Hi guys,

So I've spent the past few days wondering  how best to share what I feel best portrays my country Kenya to the outside world . As a country that has so much to show for itself from the lovely escarpments to the mountains , beautiful oceans, well structured buildings and vast amounts of green leafy vegetation that feeds the nation and exports some of the finest coffee, I decided that most importantly it was the people.

While i intend to mix both the landscapes and the people who make Kenya proud, I would love nothing but for you to be part of this journey with me. As we aim to support /donate towards my chosen charity ,Imara international, a haven for teenage mothers, I look forward to featuring various personalities who make Kenya great and that would serve as amazing role models for the youth in our society most of them being youth themselves . I believe in the 'youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow' cliché as it may be and so maybe by helping that one person, that might be more than just a philosophers quote.

I'll admit I'm a tad bit excited about this! If only one more person knows a bit more about Kenya than they did through this, my mission on that will be accomplished but most importantly , if we manage to contribute even in the smallest capacity towards the great cause that is Imara International , then we are five steps ahead of ourselves. It all begins with you.

I am Kenyan .I am proud.

Hi  everyone , my name is Emma, currently living in Leeds, England , born and bred in Kenya. I have a masters in Business degree from Leeds Beckett University where I currently work in the Leadership Centre - Business School. I came across this site while looking for a forum that brings Kenyans or East Africans together as its been hard to find something similar in Leeds. I have several causes close to my heart and children/young people in need of guidance/help/support is one of them . I hope to contribute to this cause while using this opportunity to proudly showcase the beauty that is our country Kenya.

While I find the plight of women who are in abusive relationships whether physical or emotional an urgent concern and would love an opportunity to address and prepare the young people to deal with this if it ever arises, my chosen focus will be on teenage mothers and will look into empowering rather than enabling them through encouragement, emphasis on continued education and project support where applicable to enable them find a means of subsistence that will be sustainable and  will promote independence thus reducing the increasing number of homeless children on our streets and elevate the overall socio economic status of our country. I believe that it is key to also promote ways in which we can reduce the issue of teenage pregnancies mainly through talking, talking and talking!

The fact that this platform provides the opportunity to address the above while being able to represent Kenya in the UK and elsewhere and promoting the fact that we are a lot more than what some media may perceive us to be, that we are a strong nation that supports each other and a beautiful tourist destination made me want to be part of Face of Kenya UK. I have never participated in any form of beauty contest before either and thought I might as well try!

While this is definitely a tall order, I cannot go it alone and therefore do need your help in making this possible. Whether in an advisory capacity, monetary form or to help promote this cause through social media or any other form, it will all be highly be appreciated. Finally please do not forget to vote for me as this years Face of Kenya UK. :-)

My charity of choice is Imara international which focuses on Teenage mothers by providing a haven for them and their children while empowering them through education and general skills. 

 Please follow the link to contribute. Thanks .:-) https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/emma-mugi-turkington