Drama, Dance, Music, & Sport for Kisumu Youth

The new year is off to a good start for the Manyatta Youth Resource Centre, principally funded by Equip Manyatta.  Wellington, the promising young man whose secondary education we have subsidized, is now a high school graduate.  The multi-country Run Against Gender-Based Violence was a wonderful accomplishment.  Our sports teams have great success in spite of significant financial challenges.  And our neighborhood meal get-togethers foster a sense of community.

Several years ago, some of Wellington’s teachers approached General Manager Oballah asking if it would be possible to find a way to keep him in Secondary School.  The son of a struggling single mom, in spite of excellent grades particularly in the sciences, math, and business, Wellington was about to be forced to end his education due to lack of school tuition and fees.  Fortunately, Equip Manyatta had received a bit of extra funding around then, and we were able to ensure that Wellington stayed in school.  In spite of continuing challenges, Wellington studied hard and did well.  Now he has passed his exit exams and is a graduate.  He is still considering what to do next, but this important achievement will be a solid basis for whatever he does now.  It is so satisfying to know we were able to help make this happen! 

The multi-country Run Against Gender-Based Violence was a huge success, with hundreds of participants in Kisumu, and many hundreds of additional participants in other parts of Kenya, other African countries, and in Iceland, which was the run’s sponsor country.  Kenya legend Tegla Larupe, winner of the 1994 and 1995 New York City Marathon, making her the first African woman to win a major US marathon, was an inspirational presence both in Kenya and in Iceland.  It was exciting for the MYRC leadership to help organize such a complex multi-cultural event and its success will help boost confidence in our ability to take on other major projects.

Funding to pay for away game expenses continues to be a perennial issue for Manyatta United Football Club. Our adult team is made up of young people brought up through the MYRC football program.   Despite sitting at the top of the FKF Division 2 Central Zone D with 24 points from 11 games, they recently had to forfeit a game against the Nyamira Super Eagles.  In spite of that forfeit, they are still at the top of the standings.  But they might have lost the opportunity to proceed this season because they lacked transportation funds and referee fees.  Coach Eddy put out a plea to supporters, but the very low income base in the Manyatta communities does not make it easy for fans to come up with a last-minute financial save. We are always seeking more local business underwriting for this team, but it is only sporadically available.  

The end of the year neighborhood gathering Super Sato was a satisfying way to close out 2024.  Our program participants, their families, and others in the neighborhood came together for a nourishing meal and a program of fun activities.  This has become a happy yearly tradition.  

Equip Manyatta, principal funder of the Manyatta Youth Resource Centre, is an independent US non-profit.  Our funding comes through grants from small foundations, contributions on GlobalGiving, and other intermittent donations.  While it is often a struggle to pay basic costs, at least we are not dependent on sudden swings in government funding.  But the only way we can keep going is with your support.  Thanks so much for your past generosity! Updating your donation would be really helpful.  And please keep us in mind if you have a family foundation or are engaged in estate planning.  Equip Manyatta and the Manyatta Youth Resource Centre cannot do this without your help!