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 »
Slowly, the campus is filling with life again. Sitting on the roof terrace, from where I can hear everyone, but no one can see me, I listen to laughter, excited greetings, and the familiar sounds of new beginnings. I keep waiting for the dogs to growl at the “new intruders”, but surprisingly, all three are
Sounds of new beginnings – Blog Read More »
“You might not know much about Congo,” Elie said, “but I assure you: every one of you carries a piece of Congo in your pocket.” Dear friends and supporters, Elie Mastaki, a young Congolese change-maker, spoke with quiet strength about his country’s breathtaking beauty; fire-spitting volcanoes, the world’s second-largest rainforest, mighty rivers, and vast lakes.
Happy Holidays wishes from kanthari Read More »
kanthari blog – Justus Muhwezi – Uganda “Good morning, Muhwezi. I heard Sabondo, your brother, is no more. He died last night.” This is the message I received while I was in India attending the Kanthari leadership course, far away from my family. I was born and raised in Kabale District, southwestern Uganda, in the
Leadership Rooted in rural Ugandan Community Read More »
kanthari blog – Alfred Ngulo – Tanzania That day, my body became a broken compass spinning in pain, directionless, beneath a mango tree. I had tried to walk, but my legs had turned to water and my sight to fog. Just as I surrendered to the silence, a stranger appeared and gave me a second
When Malaria Struck, Purpose Awakened Read More »
kanthari blog – Esther Oke – Nigeria I was in my third year, trapped in a lecture hall I hated. The professor was talking about complex formulas, but all I heard was noise. I felt like a fraud pretending to be a student. I looked again at the photograph of our village’s only clinic at
The Day I Walked Out, And Found Myself Read More »
kanthari blog – Adelaide Bih – Cameroon Imagine overhearing your grandparents worrying about where to borrow money so you can go to the hospital while you’re lying sick in bed? That was me as a child. I felt like a burden. My grandparents had spent everything they had, but my health just wouldn’t improve. I
When Sickness meets poverty – health care in Cameroon Read More »