Kenyan group admins scoop Sh125m in Facebook Leadership Programme

Six Kenyans are among 100 Facebook group administrators who have been chosen for its 2018 Facebook Community Leadership Programme.

Representing 46 countries from around the world, each participant of the 2018 Facebook Community Leadership Programme is an aspiring leader building meaningful communities and connections, both online and offline.

They are set to walk away with Ksh 5 million (US$50,000) each after they were recognised by Facebook and chosen for the tech company’s Community Leadership Program, a global initiative that invests in people building communities.

Out of the 115 participants, Facebook granted the role of community leaders in residence to five people who will each receive up to Ksh 100 million ($1,000,000) in funding to build communities.

One of the five community leaders in residence selected is Kenya’s Noah Nasiali, who built a community of 100,000 farmers in Africa through his Facebook group called Africa Farmers Club.

Over 6,000 people applied for the programme and Facebook employees and external community experts selected the 100 community leaders.

Nation Media Group Health and Science Editor Felister Wangari was recognised for her effort to encourage Kenyans to save money on the 52-Week Money Challenge Facebook Group.

“Felista found that many Kenyans she interacted with claimed that it was impossible to save money. When she came across a 52-week money challenge online, she decided to gather together people who struggled to save in a Facebook Group and have them follow this weekly saving plan. The group became a place to share weekly reminders, discuss challenges and solutions, and celebrate milestones — and eventually, a place to share knowledge and ideas on being an entrepreneur, investing and money management,” a citation announcing her recognition says.

Also recognised was Truphosah Monah,  who founded Women and Realities of Disability to create awareness in Kenya about the lives of disabled women. In addition to this, she uses her platform to support and encourage women all over the country who have disabilities.

The founder of Still a Mum Trust Caroline Kihusa, who lost a child through miscarriage but could not get any supportive group on Facebook, has been recognised for creating the platform to support parents who have lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death. Still A Mum’s vision is to create an Africa where bereaved parents get outstanding support.

Asha Weru was selected for creating WomenWork Kenya together with Isis Nyong’o to bring together driven, like-minded women with various business and career ambitions.

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Let’s Cook Kenyan Meals’ Pamellah Oduor was recognised for creating the group to encourage Kenyan families to eat home-prepared meals, in an effort to avoid health complications from eating processed foods. Members are to engage in urban and container farming, consume more sustainable diets and to keep their own poultry.