US-Based Kenyan Woman Develops App Linking Professional Cleaners to Clients

 

By John Wanjohi  Wed, 03/03/2021 @ 04:04pm  1650 views 2 comments

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A 27-year-old Kenyan woman living in the US has developed a mobile application that links professional cleaners to clients.

Diana Muturia moved to the US to study mechanical engineering but due to a lack of funds to pay for her tuition, she dropped out in her senior year and became a cleaner to sustain her needs. While cleaning people’s homes, she realized that many people relied on this kind of work to earn a living, but they experienced challenges finding it.

“As I was meeting other people cleaning houses, I started understanding I wasn’t the only person going through this. Everyone has a unique story, whether that’s an opportunity that didn’t work out or they just came to the U.S. or they’re simply doing their best every day working their butt off,” says Diana.

To address the problem, Diana applied for a loan through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) microenterprise program for refugee and immigrant-run small businesses. She used the funds to develop an app dubbed Clyn to link people up with more cleaning jobs. The app connects professional cleaners, plumbers, and other home service providers with jobs.

“I wanted to create an app that would help cleaners, as well as plumbers and other home service providers, have a consistent business because that was the hardest thing for me, finding consistent jobs through referrals,” adds Diana.

“This is work that most people don’t want to do, but it has to be done. I want to give them the dignity that they deserve. They are doing a hard job, almost breaking their back maintaining people’s homes so they can work or spend time with their families.”

Diana, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, is also a model and runs Boss Lady, a platform she uses to empower women getting into the entrepreneurial world.

Kenya Native Caroline Njau Appointed Chief Nursing Officer of Children's Minnesota, the 7th Largest Pediatric Health System in the US

 

By John Wanjohi  Thu, 03/25/2021 @ 12:05pm  1290 views 9 comments

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Kenyan-born healthcare professional Caroline Njau has been appointed as the new senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer (CNO) at Children’s Minnesota.

Her appointment to Children’s Minnesota, the seventh-largest pediatric health system in the US, takes effect immediately.

In her new role, Caroline will be in charge of patient care operations on two hospital campuses, including nursing, patient, and family services.

Caroline, who a member of the Children’s Minnesota Executive Leadership team, will also be responsible for nursing strategy, education, and professional development. 

“We’re thrilled to have Caroline join the Children’s Minnesota family and bring her wealth of expertise to our patients and families,” Dr. Marc Gorelick, President, and CEO of Children’s Minnesota said.

“I’m confident that her optimistic leadership and deep commitment to health equity, diversity, and inclusion, and continuous patient care improvement will help us shape our future to better meet the needs of our patient families today and in the future.”

Caroline boasts 15 years of experience working in various healthcare leadership positions. Before joining Children’s Minnesota, she served as the director of hospital and nursing operations at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Most recently, she co-led the Health Equity Initiative at Children’s Minnesota.

Caroline started her nursing career in the Medical-Telemetry units at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kennesaw State University in Georgia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.

“I am deeply humbled and full of joy, gratitude, and excitement as I join Children’s Minnesota. Health care has been rapidly evolving over the last few years and we have experienced growth and change in so many ways. As we pave forward our path and design the next generation of pediatric care, we will continue to ground ourselves in our shared values, mission, and vision that makes Children’s Minnesota such a treasured part of the community,” said Caroline.

Kenyans in Diaspora Launch Institute to Promote Kiswahili in the US

 

By John Wanjohi  Mon, 03/15/2021 @ 09:58am  1115 views 14 comments

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A group of Kenyans living in the diaspora has established an institution to promote the Kiswahili language and culture in the US.

Swahili Cultural Institute, which was registered as a non-profit organization, was launched during a virtual event streamed from New York on May 12th.

The function was attended by guests drawn from over 10 countries in Africa, Europe, and the US. Kenya’s Ambassador to the US Lazarus Amayo was the chief guest. 

Kevin Somoni Machine, the president of Swahili Cultural Institute said the institution seeks to capitalize on the growing interest in the Kiswahili language in the US.

The institution will offer classes for children and adults, and organize Swahili cultural events in New York and other states.

Machine said they will target Africans in the diaspora, Americans, and other immigrants living in the US, including students, diplomats, academics, researchers, religious groups, volunteers, among others.

“This is a great milestone. As Africans living in the US, we want to tell the African story in our own language which is the true signature of our voice,” said Machine, a linguist and financial consultant.

“The Institute will not only serve as a language center of excellence but will also foster a positive narrative about Africa. It will be the gateway to Africa in the diaspora.” 

Top American universities that currently offer Swahili lessons include Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, Howard, Ohio, Rutgers, and Texas. The language has also been designated as a “critical language” by the US State Department.

Prof. Leonard Muaka, a language lecturer at Howard University in Washington DC, says over 100 universities and schools in the US teach Kiswahili.

With more than 200 million speakers, Kiswahili is the most widely spoken language in Africa and top 10 in the world. It is the national language in Tanzania and Kenya and is spoken in parts of Uganda, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, South Sudan, Somalia, Comoros, Mozambique, and Malawi. 

Schools in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Ghana, and the Middle Eastern countries of Oman, and the UAE teach Kiswahili.

 

US President Joe Biden Invites Uhuru to a Special Meeting

 

By John Wanjohi  Sat, 03/27/2021 @ 11:05am  1098 views 1 comments

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President Kenyatta is among 40 world leaders who have been invited to the Leaders Summit on Climate that will be hosted by US President Joe Biden.

The summit whose aim is to galvanize efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis will be held virtually on April 22nd and 23rd, the White House said a communiqué.

The White House said the summit will underscore the urgency and the economic benefits of stronger climate action, adding that it will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow, Scotland.

“The Summit will also highlight examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good-paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts,” the White House said.

“In his invitation, the President urged leaders to use the Summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries also will contribute to stronger climate ambition.”

“The President also invited the heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy.  A small number of business and civil society leaders will also participate in the Summit.”

Other leaders who have been invited to the summit include Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria), Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), Xi Jinping (China), Emmanuel Macron (France), and Vladimir Putin (Russia).

Also invited are Prime Ministers Boris Johnson (Britain), Justin Trudeau (Canada), Narendra Modi (India),   Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel) and Yoshihide Suga (Japan).  
 

Unclutter Your Mind - Joel Osteen

 

Kenyans Abroad Sent Home Sh30.6 Billion in January

 

By John Wanjohi  Mon, 02/22/2021 @ 11:55am  413 views 6 comments

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Kenyans in the diaspora sent home $278.4 million (Sh30.6 billion) in January 2021, the latest data by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) shows.

Last month’s inflows represent a 7.3 percent growth compared to the same period in 2020 when remittances stood at $259.4 million (Sh28.5 billion).

The cumulative diaspora remittances in 12 months to January this year totaled $3,113 million (Sh342.4 billion) compared to $2,811 million (Sh309.2 billion) in 12 months to January 2020—a 10.8 percent increase.
 
CBK is currently conducting a survey on diaspora remittances with a view of collecting valuable information that will help tap the inflows for economic growth. CBK is collaborating with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the study that will end in March.

“The vital information includes: the efficiency and cost of alternative remittance channels; the difficulties encountered in remitting cash or non-cash transfers; the availability of information to Kenyans in the diaspora about investment opportunities in Kenya; and the usage of remittances received,” CBK said last month.

Remittances from Kenyans living and working abroad hit a record high of $3,094 million (Sh340.3 billion) in 2020, from $2,796 million (Sh307.6 billion) in the previous year, translating to a 10.7 percent increase.

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