By Keevan Labowitz | Co-Chair, Equip Manyatta
It’s the holiday season, but also the season for champions at the Manyatta Youth Resource Center (MYRC) in Kisumu, Kenya.
The performing arts section at the MYRC celebrated success at this year’s Vybez Awards in Kisumu where singer and songwriter, Nahna won the award for Best Female Artist in Kisumu, and Producer Jamal was recognized when a song he produced won Song of the Year. These are the first awards that members from the MYRC have won at the Vybez Awards, but it is clear that the musicians and producers coming from the MYRC will be players on the Kisumu music scene for years to come.
There was celebration and excitement in the sports department of the MYRC as well. The MYRC boys teams for U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18 all finished first in their categories in the Kisumu Youth Football Association’s (KYFA) local leagues while our U-14 girls team finished second overall, only behind our close friends at Shaurimoyo Secondary. Every team sponsored by the MYRC had qualified for the mini-league playoffs. The MYRC office hosted an over night camp with the playoff contending teams and after fierce competition, the U-14 girls and U-14 boys as well as the U-18 boys have all qualified for the final matches to be played December 1, 2013. Qualifying for the final matches is no small accomplishment as it means that our teams beat out over 200 teams from over 30 local leagues to qualify.
As the MYRC prepares for the final matches, I am preparing for my return to Kisumu this December. I will spend 90 days in Kisumu, working closely with the MYRC to increase sustainability and create long lasting programs.
This holiday season is a great time to give, as your donations will have an immediate impact during my trip. These funds will not be used towards my travel expenses. All donations are used directly towards funding programs and operations in Kisumu.
Our need is as great as ever. Donations made this holiday season will still count as tax-exempt for 2013. Give for the holidays and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of youth in Kenya!
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