In an effort to sensitize a wider constituency on the need to embrace diversity, project trainees under the GIZ-CPS supported project “Cohesion Building: Promoting Respect for Diversity in Five Informal Settlements within Nairobi”, joined other organizations in the respective areas for synergy activities. A total of 10 community outreaches (2 per informal settlement) were held in Kawangware, Korogocho, Kibra, Mathare and Dandora between July and November 2021. The outreach activities included talent shows, football tournaments, tree planting, volley ball match, mental health awareness forum and a rap battle bringing together over 700 community members.
The trainees by participating in the synergy activities, got a platform to share on the importance of embracing diversities emphasizing that diversities exist not to divide people but to unite them. The message was complemented with the slogan; “Utofauti Wetu, Nguvu Yetu”, “Our Diversity, Our Strength”. The trainees underscored the message that embracing diversity is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity from ethnicity, age, gender, religion, education, political affiliation among others that defines us as Kenyans. The outreach activities amplified the message of peaceful co-existence urging the youth to resist and condemn political manipulation and use of violence in the run up to the 2022 general elections. The community members appreciated the effective use of different activities such as talent shows and football tournaments to reach them with the message of cohesion building which was timely.