Youth Café : A Leo Project Initiative
Youth Café By Mark Kusi
The inevitable will always come disguised as coincidence. I thought it was a coincidence when I was introduced to the Leo Project Youth Café. Now, it is crystal clear that I inevitably belong here. Being a safe space with no judgment or reprimand, sharing our thoughts and fears is now just a norm. With our monthly dose of new topics hosted in different venues, I can’t help but appreciate why variant is the spice of life.
The Leo Project, under our delightful founder, Jess, witnessed the woes of many young adults in Nanyuki, heightened during Covid-19. All of their unspoken battles and struggles, coupled with ideas, shone brightly. The conception of the Youth Café in Nanyuki was the flag-start to something bigger. We live following the spirit of democracy, as defined by Abraham Lincoln. We choose what we want and identify the reason we want it. Then, through an array of professionals partnering with the Project, we find suitable solutions tailored just for us.
I believe that “fun” should be the middle name of Youth Café, because that’s exactly how I would describe these gatherings. My favorite session focused on the book “Little Matches”. I am currently a proud owner of a personalized copy, signed by the author herself, Maryanne O’Hara, whom I’ve had the honor and pleasure of meeting when she hosted our December conversation. We cannot forget all the pleasantries surrounding the monthly functions - from amazing snacks to scrumptious pizzas (I love food). All of this community building and thought sharing is made possible through the Leo Project Youth Café initiative.
In Kenya, we preach the harambe philosophy, meaning, “pull together”. With this philosophy guiding the Youth Café, the sky's our limit. Through community support, I see a future where tackling phobias becomes an enjoyable activity. Creating a Youth Hub is a stepping stone toward that future. I believe that solving the main challenge of young adults (unemployment) is achieved through empowerment. Moreover, I believe that my peers and I can best help The Leo Project attain some of its core goals, such as adult literacy, by engaging with our local network to educate and inspire. I am excited to see what the future holds for our Leo Project community.