My origins & childhood are the basis of my passions: The story of #NerimaWako on #DDwithMaqC
Channel: Development Dynamics
Date: 2023-04-04

On this episode of #DDWithMaqC, Nerima Wako-Ojiwa, a Kenyan political analyst and the executive director of Siasa Place, shares her life story, including her childhood memories, experiences with Bullying in school, and her move to the United States at the age of 17.

She also talks about her college years and downplays experiences with racism, her career path, and the lessons she learned along the way, including losing her job and finding true friendship.

Nerima shares her experience with an internship in Washington, DC, where her proficiency in Kiswahili helped her land a job. She also discusses her return to Kenya and the birth of Siasa Place, an organization focused on educating young Kenyans about governance, the constitution, and electoral processes. Finally, Nerima opens up about her brother's diagnosis of kidney failure and its impact on her life. 

Contents of the video
0:00 — Intro
0:06 — My origins & vivid childhood memories 
20:20 — Changing school systems and the Bullying I faced
34:16 — Leaving for the US at 17 years old
39:49 — My time in college and downplayed racism 
1:00:31— Carving out my career path and stealing a bicycle
1:00:42 — Losing my job at university and learning true friendship 
1:11:37 — My internship in Washington DC, Knowing Swahili, got me the job
1:22:00 — Coming back home
1:27:10 — The birth of Siasa Place 
1:34:16 — My brother was diagnosed with kidney failure.

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