Diing Magot

    Ahmed Sasso at Souk, village market. KENYA - Ahmed Sasso is the owner of Souk,  a business that sells dry fruits as an alternative to candy at the village market, Nairobi, for Kenyans who enjoy imported dry fruits, nuts, and chocolates from different countries. This is the first time that Ahmed who is influenced by his Lebanese background, is trying out this venture in Kenya. The business has a high demand in Lebanon but in Kenya, the concept is still foreign. Souk has been open for only two months but customers keep coming back for their products. On a Friday afternoon, I met Sasso at Souk.During the interview, I was interrupted by customers who were inquiring about his products. I took the opportunity to look around the shop which had a  unique design and logo by Nour Samman an International graphic designer.The products were strategically placed from the entrance to the cashier area.There is also a black wall that has writing that informs c...

KENYA - Bike repairer, Paul Mwangi starts his day at 8 a.m by assembling his spare tires next to a tree that provides shade for him. His workstation is an open area at Komarock phase 3b. Next to the tree is a broken bicycle that he will work on later in the day.His workplace is also in a busy area as buses, motorbikes, and matatus with loud music pass by. Opposite his workstation is a ditch with flowing water. There is also a businessman who is creating furniture opposite him. After a while, he is joined by friends who laugh out loud as he works on a bicycle.They are intrigued by politics and argue about which political party is more popular. One of them has a newspaper that he uses as a reference to argue his points.A few minutes later, some children bring in their bicycles to be repaired. Mwangi started his occupation in 2005. As a child, riding bicycles was his hobby.When he grew up his first job was of a bicycle repairer at the industrial area, Nairobi.When he realized he ha...

Davina-Field Marsham in the centre holding a baby wrapped in a purple blanket KENYA   - Most teenagers go to malls to pass time but   Davina Field- Marsham  is no ordinary teenager . At just 16 she has created, Do right, a project that sells non-profit stylish bracelets at malls in Kenya and Canada. The non- profit organisation  sells bracelets with a purpose of using its profits to encourage women to visit clinics during pregnancy. She also provides women with postnatal care bundles  that contain nappies, blankets, soap and a pamphlet that provides more information about the post natal period with an aim to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity. The bracelets are made at Langata women's Maximum prison by trained women prisoners.When the bracelets are sold they get paid in salary which is sent to their  families. I met Davina on a Sunday afternoon at Yaya centre. She had positive energy which attracted people towards...

NAIROBI - Chocolate, wine, and cheese enthusiasts were in for a treat during the weekend as Exhibitors showcased their finest samples to the public from all over the globe at Westgate Shopping mall 22nd-25th  March. Exhibitors who displayed their products at tables informed their potential customers about their products. The wine and chocolate festival offered a variety and different taste for customers who were curious about the exhibition. When you arrive at the shopping mall you are welcomed by exhibitors who have strategically placed their tables as they patiently wait for someone to approach them.I could tell that Kenya has a market for wine by the number of people who did a wine tasting at the tables.I made eye contact with a lady who had bottles of wine on her table. As I approached her, she was smiling.I had a feeling that I will learn something new. The lady told me that she has attended wine classes in South Africa and has 5 years of experience in sales and ...

    Courtesy of westgate mall fb page KENYA - The rains did not stop health lovers from attending the organic market  opening on friday  at Mwanzi road , Westlands where business owners  showcased their natural products (15-17 March )  to the public as they convinced them to  buy organic products for health purposes. The organic food market exhibition has created a platform for local companies to market their vegetables , natural herbs and spices , organic honey and peanut butter as well as other products. Companies such as Moringa for life , valley green fruit preserve, ambitious condiment , Moravo naturals , Rose bee honey took advantage of the opportunity . Lately there has been a lot of lifestyle diseases from consuming from fast food joints and buying processed  products from local supermarkets that have found a market in Kenya .Consuming the processed foods has led to heart disease and complicated diseases such as cancer as well....

NAIROBI - Beth Warugura , the founder of  girl aid foundation, created awareness about  the taboos associated with menstruation and lack of sanitary towels by asking willing participants to sign on a wall at Yaya Centre. Girl aid foundation was founded in 2016 after getting enough funding and the required permits from the government.The  aim of the foundation is to keep girls in school by increasing their  attendance during their menstruation period and reducing the shame that is associated with it. I met Waruguru on a hot Wednesday afternoon.She spoke about her project with so much hope for the future. She also shared  what inspired her to start the foundation and why she is campaigning for the girl child. She grew up in a rural area , in South kinangop , central province where she attended primary school. Later on she went to  Kiabi girls high school which is in the same area. After that, She decided to move to Nairobi to study for a...

Working in the media is interesting because you get to work with experienced journalists, writers, and editors.Some of them are usually the main stars on television. When I was an intern, I got star struck because of seeing them in real life. It took me a while to get used to them but once I stayed in the same room as them, it became easier to get used to them as normal people. I was an intern at a local station in Nairobi Kenya, I was so excited.  I couldn't believe that they called me for an interview, I was so nervous at first but I somehow managed to make it through the very casual interview which took place on the balcony. The lady who interviewed me was from the HR Department and also my boss.Two weeks later I was called back to be an intern for the station, I was so excited, I couldn't believe that I got such an opportunity following so many rejections from broadcast stations. I love working in the media it makes me learn something new every day about people...