This week we start with Act 2. And for all who don’t know what Act 2 is all about, we are working intensely on the participants’ venture profiles: 1 catalyst with 4 to 5 participants. One of my mentees is George from Kenya, a father of a son with cerebral palsy. In his first dream […]
Blog – From Applause to Freedom: George’s ‘Swap the Parents’ approach for Real Inclusion Read More »
This week, shortly before an election debate, I overheard one of our participants, who is generally not afraid to speak up, telling one of the catalysts that he was not ready to get involved in politics. That made me think about what it really means to be political. The word politics comes from the ancient
Blog – Can we afford not to be political? Read More »
Tuesday 17-07-2026 marked one year at kanthari. After twelve months of learning, debates, simulations, and countless discussions, I’ve reached a remarkable conclusion. I know fewer things for sure than when I arrived. But that is progress as it comes in mysterious forms. The biggest learning for me, the change in the unit through which I
Blog – A year of Unlearning Read More »
What a day! The campus is finally quiet because almost everyone has fallen fast asleep. Only a few hours ago, participants were running from stall to stall, chasing donors, pitching their projects, and proudly presenting their newly developed concepts. It was wonderful to see the confidence they had gained. But before they could speak so
Blog – How We Learned to Unlearn Read More »
When we began developing our curriculum, a journey in five acts, we first tried to understand the situations in which we learned best. Just a few days ago, during a session in the auditorium: “Who loves a good, long phone call with a friend?” A chorus of approval filled the room. “And who enjoys calling
Blog – The Lasting Power of experiential learning Read More »
Who would have thought that kanthari change-makers could turn problems into products within only one week? It all started during the COVID years when we designed the INANI program. Inani is a Zulu word meaning “value.” It is also an acronym standing for Independent, Natural, Alternative, Nutritious, and Inventive. The idea emerged from a global
Blog – The inani Effect Read More »
Mary Mutua, founder of Twajali and a kanthari alumna (2023), grew up partly in the slums of Nairobi and chose not just to escape limited opportunities, but to challenge the systems behind them. After a career in hotel management, she founded a hospitality training initiative for youth from informal settlements and later reimagined it during
An impact journey – Mary Mutua Read More »
This week, I received a long email from my mother, who travelled through three countries, just to catch a glimpse of a famous painting by Titian. My mother is 87 years old and, of course, the painting was not the only goal of this adventure. It was also proof, for herself and for everyone around
Sometimes we are simply on the wrong floor Read More »
The auditorium is completely silent. Only the soft hum of the spotlights and the never-ending complaints of the crows outside break the stillness. Then the music begins. At first, barely audible. Slowly, the powerful crescendo of an organ fills the hall: Also sprach Zarathustra. Since 2009, every kanthari participant had to endure this musical piece
kanthari – Courage to Speak Read More »
One of the most fascinating transformations we witness every year is watching participants slowly take off their “student hat” and replace it with the much heavier helmet of a future founder. Students around the world are given strict policies. They become remarkably skilled at bending rules, tweaking regulations, and turning loophole-hunting into an Olympic sport.
Mind the Bumps: Entering Founder Territory Read More »