ALIN trains Laikipia CBO on blogging to aid in knowledge sharing

By Felistar Mpanei

The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) on February 12th and 13th, 2015 trained four (4) members of Yiaku Laikipiak Trust (YLT) on blogging and basic journalism skills. The training which took place in Nanyuki, Laikipia East is set to spur knowledge sharing as YLT will now be able to document and disseminate their project activities.

The training was conducted to complement an earlier training for United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program (SGP) grantees from Laikipia County.

The CBO was also trained on news writing, creative writing, feature writing, photography, interviewing and media law and ethics. This is one of the additional ways that is being used in aiding knowledge sharing amongst the grantees.

This is expected to not only enhance their online visibility but also help in closing knowledge gaps, improving accessibility of indigenous knowledge as well as ensuring that communities are better informed about Sustainable Land Management (SLM).

Hon. Jennifer Koinante, Executive Director, YLT and also a nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) in Laikipia County, noted that the training will enable the organization share knowledge emanating from their work for a wider dissemination.

“I am glad that ALIN decided to train some members of Yiaku Laikipiak Trust on blogging. This is a great opportunity for us as we will now be able to share our project activities with our partners and the general public,” said Hon. Koinante.

Risper Raisan, 21, a student at Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) noted that the training has enabled her to acquire valuable knowledge in blogging which she is eager to share with her friends. She has already created her own blog called Empowering Maasai Girls.

 “I have managed to create my own blog called Empowering Maasai Girls. I will be using the blog to fight against cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation. The training has given me a perspective on how I can enlighten my fellow girls on such practices,” said Raisan.

She has been passionate about the fight against FGM and she has been attending various seminars organized by YLT on FGM. She has already started training other girls about blogging so that they can share information about some of the challenges faced by girls from pastoral communities.

On his part, Rodgers Muchina, an avid motorsport enthusiast has already created a blog called Rmuchina Motorsport for his soon to be established business. He intends to use the online community to promote his business as well as blog about motorsport.

YLT is an organization that is primarily geared towards uplifting the welfare of Yiaku people, a forest dwelling ethnic minority of Mukogondo Forest, Laikipia North.  The CBO has been supported by UNDP GEF SGP in helping communities adapt Sustainable Land Management (SLM) as a means of securing improved livelihoods which will in turn ease pressure on Mukogondo Forest.