by Joan Letting, Linking & Learning Facilitator, Voice in Kenya

Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative (DLCI) hosted a successful annual Linking and Learning event dubbed #SautizaUtu in Watamu, Kilifi County. The event took place between the 19th to 23rd of March 2023.

The event organized by DLCI in collaboration with the Voice in Kenya team brought together 92 participants from 30 Voice grantee partners, including their rightsholders, WE LEAD, Voice in Kenya and DLCI.

The event had two conferencing days with several facilitators both from the grantee partner organisations and external resource persons. It also included an unconference session where grantee partners from Usawa Inc, Mfalme Productions and UPDK shared their best practices, challenges and lessons learnt.

On the 22nd of March 2023, the team visited two grantee partners MADCA and IPD-K where they learnt and shared their experiences. MADCA has a project of protecting the elderly who were to be killed under the guise that they are witches in Kilifi while IPD-K focuses on sensitising the indigenous communities in Kilifi County to legally own land and utilise it for sustainable community growth and development. The team later had a tour of Malindi town and even visited the infamous Vasco da Gama pillar.

“Let’s give a huge round of applause to Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative for their remarkable efforts in organising the #LinkingAndLearning event in Watamu! It was an incredible opportunity to bring together Voice grantees, with unique experiences and knowledge, to collaborate and share their insights. This interactive environment truly fostered a space where we could unlearn, learn, and relearn, ultimately unlocking our full potential,” Stretchers Youth Organization wrote on their Facebook page.

“Memories are made of great experiences. We take this opportunity to thank Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative and Voice for the great learning, unlearning and linking opportunity with the other Voice Grantees 2023  during the #LinkingandLearning workshop in Kilifi County Watamu. As an organization we learnt a lot to help us in the implementation of our project,” Health and Economic Development Strategy Organization wrote.

Jeremiah Nganda, a lecturer at Daystar University and a facilitator at the event said, “Interacting with the participants and listening to conversations made me realise that we have many youth-led organisations doing amazing projects with a goal of transformation in our nation.”

“From pens to adventure, Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative truly captured the essence of #LinkingAndLearning by taking us on a wild ride through the stunning town of Malindi. Our last day at the #LinkingAndLearning event was filled with exciting exploration, valuable networking, and unforgettable experiences shared among like-minded enthusiasts. We immersed ourselves in the local culture, discovered breath-taking sights, and connected with amazing people while forging lifelong relationships. This incredible experience reminded us why we are passionate about learning,” wrote Stretchers Youth Organization.

Beryl Arogo from Ideal Research Centre said, “I enjoyed Watamu. It was a therapeutic time not only just the Linking and Learning that played a huge role in fostering commitment to cause but also because the environment was so rejuvenating. The breeze and the music was therapeutic. I am glad and humbled to have been a part of the team.”

“The Linking and Learning event organized by the the dedicated team from Drylands Learning & Capacity Building Initiative was a mind-blowing experience,” wrote Caroline Makena from Riziki Source.

Emma Mengo, the Linking and Learning Amplifier said, “the linking and learning event has been amazing. We had grantee partners exploring partnerships and we cannot wait to see what comes out of this.”

Diana Moreka, Voice in Kenya Project lead, said, “I really like to congratulate and thank DLCI for putting together a very good event. A successful event that brought together 30 grantee partners. This linking and learning event was different as there was a lot of engagement and a lot of conversation coming from the grantee partners.”

Organising the annual event was full of learnings. In this other article, you may ready about the key learnings harvested from the whole process. Big thanks to our incredible partners for their amazing contributions at the #SautizaUtu Annual #LinkingandLearning event. A special shout-out to our facilitators for such great sessions. Special thanks to Voice for the continued support both financially and during the planning and execution process. Three days of learning, collaborating and fun!

“I express my heartfelt gratitude for your support during the #SautizaUtu Annual Linking & Learning event. Your support had a significant impact on making the event a success, and we are truly grateful. Please know that your efforts and support have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated,” said Mr Jarso Mokku, DLCI’s Chief Executive Officer said.

To wrap this piece to a close, please watch below the summary video of our one-of-a-kind learning event!