The journey and focus towards rallying everyone to embark on a lifetime commitment to social impact just got closer through the success of the second edition of the Relinked Social Impact in Action Forum. On the eighth floor of the Kenya Comfort Suites in the Milimani suburb of Nairobi city, delegates excitedly gathered at 2:00 PM on November 10, 2023, to catch every moment of the forum, a testament to the growing interest it has created since the first edition four months earlier. The value and significance of this event are derived from its nature, where it emphasizes maximum learning and sharing of knowledge through direct individual interactions and guided reflections on important subjects.
Discussions this day were centered on helping the attendees achieve increased impact through their initiatives and projects in their organizations.
Through the topic, Organizations that thrive: Looking at a set of systems, processes, and culture that set organizations to achieve their Social impact objectives, Ms. Lilian Kibagendi, the Education Program Manager at iHub Nairobi, set the tone of the forum by challenging attendees to sharpen their focus and concentration towards the most important job of a business or organization. And this, she opined, should be to ‘improve society’ as more people care about businesses and organizations that do good for society. Her keynote delved deeper into the issues around the Environmental Impact of our actions that affect Climate Change and Resource Management within organizations; Social Impact, looking at workforce and human resource matters, the customers and/or beneficiaries, and the wider society; and the Governance Processes as concerns the Board/Management, Incentives/Recognition, Accountability, and other key aspects that contribute to great organizational culture, for maximum positive societal impact.
The forum was set in such a way that everyone could maximize their participation and derive the most value and significance through interacting with each other and hearing the impact stories of each organization present. By learning from one another, delegates were challenged to align their organizational strategies for effective social impact.
As an impact-in-action forum that promises to showcase changemakers and expose them to opportunities that elevate their mission and impact in new ways, there was a segment in the program for select organizations and individuals present to share their impact journey, the lessons gleaned, and the challenges encountered along the way.
First to take the stage during the impact in action segment was Ingrid Amunga, the Program Officer at The Pangea Network. She shared about the broader work of the organization in Kenya, and the impact realized especially in the lives of the youth and women they reach out to with education, leadership, and economic empowerment programs. The Pangea Network believes that everyone deserves an education and an opportunity to reach their full potential.
Amb. Maryben Omollo, the founder of Greeneseal Cleaners and Pest Controllers, and The Maryben Foundation, was also on the podium to talk about her journey as an entrepreneur, mental health advocate, and youth leader; delving into her personal experiences of how she managed to turn her life around from a near-death experience into an ambassador and a mental health champion who walks with people facing mental health problems to find purpose in life and march towards recovery.
Representing the Nairobits Trust was their Communications Officer Alex Oburu, who shared about their work in Kenya and the impact on the lives of young people from low-income backgrounds they work with.
Nairobits Trust uses ICT to empower disadvantaged youth from the informal settlements of Nairobi by offering programs that unlock careers in tech through digital skills training and professional integration with the labor market. Since its inception, the organization has impacted the lives of over 10,000 youth in Kenya and continues to make tech accessible as a life-changing and solution-building tool for vulnerable youth. At least 62 percent of the trained participants have successfully been placed in IT jobs, self-employment, and community service.
Ms. Damaris Kariuki – Portfolio Manager at Hanns Seidel Foundation Kenya, shared about the amazing work HSF does; promoting informed citizen participation in democratic processes, good governance, and sustainable economic development.
Damaris is passionate about mainstreaming gender and youth aspects in different projects she has an opportunity to be part of.
Featured in the ‘Rising to Action’ segment was the Mwananchi Healthcare Watch Initiative (MHWI), a newly formed nonprofit, consumer-oriented, membership-based health advocacy initiative that serves Kenyans whose access to health care and financial security are compromised by structural barriers, affordability, poor health delivery, lack of information, and unfair business practices in the healthcare industry. MHWI builds the power of people to amplify the consumer voice for improving healthcare quality, pricing, equity, and access for all Kenyans. Their vision is to empower citizens to protect and advocate for high-quality healthcare services and live their healthiest lives.
The visionary founder of the Mwananchi Healthcare Watch Initiative, Mr. Elikana (Erick) Nyakango, was present in the forum to speak about the initiative. Erick is an experienced healthcare management consultant who works with the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) in Colorado, USA. He is a passionate advocate for accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all.
Speaking on behalf of the forum’s partner and sponsor, the Green Africa Group, was Knight Chepngetich, who showcased the work of the organization and its impact across the country, highlighting their portfolio, and the ‘Think Green Act Green’ way of thinking that has informed their approach to service over the years. These are:
This unwavering support, partnership, and sponsorship from the Green Africa Group played an enormous role in the success of this forum. It contributed to the creation of a ripple effect for the growth of sustainable organizations and community impact, and the enhancement of a lifetime commitment to social impact.
It was also great to have Joy Kalua, the CEO of Autopax, a local electric vehicle (EV) company in Kenya under the Green Africa Group, attend the forum. She spoke about how the company is revolutionizing the pre-owned cars industry and how their affordable and reliable electric vehicles are tailored to meet the unique needs of the Kenyan market.
As the success of this second edition is a springboard and a huge stepping stone to what lies ahead, it has boldened the resolve of Relinked Group to continue on this transformational path focusing on making a positive social impact by influencing, unlocking potential, and equipping organizations and individuals with tools and inspiration to sustain their efforts.
