Real People Real Stories

African Bead and Leather Design is a rural development initiative committed to empowering African artisans and showcasing their craftsmanship on the global stage. Based in Takaungu Village, Zinj has trained and continues to support over 80 artisans from the local community and surrounding areas.

Before joining Zinj, many of these artisans faced chronic unemployment or irregular work opportunities. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and sustainable employment, Zinj has helped transform local lives while preserving and elevating traditional African beadwork and leather artistry.

Yoga Heart Kenya is a Baptiste-affiliated yoga school based in Nairobi, Kenya, committed to using yoga as a tool for both personal transformation and community impact.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school pivoted to online Zoom classes, allowing them to continue teaching while raising funds through class proceeds and a GoFundMe campaign. These funds have supported vital feeding programs and outreach projects in low-income neighborhoods across Nairobi, as well as a dedicated food relief initiative for Maa families in Amboseli.

Yoga Heart Kenya blends mindfulness, movement, and meaningful action, proving that wellness can be a force for social good.

Wanderlust Diaries is a vibrant Facebook group founded by Dr. Amakove Wala, originally created as a space to share travel photos and stories. What began as a simple idea quickly took flight—growing to over 250,000 members within just a few months.

The heart of the group lies in a simple yet powerful invitation from Dr. Wala:
“I will share photos of places we've been to, both local and international, and why I love that particular place. If we can't travel by road or air, we can travel by FB. You can share too.”

Wanderlust Diaries has since become a digital passport for thousands of Africans, celebrating wanderlust, community, and storytelling through the lens of travel.

Maasai Mbili, commonly known as M2, is a renowned artist collective based in Kibera, Nairobi. Known for their bold and unapologetic style, M2 uses art as a tool for social commentary, infusing humour, satire, and sharp political critique into their work.

Their vibrant murals, installations, and performances tackle issues such as corruption, governance, and everyday struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans. Beyond creating art, M2 serves as a community space where creativity meets activism, encouraging dialogue, resistance, and reflection through visual storytelling.

M2 doesn’t just paint walls they challenge power, provoke thought, and inspire change.

Shoba is a self-taught chef whose culinary journey began with simple how-to-cook videos on Facebook. His weekly segment, Cookout Thursdays, quickly gained a loyal following and propelled him into the spotlight. The buzz around his creative dishes earned him a spot on a cooking show at Ebru TV, opening doors to professional gigs in various restaurants.

Today, Shoba brings his passion and bold flavors to life as the resident chef at Stutt Garden Hotel, where he continues to inspire food lovers with his unique twist on Kenyan and global cuisine.

Boguk is a bold fashion label based in Kibera, Nairobi, that collaborates closely with local tailors to produce stylish, culturally rooted designs. Founded by a dynamic team that includes a medical doctor, Boguk merges fashion with function and community empowerment.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Boguk was quick to respond by designing and selling face masks that adhered to WHO guidelines. Their timely innovation not only met urgent health needs but also provided income for local artisans during a difficult time.

Boguk continues to champion ethical fashion, proving that creativity and care can coexist even in crisis.

Bengatronics is a sensational independent record label redefining the soundscape of East Africa. Rooted in Benga, Kenya’s iconic dance rhythm, Bengatronics creates a retrofuturist fusion, blending traditional melodies with electronic beats and global genres like rhumba, jazz, hip hop, trap, and electronica.

Known for pushing sonic boundaries, Bengatronics recently released Lockdown Love, a 10-track digital album born from global isolation. Collaborating with artists around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project became a bold musical response to distance, uncertainty, and the shared need for connection through sound.

Moving the Goal Posts (MTG) is a sport-for-development organization that harnesses the power of sport to challenge and overcome the social barriers faced by girls and young women in coastal Kenya.

Through football and community engagement, MTG creates safe and inclusive spaces where girls can learn about their rights, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. The organization empowers them to take up leadership roles, make informed decisions, and boldly claim their place in society.

Arafa is an interdisciplinary visual and installation artist whose work spans structural design, set design, and graphic design. With a background in architecture, they explore the dynamic intersection of art and built space, crafting immersive installations that invite audiences to experience creativity through form, texture, and environment.

Arafa currently serves as an art director for several major festivals across East Africa, including Ongala Music Festival in Tanzania and Kilifi New Year in Kenya. Beyond installation work, they are also a freelance graphic designer and co-host of The Chai Podcast, a Tanzanian-based show that blends culture, conversation, and creativity.

Aldo is a counselling psychologist using the power of social media to spark meaningful conversations around mental health in Kenya. Through regular Instagram Live sessions, he hosts open, honest discussions with a wide range of guests; creating a safe, relatable, and judgment-free space for people to explore topics often considered taboo.

By blending professional insight with real-life experiences, Aldo is helping to break the stigma surrounding mental health and making support more accessible, one livestream at a time.