THOUSANDS PARTICIPATE IN THE MATER HEART RUN- MOMBASA

The turn out today was simply incredible as hundreds and thousands showed up at The Mombasa Sports Club,the venue of the event, to participate in this noble charity event that aims at raising funds to help those with heart conditions especially pediatrics to get the surgeries needed for them to lead normal lives or at least near normal lives. The annual event also took place at The Nyayo Stadium (Nairobi),The Kenyatta Stadium (Machakos) and Mumias Sports Complex (Mumias).

The M.C was Michel Otieno aka Dj. Lenium of Baraka Fm and on the decks was Spincycle’s very own popular charismatic and entertaining deejay, Dj. Bonez who kept the crowd alive with his great skills. He also managed to pose for some photos with some of the leaders of Mombasa who came out to show their support.

The Coast leaders in attendance included the Senator Hon. Hassan Sarai Omar whose performance among Senators in the whole country has been excellent and the Mvita M.P Hon Abdulswamad Nassir among other leaders. Mombasa County Youth Initiative members also attended and were very vibrant as they carried their banner high. Mombasa County Youth Initiative is the mother of Mocoyo Investment Limited and is made up of at least 30 like minded individuals pooling funds together so that the same can be channeled towards meaningful and viable investments. One of the members of this group is the Pwani artist King Sting who’s latest single called ‘Nipe Nipone’ is getting massive airplay.

The Mater Hospital first embraced the Pediatric Cardiac Program in 1994 after it relocated from Gertrude Gardens Children’s Hospital. Initially the local doctors only diagnosed and performed relatively minor surgeries, referring the bulk of the work overseas. In 1995 when the doctors did their first ‘closed’ heart surgery at The Mater: The program has grown from 20 open hearts annually to 200 cases a year.

To date since 1996, more than 2,500 children have been treated either by surgery or interventional cardiac catheterization by the Mater Cardiac Program. The majority are Kenyan children; however children from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia have also been treated.

The Mater Heart Run helps raise funds for the needy as cardiac operations are very expensive and most parents are unable to raise the funds for their children. The sponsors including Nairobi and Mombasa city counties,media houses like the Standard Media Group and Baraka Fm,Banks like Chase Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Insurance Companies including Old Mutual and Jubilee insurance,Supermarkets including Nakumatt Supermarket among other many companies and organizations not mentioned here have contributed enormously throughout the years in the success of this positive initiative. The other great sponsor is the common mwananchi who spares some amount to give to the needy and back to the community. It is truly devastating to have a child with a heart condition and not be able to help them. However with the help of all of us we can help each other as children are our future,the future of Kenya and the future of the whole world.

You can support the cause in touching a child’s heart by purchasing Mater Heart Run merchandise, coming soon to a Nakumatt and Galitos store near you. You can also contribute  by donating to their MPESA Paybill 526300 Account No: HeartRun.

I am proud of my city Mombasa for hosting and participating in such events and for making a huge difference in a child’s life. Please visit their website for more details and information on their future events.

Written/Compiled by: Harriet Mukana

Photos Courtesy of Omondi Wa Mercedese and David Pyper

TALANTA AFRICA ARTS GROUP EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE AT ALLIANCE FRANCAISE

It has been an eventful weekend in Mombasa and i couldn’t let it pass without sharing with you the amazing experience i had at Alliance Francaise on Friday 8th of May 2015. At exactly 7 p.m the Talanta Africa Arts Group presented a dance production dubbed  ‘THE STRINGS’ which involved short stories delivered through contemporary dance. The Talanta Africa dancers including beautiful,flexible and energetic dancers like Mamu and Amina together with Davido and Remmy among others kept us glued to the stage watching as they told different stories that raised a series of emotions including joy and sadness plus utmost excitement.

Artists like Nolly Wilson Raye presented short stories and in this particular one he did a great job playing the role of a village messenger. Victor,the MC of the night kept us entertained with his many jokes and funny voice.

One of the dancers that struck me as the most amazing was Ibra also known as Prof. Ibra. Despite being disabled,he was extra-ordinary on the stage and could dance way better than some of us who have been blessed with two feet. Using his strong arms Ibra managed to ‘bust a move’ with the audience utterly shocked at what he was able to do. Ibra is a funny,charismatic and energetic dancer and a proud father plus loving husband. He clearly proved that ‘Disability is surely not Inability’.

The show couldn’t end without the Talanta Africa Acrobats showing us what they got. These guys were simply outstanding. Apart from being great entertainers,they were full of energy and had so much fun on the stage. Highly skilled and masculine,their execution of every move was phenomenal. For me their chants were funny in a very crazy way.

The show ended with Remmy Omar,the artistic director of Talanta Africa Arts Group giving a vote of thanks to the Alliance Francaise Director for providing them with a great venue,the Little Theatre Club manager for providing them with space where they do their dance rehearsals,the Wangama Media Photography and Judy Kwamboka the photographer and all the guests for attending and supporting them and the talents in Mombasa and the Coast Region as a whole. Talanta Africa Arts Group has promised that they have more shows coming soon and at the same time there are different artists showcasing their talent in music and art at Alliance Francaise at least every month so if you are in Mombasa,kindly make your way their and get to witness for yourself the prodigious talents and support these young talents. 

Story By: Harriet Mukana

Photos courtesy of Wangama Photography/Judy Kwamboka

STAR OF THE SEA ALUMNI MAKING IT BIG

Eunice Kilonzo scooped the Young Journalist of the Year Award on the 4th May of 2015 which was awarded by the Media Council of Kenya during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards that took place at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (K.I.C.C) Nairobi. Other journalists that were victorious included Mohammed Ali and John Allan Namu of the famous Jicho Pevu among others.

The beautiful and talented 25 year old finished her O level at Star of the Sea High School in Mombasa in 2007 and her teachers including Mrs. Kilingi and Mrs .Komono were very instrumental in her writing. Her family and friends have also been very supportive and been with her through every step. She is forever grateful to her mother and sister who have always been her inspiration and backbone.

She pursued her passion at the University of Nairobi studying Bachelor of Arts and specialized in Political Science, Communications and Literature.

During her final examination in May 2013,she was given the covetous opportunity to join Nation Media Group. For the past 2 years she has been working as a trained journalist through a program called Media Lab that is highly competitive to get it but with her strong personality,hard work and skills she aced it. Currently she writes on health,science and the environment.

With hobbies like travelling,reading and eating, Eunice gets to deliver at work at the same time enjoy herself. She also likes mentoring people and believes that people need not let the society define them,that they should focus on who they want to be,work towards it and hang out with positive people. Positivity is contagious.

Eunice admits that she believes in her skills and what drives her is the need to tell stories that resonate with people that in turn calls for change,growth and development.

She recently traveled to Israel and reports that if she were a politician,she would prioritize on education. Education that not only instills a sense of patriotism for Kenya but also education that makes each of us a job creator.

  

Star of the Sea High School has managed to nature amazing talents,successful independent women and patriotic citizens. Eunice Kilonzo is one of them and is definitely a name to look out for in the Media world as the award she received recently is just but the beginning to her career.

Written By: Harriet Mukana

Photos courtesy of Eunice Kilonzo