WE ARE YOUTH

It seems the years are getting more and more intense with time. Up With Hope has been in the Youth game for a while now and I can't tell if it's getting easier or harder. One thing is for sure and that is the world is starting to slowly wake up to the fact that supporting youth will definitely make a brighter future.

Was really proud to be part of the first ever Asian Pacific Youth Summit in Indonesia.

For 3 days youth from all over the Asian Pacific region met in Jakarta and discussed about urbanization issues and our different roles we play in the society. Of course I made a short video!

In Trujillo, Peru I learned about the fantastic work Rasa Joven is doing to bring hope back to the youth of the area who live in very difficult situations.

Rasa Joven gives contemporary dance classes to youth in different communities. They also have their also built their own schools and do community awareness programs for domestic sustainability.

Peru is an incredible country. Working on the video right now!

So not to down play this event but I guess this is all chronological. UN-HABITAT has released two reports on our community work together with Mathare Environmental Conseravtion Youth Group who has been changing the community since 1997. Get the reports here and here. Kind of a big deal.

We presented the reports and findings at the Urban Thinkers Campus in Geneva. A huge thanks to Tone Vesterhus (pictured above) who spent 2 months in Mathare doing research on our projects and came up with amazing results.

The reports released by UN-HABITAT. Obviously we are proud :).

Now watch the video we made to go with the report

MECYG - A Story of Youth Led Development from Nathaniel C. on Vimeo.

Meanwhile in Nairobi things are happening. Getting more visitors and partners. There was a week long tournament that had a free medical camp and feeding program. Just keeping the kids engaged at least.

A local hero who has since moved far and away to achieve his dreams and inspires the kids to do the same. Bigs thanks to Wachira and his wife for this day. Reach for the stars!

Feeding program. The women of the community play a huge roll in keeping the kids fed!
A big thanks is due here to Fredrick Mwaura for believing in us.