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     The purpose

This upcoming program, hosted by World Paddlesport Foundation (WPSF), is to spread passion for teamwork and unity while we are in Kenya from December 30, 2008 through January 20, 2009.

The WPSF goal is to communicate a passion for understanding and a passion for national unity at all levels within the nation. We will collaborate with various levels of Kenyan government to establish a combined vision, while also working with the local community through our programming partnerships and other International NGO’s.

By promoting alternative pathways to success throughout each village and city, we hope to empower people to believe in themselves and work with others to affect positive change.

   Alternative Pathways to Rebuilding Nationalism and a better Kenya

By continuing the growth and expansion of the National Unity- ‘I Am Kenyan’ campaign to all areas around Kenya that are surrounded by water where canoeing and kayaking can take place.

Through access to Olympic sport and the arts and sciences, we yearn to encourage confidence building, teamwork, stewardship, and problem solving through the primary sports of running/track events as well canoeing/kayaking, which will accelerate Kenya’s involvement in the Olympic process. Of greatest immediate importance is allowing Kenyans to bypass differences that may be rooted in religion, skin color, tribal and/or political affiliation and flows instead to the roots of raw humanity.

The program of greatest interest is to reduce the tribal division that has hindered Kenya’s development process for years. All of which will accelerate Kenya’s involvement in the Olympic process.

The “ I am Kenyan” campaigns significance lies in the understanding and belief that water is life and water passes through all. By establishing the unique link between unity and water sports, Kenya as a country, and Africa as a continent, can become stronger. This strength will then be used to accelerate the development process at all levels.

From the Athi and Mara Rivers to the Tana, which flows into the heart of Kenya, these waterways show hope to all. Some of the development issues that will be addressed through kayaking will include raising awareness about water quality and the importance of clean water; introducing water recreation by teaching swimming to help the quality of life in ‘safe’ areas; bringing awareness to natural magnetic power in a weir system mini hydro program, and focusing on environmental issues such as, river bank stabilization and soil erosion.

All of the above issues will be discussed with the local communities and we will use teamwork and problem solving to devise solutions and provide resolutions to the community in a fun and safe way.

The program will also address other development issues like health and sanitation. By raising the awareness of Malaria and other water borne diseases The communities around the water face will be taught the importance of sanitation and keeping their water ways clean, which not only help protect the environment but also contribute to the health of the population.  

  ‘I am Kenyan’ TEAM

The WPSF team, led by Chris Wiegand from United States of America and Katayoon Ashraff of Iran is unique aspect in that we are a team comprised of multiple nations (Iran, USA, Canada, Ukraine and Kenya) covering from across many cultures, political affiliations/thought, religions and skin colors. As we work together, the local communities will not only be taught the importance of creating a unified team, but the group will show first hand how unity is possible through mentoring and collaboration.

Our trip is significant as we have the ability to bring millions together and create a new and aggressive campaign of UNITY for all demographic areas that surround water.
 
A solution is long term and this collaboration is the SPARK that ignites enthusiasm, excitement and desire to complete this common vision that will become a solution for generations to come.

     The Media:

Often these days, the media is a powerful source of creating demonizing stories (between nations and people) and negative news throughout the world. ‘I am Kenyan’ would capitalize maximum excitement and display a positive view between disputing countries and cultures.

Through networks such as the BBC, Al Jazeera TV, CNN, Voice of America, The Guardian, Reuters, New York Times, Washington Post and every other media (print, radio and television) around the world, ‘I am Kenyan’ will be the HEADLINE that ignites throughout the world’s televisions and newspapers showing this multi-national collaboration through sport for global improvement. We saw so much unity come from the recent Olympics in Beijing.... Now it’s about continuing this energy. “It’s not every four years, It’s everyday! “

SPARK Event- ‘I am Kenyan’

Opening Ceremonies at the Stadium in Nairobi.
When?   December 31, 2008
Who’s Invited? Special Invite only to all schools in the Nairobi area and residents in Orphanages and people who are ‘soldiers’ of Kenya to spread that word and passion of sports and education.
What?  A celebration to recognize all Olympic Medalists of all past Olympiads and to honor those like Lukas Sang (Eldoret, Kenya native) who passed away during the unrest one year ago that day. A celebration to kick off the start of “ I am Kenyan” campaign and handing out the maximum amount of shirts and info upon arrival. A speech from head organizers of “ I AM KENYAN” campaign about the importance of community mentoring through Science, Arts and sport.

At the stroke of midnight everyone will have a small led light to shine and will sing the Kenyan National Anthem with digital logos of our campaign and names of those lost in the unrest and those ‘soldiers’ of sport through peace and education (i.e. Kenya Canoeing Team and many others) displayed on a large area in the stadium.


 

       Disclosure of full Ignition program

A celebration of unity through sport and outdoors to help improve communication between villages and their chosen leaders to help mentor the primary needs through raising awareness about the focus issues. Issues such as water quality and the importance of clean water, teach swimming to help the quality of life (recreation and flood safety) in ‘safe’ areas, bring awareness to natural magnetic power in a weir system through free mini hydro-power and will focus on environmental issues such as, bank stabilization and soil erosion.

Team Mentoring- All of the above issues will be discussed and informational fliers will be passed throughout the local communities and together we will use the skills taught through learning kayaking and canoeing and other Olympic sports the primary skills of teamwork and problem solving to devise solutions. Together we will help to solve the problems in the community in a fun and safe way.

After the initial SPARK event held in Nairobi on New Years Eve, there will be IGNITION events throughout the country. IGNITION events such as Nationwide running groups led by local Olympians and athletics supporters to bring the entire village out. Kayak/Canoeing events to show leadership and comfort in whitewater and flat-water events/recreation, Bicycling events, swimming (again in safe areas) and many more sports related issues.

     Specifics of the actual Training camp in Sagana: Jan 1 – Jan 14

Training to focus on advanced technique in Canoe/Kayak
Introduction and Extension of Olympic Solidarity Programming

Cross Training for Women to Introduce Women’s Gender Equity in Canoe

Mentoring between our Multi-National team and Team Kenya
Promoting Disabled Paddling, led by WPSF Disabled Team Mentoring Member with Muscular Dystrophy from USA (goal to include approx 5 MD patients from Kenya)


      Specific Instruction at IGNITION Events while traveling through the Country to River and Waterside Villages (January 14 – January 21)

Each is a one day stop hosting a demonstration as to canoeing and kayaking (total of one week)

Handing out brochures with every t-shirt about the importance of Malaria Precautions (hand out mosquito nets in problem areas)

• Sanitation by washing hands and around the river
• Planting trees around banks to stabilize the watershed and promote a healthy landscape
• Minimizing in-stream pathogens by recognizing sanitation of the areas around runoff areas and in the water
• Creating simple power using small streams to create hydro power to create energy for a few lights or irrigation pumps for crop development
• Kids sports mentoring programs to help build libraries around schools to promote education in science and arts
• Promotion and recruitment of Kenya Canoe and Kayak National Team
• Promotion of Increasing Adventure Eco-Tourism in Kenya

We may not all speak a common language, be of the same tribe, be of the same color or within the same socio-economic, but we all share a common passion of sharing a smile with new friends and passing that smile along, not only among each village and city, but to future generations to come.

Best,

Chris Wiegand  and Katayoon Ashraff - Co- Directors