Once again the Kenya I Care team had a busy month in July, with the aim of at least bringing change to the wonderful country of Kenya, if not the whole world. One of the major highlights was a comprehensive outreach in Bungoma county, in western Kenya.
On 10-17 July 2011 five of the Kenya I Care team were in Western Province of Kenya, Bungoma County, to have an intensive Kenya I Care outreach in the region. The team was hosted by the family of Julius Khakula - the current chair person of Initiatives of Change Kenya.
Just like in previous engagements with the youths, the percentage ratio of what they don’t like about Kenya to what they like about Kenya was 80% : 20%. Many of them pointed fingers to the leaders. The team moved around the county with the message, ‘As individuals we are responsible for the country’s current situation’. They took their time to inspire them to change this notion of pointing fingers at their neighbours and instead take the initiative and lead the way; and make their lives a message to others.
Skits and songs were on the top to give lessons of good leadership and responsibility. These mediums provided great impactl in driving the message home. The team also took their time to share the transformative culture of inner listening and living a reflective life.
In the course of the outreach many issues arose concerning the problems that are affecting the youth in the region. One head teacher shared how some of the young girls in the school are twilight girls, with the issues of truancy, forced early marriages, drugs and alcoholism, the issue of sugar mummies keeping young boys, and premarital sex. Most of the teachers requested us to discuss these problems as they felt there would be a greater impact when addressed by younger and different people as opposed to teachers doing it.
The team was also privileged to have a meeting that involved mainly the youth leaders in the region. It involved student leader representatives from Maseno University; Masinde Muliru University, Bungoma Teachers College, Dominion College, Pamus Teachers College and young professionals in the region. Issues, like unemployment and exploitation by political leaders concerning the youth were discussed. The forum also took time to discuss the way forward.
The team had a successful outreach in Bungoma, leading to quite an impact. However they were faced with quite a number of challenges: 
at one point the team had to walk for 28 kilometres as the area they were visiting had no public means of transport!
The team is delighted to have planted a seed in the Bungoma area and looks forward to seeing it grow. Special thanks to Rachael Wamalwa, Wafula Wakoli, Collines Wakoli and Ben Mwasame - part of IofC team in Bungoma - for being with us all through the session and guiding us through the region. Without them the mission would have been impossible. We also wish to give special gratitude to Julius Khakula and family for their hospitality and support during the period.
Special Appreciation to the following 14 Institutions:
Dominion College and Pamus Teachers College; Kamaliecho Youth Polytechnic; St. Theresa, Muslim and Beullah Girls Secondary Schools; Muslim, Bungoma DEB, Baptist, Kanduyi, Moi, Kimilili RC Girls, Kimilili RC Boys and Kimingichi AIC Primary Schools.
The fire in Kenya I Care continues to burn with the hope that Kenya and the world at large will be a better place for us and the future generation.
Outreach team comprised of; Samuel Muiruri-Nakuru, Mediatrix Shikoli-Eldoret, James Gitonga-Nakuru/Subukia, John Maina-Eldoret and Zacharia Muturi-Subukia/Nairobi.
Report by James Gitonga - Nakuru