Community building, hard conversations and personal development have always been at the center of Wanjiku’s work. When she launched her book – Hope Made A Way, she knew her target audience – young people who grew up in hardship and limited opportunities, needed her to reach out to them. This is why the book drives idea was birthed.

The book drives are a fun way of engaging with young people especially girls and young women to discuss some of the pressing issues that they are facing in the communities they live in. Wanjiku partners with community based organizations as well other institutions of influence where young people are likely to be.

Kayole was the first community she went to which is a neighbouring informal settlement in the Eastlands side of Nairobi. She partnered with AYARHEP and FEBA which are organisations in the community focusing on sexual reproductive health and rights as well as talent building. More than 150 young people attended the session that was held in a basketball court.

Interesting discussions around various issues that affect young people in poverty riddled areas such as Kayole came up. The girls and young women were afraid of teen pregnacies, being sexually violated and had hopes of finishing their education, using their talents to get themselves and their families out of poverty.

They boys and young women were worried to wait too long to start making money and would likely use short cuts if they presented themselves. They were worried how crime was alluring but were hopeful that their talents could get them out of such issues. They just needed to know where to start as opportunities seemed so far away and those set aside for them benefited older people while they did all the work.

It was clear as much as there were challenges, they also had solutions and needed mentorship to keep at a path that would see them succeed in the long run as well as to know there is hope. Wanjiku shared that the resources she had were time and talent and this is what she used to get out of the same situation that they were in. There was hope in working towards a long term plan and setting goals to see you get to one’s desired end.

The half day book drive event ended with snacks and each participant getting a book.