United Kenyans of Chicago

Urgent: Home Stays Needed for Kenyan Entrepreneurs

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:23:47 +0000

The U.S Department of State has awarded Heartland International a 2-year grant for entrepreneurship development in Kenya. Ten young entrepreneurs (25-35 years old, male and female) will be spending 8 weeks in Chicago this Summer for business training and internships. Homestay hosts are asked to have breakfast food available and have some dinners with the participants, as well.

Homestay hosts are needed immediately from June 19-August 7, 2010. All Kenyan participants are proficient in English. (Potential hosts are asked to commit anywhere from 2-7 weeks.)

Please contact Molly at (312) 750-9888 or molly@heartlandinternational.org if you are interested in hosting a young Kenyan entrepreneur.

US Ambassador Engages the Diaspora

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:44:59 +0000

US Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger extended the US campaign for political reform to the Kenyan diaspora with a meeting and engaging dialogue in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting took place on Monday May 3rd at the offices of United Kenyans of Chicago. The Ambassador began by expressing the hopes of the U.S. Government that 2010 will be the year in which Kenyans could bring about fundamental changes to the political landscape of their county, in order to usher in a prosperous and democratic future. Ambassador Ranneberger expressed the support both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have shown for the reform process, saying the reform agenda was central to US policy in the country. This agenda was focused on constitutional reform, countering corruption, justice in the aftermath of the post-election violence of 2008, judicial reform and the promotion of national reconciliation. He discussed various ways in which the US government was helping mitigate the risk of politically motivated violence in Kenya by strengthening the role of women and youth, and enhancing the capacity of political parties.

The Ambassador stated that the estimated 300,000 Kenyans in the United States had much to offer in shaping the destiny of Kenya, beyond remittances. He added that there was a historic “narrow window of opportunity” to push for the transformation of the political and social order Kenya. He urged the diaspora to join hands with all Kenyans to bring an end to a political order based on a closed circle of patronage. He expressed willingness of the US government to support the engagement of the diaspora, through structured channels such as United Kenyans of Chicago, in promoting development and the political and social transformation of Kenya.

In a lively question and answer session, the Ambassador engaged Kenyans and friends of Kenya, including the Dixon Sister City Committee, in an open discussion on topics such as, the need for a relatively fast wholesale change to the constitution of Kenya vs. a series of measured amendments, the debate over United States participation in the International Criminal Court, ethnic militias, the US visa process, USAID projects, and the US vs. British “quiet” diplomatic style. Responding to a comment that a new governing document by itself will not usher in the anticipated changes, Mr. Ranneberger said that the reforms would catalyze the changes needed to address underlying issues in Kenya such as corruption and a political system based on patronage.

Program Management Internship

admin — Sat, 01 May 2010 23:16:00 +0000

United Kenyans of Chicago is pleased to announce an intern leadership training program in nonprofit program management. This position will allow the successful candidate to gain valuable experience in program design, monitoring and evaluation. This role reports to the Executive Director and will be based at the United Kenyans of Chicago office at 1111 N. Wells Street. Suite 404. Chicago, Illinois.

Preferred Start Date: June 7th 2010

Duration: 4-12 months

You may download the full description here

Careers in Africa – New York Fair

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:28:24 +0000

Upcoming USA fair from July 16th to 18th 2010 in New York.

For more information visit http://www.globalcareercompany.com/content/content_650.aspx

Bio Career Fair

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:24:29 +0000

Date: Monday,May 3rd 2010. 2pm-7pm

Location: Hyatt Regency Chicago. Riverside Center Exhibition Hall. Chicago, IL

More info: www.biocareerfair.org/?&source=1509

Business Start Up Workshop

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:54:06 +0000

UKC’s Career and Personal Development program held a Small Business Start Up workshop on October 22^nd 2005, in collaboration with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) – a non profit organization founded in 1964 and dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business throughout the United States. SCORE presenters were Mr. Larry Larkin (Counselor/Workshop Committee Chair), Mr. Roger Loeffler (Counselor/Former Chicago Chapter Chair) and Mr. Jim Stoynoff (Counselor/Partnership Committee Chair). The workshop covered:

- Self Assessment before starting a business and the Five Fundamentals of going into business.
- Overview of Business Plans and Financing Sources.
- Overview of Legal Structure and Financial Fundamentals.

