Drama, Dance, Music, & Sport for Kisumu Youth

Time seems to be flying at the Manyatta Youth Resource Center in Kisumu, Kenya, where every day the organization provides activities that serve youth in a diverse array of ways. From organized sports, engagement in the arts, and increased access to educational opportunities, MYRC members get opportunities to pursue their interests in a safe, supportive environment.

The MYRC soccer club, Manyatta United, supports boys and girls from Under-10 to Under-18 as well as an adult free-age semi-professional team made up of former players from our youth squads. Recently, Manyatta United was represented by our U-12 and U-14 teams at the Tackle Africa 2018 soccer tournament. This tournament marked the end of a two-month program that aims to integrate soccer training with HIV/AIDS education. Our youth participated in weekly drills and lessons, with the tournament being the culmination. Our U-14 team managed to take the championship for their age group! We are proud of our youth for showing their commitment to both learning and playing soccer. We also thank Tackle Africa for the trainings and tournaments. It is through partnerships like these that we are able to increase the access our youth have to valuable programs.

Members of our senior team are also participating in another interesting tournament. The Neymar Jr’s Five tournament is a competition that is taking place across 6 continents and 60 countries. Five-a-side teams are competing across Kenya for the chance to travel to Brazil to play in the final tournament this July. Winners from the competition in Kisumu will travel to Nairobi to face the rest of Kenya’s best teams and the chance to represent Kenya at the finals in Brazil. Though we don’t know whether one of our teams will make it to Brazil, we do know that Manyatta United produces some of the best soccer talent in Kenya. That is why one of our players, Patrick, was recently invited to play for the Kenyan under-20 national team. Patrick joins other former Manyatta players, such as Sydney, Ian, Shem and E. Otieno, who have been given opportunities to play at top-tier clubs in Kenya and the chance to represent Kenya internationally.

In our Performing Arts section, our drama team has been busy making original digital productions with the support of the MYRC. Our drama team does stage performances that also serve to help educate the community about healthy life choices and the importance of HIV/AIDS education.   They have recently started making full-length movies and short videos as well. They are currently working on a YouTube mini-series titled, “Anita.” The creators of this mini-series hope to show the social, economic and health consequences of the difficult decisions youth face in Kenya and the power of peer influence in helping promote or prevent bad decisions. You can view some of the episodes by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWp-TcXYjKM

During all of the activities and programs with which the MYRC is involved, they are making time for networking and especially for searching for local avenues of support. The MYRC continues to partner with Marie Stopes to help give health sensitization forums and classes within the Manyatta slums. They have also met with the Kisumu County Director of Sports, Culture and Arts as well as a member of the Kisumu County Assembly, who spent some time in the MYRC recording studio, Starbell Records, enjoying and recording a track for fun with our Performing Arts Director Malique.

Another thrilling event for our youth came as a gift from the US Embassy in Nairobi. During her visit, the Cultural Affairs Officer of the US Embassy took close to 200 kids from the slums of Kisumu to the movie theater to see, “Black Panther.” Youth from the MYRC joined other youth from less-than-privileged neighborhoods in Kisumu and really enjoyed themselves watching the movie as well as eating popcorn and drinking soda. This movie is very meaningful to youth from Kisumu, because a leading actress from the movie, Lupita Nyong’o, is from Kisumu and began her acting career in Nairobi. Youth from Kisumu are inspired to see a person like Lupita, who shares a similar history with them but has gone so far in her career. This trip to the movies was also the first time many of these youth have been able to go to a movie theater or see a 3-D movie. Thanks so much to the US Embassy for providing such a terrific event!

By supporting Equip Manyatta, you help support the endeavors of the Manyatta Youth Resource Center. Youth who are involved with the activities at the MYRC are given chances to do things they have never done before and also build upon their interests and talents. Your support ensures the continuity of the MYRC and its ability to continue providing these amazing opportunities for youth in Kisumu, Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria.