We’ve all heard the saying that “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” At our Maono Space we believe that every person – every changemaker – holds authentic strengths and experiences that have the potential to enrich the entire community. And when these different strengths and experiences come together, they create a strong force that helps communities grow, innovate, and bring about positive change.

At Maono Space, we have created an environment where collaboration is not only encouraged but essential, enabling each changemaker to contribute meaningfully toward building a stronger, more inclusive future for people in their communities. However, this wasn’t always the case two years ago. Before Maono Space came to life, we noticed that changemakers, particularly those in rural community-based organizations (CBOs), often worked in isolation. This made it difficult for them to build networks and share the valuable lessons they were learning with the world. We asked ourselves: Where do they turn to for support? How do they amplify their voices to reach a broader audience?

That’s when we saw the need for a space like Maono Space. A  place where changemakers could come together, work, network, and collaborate, equipping them with the tools and platform to strengthen their impact and broaden their reach. At Maono Space, changemakers have access to accounting, training, marketing, technology and small grants that help them to catalyse greater impact at the grassroots level. 

Polly Wachira, Head of Campaigns and Communities at Thellesi Trust, one of the CBOs at Maono Space, sat down with Natasha Kimani to explain why CBOs are such valuable and effective agents of change and why supporting them is not only necessary but transformative.

Local changemakers have a deep understanding of their communities’ challenges and strengths. They are the people most capable of driving long-lasting change at the grassroots level because they live these realities every day. Whether it’s addressing environmental issues, promoting education, fighting for girls and women rights, or advocating for better healthcare, these changemakers know what their communities need.

But as Polly explains, there’s often a gap between the work they’re doing and the resources they need to amplify their impact. “Maono is in Malindi which is in the rural part of Kenya and amenities such as the Internet are not as accessible. Maono comes in to give answers to all these struggles that small organisations go through.”

The Power of Community-Based Organisations

As the Head of Campaigns and Communities at Thellesi Trust, one of the CBOs at Maono Space, Polly has seen the incredible impact that CBOs have on the ground. She explains “Local organizations understand their issues better. They live in those communities and they understand the needs of their communities better. They are part of that community”. That’s why CBO’s are such effective agents of change. But without the proper support, many of them struggle to reach their full potential.

At Open Institute, we focus on supporting local organizations and empowering changemakers to drive real change in their communities. We know that progress happens when these changemakers are equipped with the right tools and resources. That’s why we partner with various organisations, including the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), to extend our reach and provide essential support, especially in rural areas. By working with these partners, we ensure that changemakers across Kenya, and beyond, have what they need to make a lasting impact. The success of Maono Space proves that this approach works, and we aim to replicate it across the continent, to extend our reach and invest in changemakers who are driving social change across Africa. 

Amplifying Voices: #FichaUchi 3.0

In addition to supporting local changemakers, Maono Space is also at the forefront of advocating for data protection in rural Kenya. We are currently running the third phase of our #FichaUchi campaign, a social media initiative designed to demystify data protection by providing age-appropriate, factual information. The campaign ran first in 2021, reaching a total of 80 million people, and the second phase of the campaign reached 112 million digitally in 2023. This time, we’ve taken the campaign beyond social media. We aim to address the identified challenges and gaps in understanding, empowering citizens, and promoting a culture of data protection within Kilifi County while considering the success of previous digital awareness activities. Poly gives a glimpse into this campaign that she has been running in Malindi in the video below.

Through our ground discussions and radio show engagements, we’ve discovered that while people care deeply about the safety of their personal data, many feel powerless to protect it. This sense of powerlessness arises from two key challenges:

1. Inadequate Control Over Data: Many individuals feel that once they submit their data, they lose control over how it is used. They don’t know how to access, edit, or delete their information, and even when they try, they often encounter barriers. This lack of control leaves them feeling helpless, which discourages further engagement in data protection efforts.
2. Limited Alternatives: People often feel forced to provide personal data in exchange for essential services or products, with no real alternatives. This creates frustration, as they feel trapped in situations where sharing their data is unavoidable, leading to feelings of resignation and, eventually, hopelessness.

By addressing these concerns, we aim to raise awareness around data protection and empower citizens to take control of their personal information. Our community radio shows have offered a platform for open dialogue, helping individuals understand that they are not alone in their worries and that change is within reach.

Media Spotlight

We are also inspired to see other media pick on the work that we are doing in these communities. We recently featured on Mark Masai’s video interview with Natasha Kimani. This conversation was sparked the interview she had on her #TalkToMeDirect podcast with Polly Wachira of Maono Space around changemakers and the impact they have in communities as earlier mentioned.

Natasha in her words clearly brought out how most people assume that communities in rural areas don’t know what they want. However, spaces like Maono Space strengthen and amplify the agency needed for people in those communities to take action and change their own lives.

The Big Picture

The potential for transformation in rural Kenya is enormous, but we cannot achieve it alone. With more resources and support for CBOs and local changemakers, the pace of social progress can increase significantly. As Natasha Kimani puts it, “No one understands community like those who work in them,” and we fully agree. By standing behind these changemakers, we are working towards a future where progress is inclusive and reaches everyone, #LeavingNoOneBehind.

Want to partner with us? You can email us at hello@openinstitute.africa and we’ll get back to you immediately.