This event was cosponsored by the City of Chicago Advisory Council on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and the Advisory Council on African Affairs

Chicago Office Opening

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:45:12 +0000

The United Kenyans of Chicago NFP office in downtown Chicago was opened by Kenya’s Ambassador to the United States of America H.E. Peter N.R.O. Ogego on Friday April 20th 2007. The opening of the office strengthened UKC’s operating capacity and symbolized the permanence of the Kenyan diaspora in Illinois. Accompanying Ambassador Ogego were Immigration Attaché Felicina Ndwiga, Consulate of Kenya (Los Angeles) Deputy Consul Alicent Odipo and Embassy of Kenya Administrative Attache James Kananua.

The Embassy of Kenya provided passport and visa services to over 70 people during the day.

Milking the Rhino Forum

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:37:37 +0000

On Sunday March 15th UKC was a community partner for the Public Square/Kartemquin Films “Civic Cinema: Milking the Rhino” panel discussion at the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago. The program included a screening and discussion of the critically-acclaimed and thought provoking documentary Milking the Rhino, which offers a complex and intimate portrait of rural Africans at the forefront of community-based conservation. The panel featured Elizabeth Chadri (MacArthur Foundation),Jane Kimondo (Crossroads Fund), David E. Simpson (Milking the Rhino, Director) of Milking the Rhino and James Thindwa (Jobs with Justice)

Pamoja Tusimame – Summer Youth Camp

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:36:41 +0000

United Kenyans of Chicago held its inaugural youth camp at the Reynoldswoods Camp in Dixon, IL from July 14th-17th 2009.

The campers ranged from ages 6-16 with a mix of “rookie” campers along with some veterans of the outdoors safari lifestyle. The “diggz” during this adventure were two His-&-Hers cabins – the perfect rustic setting to nurture dialogue and promote strong co-existence with nature and each other.

Campers had some rather frank discussions about values and it was fascinating to hear from the young campers about their unique perspectives on what is important to them at this stage of their lives. They also shared about the challenges they face as Kenyan-Americans growing up in the US, and a valuable lesson was also handed down on the rich meaning of the colors of the flag of Kenya.

The camp was not a “Camp David” vacation by any stretch of the imagination. The campers did participate in outdoor activities including swimming, basketball, paper mache, plus a team challenge event over a low ropes course. They also went on a midnight hike wearing glow sticks which looked astounding in the dark and made the night pop! They also embarked on a GPS scavenger hunt which took them all over the 75 acre campsite. And as if that was not enough fun, they also took some archery lessons, plus had some remarkable times around a campfire each night roasting marshmallows, making S’mores and telling stories/riddles. To add to the enjoyment one of the camp staff had a really powerful telescope and invited the campers to see the planet Jupiter with four of its moons, as well as Saturn with its rings!

It was a really F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C experience – late nights and early mornings! The campers also shot a movie which they rated “L” for LAME. Ronald Bukusi led the creation and management of the camp.

Pamoja Campaign (2010)

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:36:22 +0000

On March 20th United Kenyans of Chicago kicked off the 3rd Annual Pamoja (or unity) campaign in Chicago, with a focus on civic participation, the ongoing constitutional reform process in Kenya, and the US Census. The Pamoja program provides a series of forums for the Kenyan community to discuss topical issues of the day and to shape a collective voice in the diaspora.

The Chicago meeting took place at the Kenyan owned Kahawa House Coffee Lounge in Chicago’s north side. The Champaign-Urbana meeting took place on April 3rd 2010.

Pamoja began in 2008 in response to the Post Election Violence in Kenya following the Presidential elections in December 2007. The first edition of Pamoja provided an essential platform for peace advocacy, healing and reconciliation. The 2009 edition of Pamoja saw UKC also reach out to Kenyans in Illinois beyond Chicago, through meetings in Champaign and DeKalb.