Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Standard | Youthful pursuits

Here is an article of me in the EveGal pullout in the Wednesday Standard 22nd February 2012


Eunice Kilonzo is a 22-year-old Media Intern with HIV Free Generation, G-Pange writes FLORENCE ONYANGO

Where do you study?

I am in third year at the University of Nairobi where I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Political Science and Literature.

What is HFG all about?
The partnership for an HIV Free Generation-Kenya is a public-private partnership for a youth HIV prevention initiative. It compliments efforts by the Government of Kenya on the same. What’s cool about HFG/K is the approach it takes in achieving its objectives, youth friendly services best describes HFG/K.

How long have you been working with HFG?
As of the end of this month, it will be two months. Feels like I have been here longer though.

What does your job entail?
Currently, HFG is on a 360 degrees media campaign. Therefore as a media intern, I am involved with G-Pange ads, G-Pange Young Journalists who write for Standard Pulse and Generation Next as well as the Radio team in QFM and EasyFM. I also assist in other administrative tasks.

What do you enjoy best about your job?
Working for young people, is a dream come true. Knowing that I am part of a great initiative, to reduce HIV infections among the 64 per cent of Kenya’s population (youth), is both an experience and an opportunity to reach out to my peers. Kind of I know where the shoe pinches.


Eunice Kilonzo
Any challenges you face at work?
I look at it more like experiences than challenges. One, for instance, is putting school theory work into the real life situation. One needs to go beyond school work and get the on-job training. Another thing is feeling that as a young person, I am not adequate enough for a task, but it takes believing in oneself, kuG-Amini, having a great supervisor like Jacqueline Achieng’ who is always with me.

What motivates you when it comes to your work?
Each new day is my motivation, a new chance to life. I look at it as another chance to make a difference. The best part is knowing that today is a chance I didn’t have yesterday. 

What message does G-Pange have for the youth?
G-Pange believes in the youth, their capabilities and their future. It takes initiative of a youth to design their destiny. If you are a young person then G-Pange is a companion you ‘must’ have/know! 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like to read African authored books, write essays, short stories and poems. I also like to travel and photography.

What the best advice you have ever received concerning life in general?
My mum is the wisest woman I know. She always says, put God first in all that you do, need and desire. He has a plan laid out for you, you need to trust in Him and He will not fail you. True enough, God has a master plan for me; it is just a matter of time.

Who is your role model?
My role model is my mother, Jane Kilonzo. She is a great personality, is understanding and accommodating. Her love for my sister and I and sacrifice she makes for us is unmatched. I hope to be (if I am not yet) half of what she is. Hope to make her proud as I am of her.

Monday, February 6, 2012

To tell or not to tell?


Wee mguys, umeskia?’Voke blurted out.
Hush they will hear…” Jay said almost immediately.
Its that story…about Pato’s bro…” Voke tried to whisper.
Iza bana, sasa unataka wajue tunamjua?" Jay said hoping to terminate the conversation.
Kwani? si tunamjua.?’Voke responded almost shouting.
Jay now really agitated said “Skia Voke,ukidaisha tunamjua tutakuwa kwa list pia..infact (snatching away the ball on Voke’s hands) harakisha game itaanza..”
Relax Jay…those guys are looking for Pato’s BROTHER…he is a wanted man….
Walking ahead in a hurry. “Voke listen me siambi mtu kitu… Pato’s bro atajisort..he is a wanted man YES but are we the ones looking for him??..Plus hujaskia gava ni msumeno…hukata mbele na nyuma…so I won’t snitch…walk faster, you know am the referee today.’

Voke unruffled retorted “Pato’s bro, Roy violently robbed and shot down our teacher…Roy is armed Jay. We need to let the authorities know…at least for our…our…
Jay now really angry cuts him short NKT!!!SHUT UP Voke…Mr.macharia acted as if he owned the school…I…I… (grins) infact Roy is enroute to…to… Mo-ga-di-shu…heard that…MOGADISHU they won’t get him!

Voke tries to speak but he’s chocked by Jay’s stinging words, his tomach got fuzzy. His lips dried. He was numb. He barely kicked the ball and he left the pitch before the game ended. Pato was also missing from the game.

Peculiar.

Voke left with his head drooping, heavy with thoughts. As he passed the street they had overheard the men talk earlier in the evening, he saw a police officer on patrol.

He debated whether or not to tell…

SHOULD I…SHOULD I NOT??


 
A-S-K-A-R-I…I think …I know something…” Voke’s sharp voice echoed in the deserted street…as he approached the police officer half smiling.

© Eunice Kilonzo