Drama, Dance, Music, & Sport for Kisumu Youth

Looking at some of the photos from the Manyatta Youth Resource Centre (MYRC) in Kisumu, Kenya, primarily funded by Equip Manyatta, it is clear that many of the wide variety of activities and programs the MYRC provides not only build life skills and impart information but are also just plain joyful.    

Providing wholesome activities for the young people of the manyatta slums is one of the principal purposes of the MYRC.  Depending on their interests, young people can gain skills in visual and performing arts, computers, non-violent dispute resolution, healthy living, and football for all ages, girls and boys, young women and men. Young people who engage in MYRC programs are given a positive vision for who they can be and what their future might hold. 

The new year started with a focus on making sure our participants can stay in school. Through the caring intervention of General Manager Oballah, we ensured that promising Secondary School student Will, son of a struggling single mom, had tuition money he otherwise would not have had.  Supplies like shoes and books were also needed. Free Secondary School is not available in Kenya. There have been times we did not have the resources to cover these types of expenses but in this moment, fortunately they were available.  Will shows a lot of promise.  His teacher tells us he also helps others to understand their school work.  We wish him the best for this year in school. 

The MYRC continues to be a trusted partner when a donor wants to make sure the donation actually reaches its intended destination.  Recently a generous donation by Beatrice W of rice, a staple food in Kenya, was delivered by GM Oballah to recipient schools to feed the children.  

Donations of soccer kits by local businesses continue to be very helpful in ensuring our football teams turn out looking good. The most recent of these, for both boys and girls, was from Kiwasco, the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company. 

Football continues to provide a lot of joy.  Manyatta United fields very strong teams.  At the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Chapa Dimba tournament in Kisumu in late 2022, both our girls Under-20 team and our boys U-20 team were the Champion teams for Nyanza North.  Early in 2023, our young men also won the National Division II Central Zone D Final in a very hard-fought game, coming out ahead with a 1-0 Final score. These players have come up through the years on MYRC training and have developed outstanding skills and teamwork.  

We look forward to a healthy and productive 2023 where the young people of Kisumu’s manyattas can participate in MYRC’s wide range of interesting activities, which will allow them to grow as human beings and joyfully flourish.  Thank you for your help through the years!  Your ongoing support is crucial.  We hope your generosity will bring you joy!