Drama, Dance, Music, & Sport for Kisumu Youth

Among the unique features of the Manyatta Youth Resource Centre in Kisumu, Kenya is the organizational leadership’s ability to bring together important concepts that result in the creation of unique programs and events.  

One example: Many Kenyan organizations focus on football/soccer programs as a youth activity.  But the MYRC brings together its full spectrum of football teams, the idea of peace-building in a country where ethnic strife and violence have an unfortunately long history, and the in-house creation of visual graphic arts and clothing that advocate for these ideas and connections.  One of the foundational programs within the MYRC is training youth how to respond to conflict in non-violent, productive ways.  Another is the promotion of gender equality. Melding these priorities with the football program starts with teams for very young girls and boys, builds progressively into older, better developed teams, culminating in successful young adult teams that create an avenue to promote highly-skilled women and men into semi-pro and professional teams in Africa and beyond. And at every step of the way, the importance of working together peacefully and gender equality are core values. 

Another example of the MYRC’s approach: Networking with other local and regional organizations is a well-established mechanism for bringing our program participants into significant local, regional, national, and even international events that also give our youth a view into the wider world.  After months of planning and networking, the MYRC is organizing under the World March for Peace and Non-Violence for a series of 5 km runs.  Each participating locality will participate in a 5k Run Against Gender Based Violence.   Beginning in Costa Rica in October, over the course of several months runs will be held in Eastern Tanzania, Nairobi, Kisumu, and Reykjavik, Iceland!  In some runs, women, men, and children from Iceland will be running alongside their African world neighbors. The series of runs will conclude in January 2025.

Each run will also include: 1- A Pre-Event Sensitization Workshop held in partnership with local organizations, focusing on Gender Based Violence prevention and survivor support; 2- Keynote Speeches with prominent figures, local leaders, GBV survivors, and activists addressing the crowd; 3- Community Engagement Booths set up to offer resources, counseling and legal assistance for GBV victims; and 4- Media Coverage and Social Media Campaigns.

Tegla Loroupe, a globally recognized marathoner, humanitarian and advocate for peace and human rights, is an important part of the effort. She was the first African woman to hold the marathon World Record. Her long-standing efforts to use sports for peace building and her commitment to social issues makes her a key figure in mobilizing participants and attracting media attention. Her presence is expected to amplify the message of the run, encouraging community involvement and international solidarity.   

A range of positive outcomes is anticipated, including: Increased awareness about GBV and its impact on individual, families and communities; Strengthened partnerships between Governments, Civil Society organizations and International Partners to combat GBV; Empowerment of local communities to actively participate in GBV prevention efforts; and Generation of funding for GBV survivors and support service through participation fees and donations.

The Manyatta Youth Resource Center, with principal funding from Equip Manyatta, is a unique, multi-faceted organization that engages in a broad array of socially important programs and activities.   Thank you for your past support!  With your help, the MYRC can continue to develop fun, exciting, and interesting programs and activities that allow young people in the low-income neighborhoods of Kisumu to gain skills and expand their horizons.