Drama, Dance, Music, & Sport for Kisumu Youth

Football continues to be a core program at the Manyatta Youth Resource Centre (MYRC) in Kisumu, Kenya.  Principally funded by Equip Manyatta, the MYRC provides a full range of football teams ranging from the youngest at Under-9 years of age all the way up to our Senior Team, Manyatta United.  But coupled with the life skills learned through team play, our girls and boys and young women and men, also learn the value of contributing to their community and our world. 

In late April, our national division two team Manyatta United Football Club (FC) came together with other local groups for a successful cleanup program at an illegal dumping site near Kosawo Market in Kisumu.  Besides clearing the trash, lines of trees were planted that will grow over time to shade the area. MYRC leadership instills knowledge throughout the organization about United Nations sustainable development goals and the UN call for urgent action to combat climate change. Activities are held regularly to enhance the Manyatta community. 

These community activities mesh well with a recent workshop about "Why hands-on skills matter."  The presenter, African Futures Network Director Newton Ogada, gave memorable guidance on how to use our hands as resources to generate income from scratch and to avoid thinking that some skills are too small to bother with.  Working with our hands can be a powerful way to engage with the world and the job market.  A few examples given were Tailoring, Carpentry, Farming, Graphic Design, Video Editing, Repair Work, and Cooking,  

And then there is the core of the football program.  May saw the launching of Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season 5. It was an honour to again be invited and be part of this well-organized, nationwide round of games.  It gives our young people an outstanding opportunity to explore their talent and strive to do better. 

We were pleased that one of our young players, now an adult, was again recognized for his skills.  Duncan O, was recently named the Young Player of the Season at Nairobi United FC.  Duncan came up through the MYRC system from an early age.  We congratulate his continued successes. 

Football is only one of the core programs at the Manyatta Youth Resource Centre.  But it is a vitally important draw for many young people in the community.  It also can be an opening to discovering other interests.  Thank you for your continued support for Equip Manyatta.  Working together our efforts make our world a better place.