Artists For Refugees Project.

When you mention the word Refugee many people associate it with turmoil but this is not always the case as I came to realise after attending this very powerful forum and exhibitiion about art afortnight ago.

Artists for Refugees project was officially launched at the Alliance Française in Nairobi a fortnight ago by UNHCR Kenya. Marked with pomp and colour the event featured close to 60 refugees from Dadaab, Kakuma and Nairobi who showcased their talent in various forms of art.

FilmAid International's Country Director Stella Suge,  musician OCTOPIZZO cartoonist Victor Ndula,Tsegaye Sergue (Cuba) an Ethiopian refugee from Kakuma, Harun Komen, the Commissioner- Department of Refugee Affairs and UNHCR KENYA Country Representative Raouf Mazou were among the panelists who gave great insights on how refugees can be empowered through music and art the discussion was moderated by Executive Director of the GoDown Arts Centre, Joy Mboya. 

The three-day exhibition also helped the refugees to show of their work in the Nairobi as their plight took center stage.

Here are some of the moments I captured during the event.

One of the paintings on display at the exhibition depicting a young girl carrying a lamb in her arm looking thoughtful.

Octopizzo emphasizing on the role of art in transforming lives at the Artists For Refugees Forum.

Art lover takes time to admire various paintings on display.

Time to apply some Hena art work on you.

Khadija Hussein Jamah 33yrs and a mother of six,doing Hena Art during the event she has been living in Kakuma Refugee camp for the last 24years.

Traditional Dancers these artists were among 60 others from Somalia,Ethiopia, Eriteria, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC invited to showcase their works by UNHCR.

Art lovers admiring more art work on display at the exhibition.

UNHCR Kenya Country Represenative Raouf Mazou sharing with a participant after the event.

An art lover admires the paintings on display at the Alliance Francaise Nairobi. 

An art lover admiring Ethiopia's Triku Fekere painting.

Traditional Dancers from Burundi they were also among 60 others from Somalia,Ethiopia, Eriteria, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC invited to showcase their works by UNHCR.

Digital Humanitarian Philip Ogola monitoring social media activity during the Artist for refugees forum.

Blogger and Photographer Wachira Njenge with Kibera's finest Octopizzo at the sidelines of the event.

Mashujaa Day Awards 2015.

Events Organizer Big Bena and TNA Cordinator Gladys Chania  during Mashujaa Awards events.

Charles Ngure and Justina Mwangi looking lovely at the Mashujaa Awards.

Deejay Altar on the 1's and 2's during Mashujaa Awards.

Best Female Deejay Club Brown Bottle resident Dj Shee.

And the winner is........

Comedian Naomi James, Event Organiser Boniface "Map$" and Philo Grafix.

Mr. Birmingham 2015 with Miss Mashujaa 2014 during Mashujaa Awards 2015 edition.

George "Engineer" Kuria holds on to the Best Deejay 2015 trophy.

Guests at the VIP section following keenly.

Valerie Kamau is the new Miss Mashujaa 2015.

Rumba Africa's Boniface Munga does the peace sign.

A section of the trophies up for grabs.

Best Female Comedian Naomi James one half of the Wagithomoz shows off her trophy.

B-sounds Dj Trish on the 1's and 2's

Hype Man Ndoshy Ndoshy on the mic.

Weather Updates.

Sunday Weather Update

Camera Evolution.

My love for photography led me to attend an inagural camera exhibition event dubbed #CameraEvolution organised by Thika based www.aftisa.org and the cameras on display took me on a journey down the memory line when a photograher was one in a population of 500 people,when you had to wait for a week or two for your photos to be developed because the photo studio was one within a certain region.

Second Agri-Business Trendsetters Caravan Takes Off.

AgriProFocus Kenya in partnership with United States International University,Africa(USIU-A) through its Global Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship Center (GAME) held its 2nd Trendsetters Caravan on 22nd July 2015 at USIU-A along Thika road Next to Safari-Park Hotel.
 
The two hour long event was organised with an aim of bringing together agri-business entrepreneurs, to help them learn and share their knowledge and eventually network.
Speaking during the event USIU Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Amb. Ruthie Rono encouraged young people to take on Agribusiness as an alternative to formal employment, "Young  people in Africa have an opportunity to create there own source of income through agriculture since a vast majority of land in the continent is Arable. "
She also commended the organisers of the event for the good job they had done and urged participants to enroll in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate Course offered by the USIU-A through the GAME Center.
The event culiminated with a brief presentation where close to eight agribusiness entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to the invited participants who in return cast their votes in order to select the best agri-business idea. The best idea was to be rewarded with a fully paid trip to Kigali-Rwanda where they will attend an agribusiness exhibition that is aimed at bringing together agri-business entrepreneurs from the East Africa Community.

Francescah Munyi of Kenya Organic Finest Aromas Limited  a company that promotes sustainable livelihoods and food security through provision of efficient and affordable organic farm inputs emerged the top as per the votes casted during the caravan.

Random Pics

Just one of those days when I couldn't resist to click away.

Rev. Deacon Peter Mwangi Nga'nga's (MSC) Priestly Ordination Ceremony.

Saturday 18th May 2015 will go down in history as a memorable moment for the hundreds of Catholics from St Patrick's Catholic Church-Thika, friends and families of  one Rev, Deacon Peter Mwangi Nga'ng'a of the Missionaries of Scared Heart Congregation, because not only was he the first ever Deacon to be ordained in to Priesthood from East and Central Africa but also the first to be elevated into that position and hence a ceremony was hosted by my local parish.

The day was marked with pomp and colour with every church group putting there best foot forward in a bid to make the ceremony a success, the elaborate service was presided by His Lordship Bishop (Emiretus) Hugh Slattery all the way from South Africa.
I managed to cover this event and it was truly a blessing to witness one of our own get elevated into Priesthood.

Youth from our Parish dancing their hearts out during the mass.

Finally Newly Ordained Priest.

Bishop (Emiretus) Hugh Slattery (MSC) applies Chrism after laying his hands on Newly Ordained Priest.

Newly Ordained Priest Rev. Fr. Peter Mwangi Nga'ng'a is assisted in adjusting his Chasuble by Rev. Fr. Simon Warari as Vocational Director looks on.

Parish Priest Rev. Fr . Simon Warari helps Newly Ordained Priest Fr. Peter Mwangi Nga'ng'a to adjust his priestly vestments.

The Priestly Procession moving in towards the Altar at St Peter The Rock Church Grounds

Rev. Deacon Peter Mwangi Nga'ng'a (MSC) kneels down in readiness of his ordination.

Rev. Deacon Peter Mwangi Nga'nga lying prostrate as he awaits the Bishop and other Priests present to finish saying a prayer for him before being ordained.

L-R Missionaries of Scared Heart Congregation led by the Vocations Director, Superior and Bishop (Emiretus) in deep prayers for the candidate.