Well, this is pretty cool. Our very own Kennedy Odede ’12, “executive director of Shining Hope for Communities, a social services organization,” wrote an op-ed for the New York Times about “slum tourism” in the Kibera slums in Nairobi, Kenya. He attacks “slum tourism,” suggesting, essentially that it treats the poorest people like zoo animals–subjects […]
On Thursday, April 11, the First Year Matters (FYM) committee announced that the common reading for the Class of 2023 will be “Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, and Hope in an African Slum” by Kennedy Odede ’12 and Jessica Posner ’09. Each year, the FYM program selects a common reading for incoming students, which provides […]
The Argus was told to direct all communication with The Board through the president’s office while trustees met with students and faculty over the weekend. The University’s board of trustees convened over the weekend amongst each other and student representatives in break-out sessions available only to a select group of invited student and faculty representatives. […]
In 2004, Kennedy Odede ’12 spent twenty cents on a soccer ball and started a youth group. Inspired by a book of Martin Luther King’s speeches, he wanted to foster a sense of hope in his hometown of Kibera, Kenya, one of the largest African slums. He called his group Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO). […]
The Social Impact Summit brought together alumni for a weekend of workshops and discussion.The University continued its long history of social engagement this past weekend, as distinguished alumni, select students, and local leaders flocked to campus for the first-ever Social Impact Summit. The Summit, sponsored by the Shasha Seminar for Human Concerns, kicked off on […]
On April 28, the University’s chapter of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO-Wesleyan) held a film screening to screen a new documentary, “A Path Appears.”On Tuesday, April 28, the University’s chapter of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO-Wesleyan) screened a new documentary, “A Path Appears.” The film, part of a three-part series aired on PBS, highlighted SHOFCO’s […]
WeSlam is synonymous with Emily Weitzman ’14. A dance and English double major, Weitzman has participated in WeSlam since its founding; not only has she competed as part of the slam poetry team twice, but last year, she also acted as its coach all the way to Nationals. Weitzman talked with The Argus about writing poetry, strategy in slam competitions, and teaching kids in Kenya.
Last Thursday night, Shining Hope For Communities (SHOFCO) hosted a “2 for 1” concert with Live Footage and The Letter Yellow at 200 Church. Although SHOFCO is still finalizing its goals for the year, the money raised at the show will go toward the Kibera School for Girls, founded by SHOFCO in 2009 and the only tuition-free school for girls in the slum of Kibera, Kenya.
A recent story on NBC’s Rock Center featured two faces familiar to many in the Wesleyan community. The segment, reported by Chelsea Clinton, began with a shot of the former first daughter and Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) founders Kennedy Odede ’12 and Jessica Posner ’09 walking through the narrow streets of the Kibera slum […]
On a campus bustling with activists, it’s easy to tap into the spirit of philanthropy and enthusiasm for social change. For those looking to channel this passion into a nonprofit business venture, or those trying to join the ranks of student leaders who are already doing so, the first place to go is the Patricelli […]