By the Alumni Relations Office

Photo: ITANYA
Caption: The trainees and the facilitators show off their vision boards at the end of the training session. Photo: Courtesy.
Daphne Mukami Kimani, an Alumni of the United States International University- Africa, is a young, passionate empowerment advocate with a heart to develop and transform lives especially of people living in slum communities. Daphne's brainchild, The Itanya Youth Network, based in Githogoro, was birthed with the objective of creating access to life changing opportunities for underprivileged individuals that they otherwise may not have.
Githogoro, located on the Northern Bypass neighboring the afuent Runda estate is a prime target for this development initiative to help alleviate prevailing challenges such as unsanitary living conditions and rising unemployment. Itanya is a native Kenyan word from the Kikuyu tribe that means sincere intention. It was birthed from the passion to see lives transformed and empowered in communities. Itanya seeks to give hope by building local capacity for leadership development, entrepreneurial skills and creating educational and employment opportunities to ensure that under privileged individuals can also be agents of change within their own communities
It is against this background that Daphne has rolled out a 30-day Leadership Training Program throughout May 2023. This program kicked off on Monday, May 8, at the Tribe Hotel. USIU-Africa alumna, Ms. Hannah Githuki, spoke to the youth numbering about 50, on “Visioning”. Hannah is a Business Trainer, Personal Branding Coach, author, a sought after Vision Board Facilitator and Founder of Inside Out Development.
The Vision Board Party was not only an impactful event, but also transformative to the lives of the young people from the slum of Githogoro. Besides learning how to develop their own vision boards so as to intentionally pursue their dreams, the youth were also imparted with skills on Leadership and Economic Empowerment. Other keynote speakers of the day included:

• Kambua Mathu, a renowned Kenyan Gospel Artist.
• Maureen Waititu, Lawyer and popular Social Media Influencer
• Andra Van Den Bos - Romanian Fashion Designer and Founder of Moyo
• Caroline Gitau, a Life Coach, and alumna of USIU-Africa
• Faith Kinyua, Legal Trainer, Avvy Group
• BennyHinn Walubengo, a renowned Orator, Author and President of ISpeak Society.