch of a product, service, or event.
How often do you hear this phrase used your day to day? And when last did you use it in conversation?
#VunjaInternet
Curfew Tunayo!
31st December is one of the most celebrated days around the globe, and the enjoyment that happens here in Kenya is no exception. Some people attend church keshas while others host and turn up with New Year’s Eve parties. As we say goodbye to 2020 today, let’s not forget to make it home by 10pm!
Everything Online
Shule – zoom. Church – zoom. Bible study – zoom. Birthday Party – zoom. Everything – zoom. It is the platform that has brought us together this year, an essential tool that has kept us up to date and allowed us to continue holding local and international meetings – some of which would have been better as emails!