My story

The Dilemma of CBOs in the Age of Social Media.

Leave a Comment / Blog, cbo's, communication, marketing, My story / By ameqwi.com

In the heart of Kilifi County, along Ngowe Road, you’ll find Maono Space, a place where change takes root. Maono Space is a hub for community-based mobilizers and organizers, a place where we empower those who often go unnoticed, giving them the tools to build networks, hone their skills, and ignite a movement for real change in the community. Our mission at Maono Space is simple yet profound: to support Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in Malindi by equipping them with the skills and tools they need to run their organizations effectively. We do this through capacity building and a unique approach called Nolewa. Within our space, these organizations come together, collaborating and sparking collaboration among CBOs. My role within the Maono Space family is to provide tech support. I’ve had the privilege of working with around 15 CBOs, each with their own story and vision. My journey began with building websites for these organizations, aiming to give them an online presence and a voice. However, I soon encountered a significant challenge. I discovered that many of these CBOs had not documented and shared their incredible work with the world. Despite their dedication spanning over a decade, they remained hidden, their voices unheard, and their stories untold. This silence created a painful gap between their innovative solutions, their progress, and the rest of the world. The pressing question was, “How can marketing benefit these CBOs?” The answer is clear and transformative. Firstly, marketing provides visibility. Without a platform to share their stories, these dedicated organizations remain in the shadows, unable to showcase the remarkable work they’ve been doing. Their achievements and innovative solutions, cultivated through years of hard work, remain concealed. Secondly, visibility opens doors to funding and resources. When the world knows about the incredible work these CBOs are doing, it creates opportunities for financial support. With more resources at their disposal, they can expand their impact, scaling their initiatives to new heights. So, how can marketing and communication initiatives make this difference? It’s simple yet profound: The power of storytelling, of putting their work out there, is immeasurable. It doesn’t just change the destiny of these CBOs; it enriches the communities they serve. In my opinion, it’s essential to support these CBOs on their journey toward visibility and effective communication. This support should encompass not only marketing and communications but also the simple act of documenting their work. By sharing their stories, photos, and experiences, they can bridge the gap between their transformative work and a world that’s eager to learn about it. It’s time for Kilifi County’s unsung heroes to step out of the shadows and shine. Let’s empower these organizations with the means to showcase their incredible work because their voices, missions, and communities deserve to be seen, celebrated, and supported.

Bridging Digital Divide: Maono Space

Leave a Comment / Blog, My story / By Ameqwi Lucy

Today, I want to share a heartfelt journey with you, one that begins in a dry, arid corner of Kenya, Turkana, and leads to the bustling city of Nairobi and eventually, the coastal town of Malindi. I’d like to introduce myself, a software developer from a remote village in Northeastern Kenya. In my early years, I had minimal exposure to smartphones or the internet, as it still is for many kids in rural areas despite today’s digital connected world. My first encounter with these mysterious devices was when aid workers and well-intentioned individuals visited my village, bringing essentials like food and clothing. One fateful day, as a curious six year old, I approached a visitor holding a device that seemed to perform miracles of opening and closing with buttons and a small TV-like screen trying to understand what it was. Little did I know that this encounter would plant a seed that would grow into a lifelong promise to myself: one day, I would master these devices and understand the magic within. The Pursuit of Knowledge Fast forward a few years, I had made my way to Nairobi through hard work, determination and some luck of course. I took a course in software development, fulfilling the promise I made to myself as a child. I have since become an accomplished software developer, navigating the world of technology. It’s a story of personal triumph, but there’s more to it. A Surprising Encounter This year, I got a unique opportunity to work as a tech support and a web developer in a community space called Maono Space in Malindi, a coastal town with its own set of disparities. Malindi epitomizes the contrast between the haves and the have-nots. It’s a place where Italians and a privileged few reside, living comfortably. Yet, within the same town, there are individuals who go to bed hungry, struggling to make ends meet. Last week I had a chance to interact with kids from both worlds, and I began by teaching children from an international school who are having a summer camp at the space. I was teaching them about technology and social media. To my surprise, these children, despite their young age, were already well-versed in the digital world. They confidently navigated social media and had high end smartphones. Their knowledge was inspiring, challenging even my expertise as a software developer. The real awakening came the next day when I had a similar program with young Muslim girls from the local community, who attend public schools and had little to no interaction with smartphones or computers. Only two out of fifteen had ever used these devices. Even how the session went was different. They did not have the confidence to ask questions even though they knew nothing about computers. How can we justify such disparities between children living in such close proximity to each other? Why do some kids have access to the digital world from a young age, while others remain digital outsiders? How can children like these young girls, who lack digital exposure, ever compete with their more privileged peers? In today’s world, digital literacy is the key to unlocking opportunities. Everything from education to job applications, government services, and healthcare increasingly relies on the digital realm. The gap between those who are digitally literate and those who are not is a powerful determining factor in the course of one’s life. So, what can we do to ensure that children in rural areas are digitally literate? How can we level the playing field and give all children a fair chance to thrive in this digital age? The responsibility falls on all of us to bridge this divide. In the end, it’s about ensuring that no child is left behind in the digital age. Children in rural areas, with the right support and opportunities, can become just as digitally literate as their peers from more privileged backgrounds. It’s not just about teaching them to use technology; it’s about opening doors to a world of possibilities, just as my encounter with a smartphone opened up a world of opportunities for me. Let’s work together to bridge the digital divide, and pave the way for a future where every child, regardless of their background, can thrive in the digital age