Shows
The Spark It PodcastSouth Sudan at 14: The Road to Independence and Self-ruleIn this Spark It Podcast episode, we talk about South Sudan's journey to becoming its own country. Emmanuel Taban, a South Sudanese political analyst, shares what it was like growing up during the war and how the people fought hard to gain independence in 2011 after years of war and suffering. We talk about civil wars, lost lives, hope for peace, and the big dreams that many still hold. This is a story of strength, freedom, and starting again. South Sudan’s road to independence was not easy, but the people never gave up. If you care about peace, justice, an...2025-07-091h 18
The Spark It PodcastKenyan Women Leading Protests for Change.This episode of the Spark It Podcast honors the power and voices of Kenyan women in protests—from freedom fighter Mekatilili wa Menza and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai to today’s Gen Z leaders. It shows how women have shaped history and are still on the frontlines fighting femicide, injustice, and bad governance. Their voices matter. Their actions inspire. Their courage brings hope. Whether offline or online, Kenyan women are pushing for a better future, and the world should be listening. #KenyaProtests #WomenInActivism #KenyanWomenVoices #WangariMaathai #Mekatilili #EndFemicide #GenZProtests #WomenForChange #SparkItPodcast #ProtestPower #ActivistWomen #GreenBeltMovement 2025-07-0437 min
The Spark It PodcastKenya's Gen Z Uprising: Protest, Power, and HopeOn this episode of the Spark It Podcast, we talk about Kenya’s June 25th protests when young people filled the streets demanding justice, freedom, and better leadership. We explore what happened, why it matters, and how the youth are fighting for their future despite fear, violence, and silence from those in power. From police brutality to social activism, this is a deep, honest conversation about accountability, grief, and hope. The Gen Z are not backing down. Their voices are loud, clear, and courageous, and this episode shows why they won’t stop until real change happens.2025-06-251h 06
The Spark It PodcastKenyans Demand Justice for Albert Ojwang- Bonus EpiosdeAlbert Ojwang was a Kenyan teacher and blogger. He died in police custody after sharing his views online. In this episode of the Spark It Podcast, we tell his story in simple language. We explore why freedom of speech is important and how people in Kenya are calling for justice. We discuss what happened, how communities reacted, and why it matters for everyone. Hear voices asking for truth, compassion, and human rights. Join us to learn how one person’s story can help us understand our own rights and the power of speaking up together today.2025-06-1328 min
The Spark It PodcastFrom Church Camera to Creative BossIn this episode of the Spark It Podcast, Abraham “Monte” Kamau shares how he went from using church equipment to building Mont Republic, a creative agency offering photography, design, and digital skills training. With no formal schooling in media, Monte learned everything from YouTube and now teaches others how to earn a living from what they have. His journey shows how passion, faith, and consistency can turn small steps into big wins. This episode is perfect for anyone looking to start where they are and grow their dreams into something powerful. Tune in and get sparked!2025-06-081h 06
The Spark It PodcastBreaking Barriers: Naom's Journey to Women LeadershipIn this episode of the Spark It Podcast, Naom takes us through her inspiring leadership journey.From breaking the glass ceiling as a leader in the nonprofit sector championing women and girls empowerment; to how she has taken up leadership roles all the way from when she was a child. To her, leadership is not about having all the answers but its about influencing people and giving them the power to occupy space.She shares that to address the gender gap, more representation is needed and why its important for women to share their achievements...2025-06-0156 min
The Spark It PodcastFrom Refugee Camp to Canada: Emmanuel Taban's JourneyIn this episode of The Spark It Podcast, Emmanuel Taban takes us through his inspiring journey from growing up in a refugee camp in Uganda to earning a scholarship to study in Canada. He shares how he navigated tough choices, overcame self-doubt, and adapted to a new life abroad. From learning English and getting his first smartphone to facing culture shock and adjusting to student life in Canada, Emmanuel’s story is full of courage and lessons. This episode is a must-listen for anyone dreaming of studying abroad or looking for hope, direction, and motivation in their journey.2025-05-171h 19
The Spark It PodcastLanding First Jobs: Truths No One Told UsIn this episode of The Spark It Podcast, Hellen Kimaru and Kimzy open up about landing their first jobs, the struggles of job hunting, the pressure to stick to a career path, and learning how to speak up at work. From night shifts to nonprofit work, they share personal lessons about soft skills, setting boundaries, and why starting from the bottom isn’t failure. If you’re job searching, new to work, or building your dreams from scratch, this episode gives insights you might find helpful.2025-04-2544 min
The Spark It PodcastEchoes of War: Kenya Ban on Butere Girls' Play by Cleophas MalalaIn this episode, Hellen Kimaru sits down with Kimzy, a multi-talented Kenyan creative who is a fashion designer, YouTuber, and play writer, director, actor, and producer. Together, they dive into the controversy around the student play Echoes of War by Cleophas Malala, performed by Butere Girls in Kenya. They discuss why the play was stopped by the Kenyan government and the issues it raises about censorship, freedom of expression, and the ability of art to speak truth to power. They also explain why this play matters, how it shows the real struggles of life in Kenya, and why giving...2025-04-1151 min
The Spark It PodcastStarting Over After WarIn this episode of The Spark It Podcast, Hellen Kimaru and Patrick Chandiga Justine sit down with Emmanuel Taban, a political commentator and a final-year governance student at Yukon University, Canada. He shares how war forced him to leave his home in South Sudan. He talks about escaping to Uganda, starting life from zero in a refugee camp, and how education and hope helped him rebuild. His story is about courage, learning, and believing in yourself no matter what. A great listen for anyone interested in refugee stories, youth leadership, resilience, and rising through tough times.2025-04-041h 11
The Spark It PodcastFinding Our Voices Through ArtIn this episode, Hellen Kimaru speaks with her sisters, Lydia and Ann, about growing up with poetry, acting, and music. Lydia is a fashion designer, YouTuber, and mom who has loved theater from a young age. She now supports her son’s music and poetry. Ann discovered poetry at age nine and once performed for Kenya’s First Lady, Lucy Kibaki. Together, they share how art helped them gain confidence, heal from trauma, make new friends, and learn public speaking. They also talk about how their mother’s support helped them perform in church, weddings, and school, teaching them valuab...2025-03-3132 min
The Spark It PodcastTurn Ideas into Action: From Volunteering to Building a Social EnterpriseDiscover how volunteering can change your life and community! In this episode, Hellen Kimaru shares her journey from being a university student and passionate volunteer to founding LatitudeZero Opportunities, a social enterprise empowering hundreds of youth in Kenya. We discuss the transformative power of volunteering, building hands-on skills, breaking gender stereotypes, and turning passion into meaningful action. Tune in for powerful stories, practical advice, and heartfelt insights to help you turn your ideas into action.2025-03-211h 06
The Spark It Podcast1 Million Chapatis a Day? Kenyans React to Ruto's Chapati Machine Promise!President William Ruto promised schools in Nairobi a machine to make one million chapatis each day! Kenyans quickly reacted with jokes, questions, and serious debates. Patrick and Kimaru discuss if this promise is realistic or just another funny story. They talk about how costly chapatis are, if it's smart spending, and whether important things like roads, healthcare, and jobs should come first. Listen to funny stories, understand why chapatis mean so much to Kenyan kids, and find out why people worry mama chapati might lose her job. Join us to laugh and learn as we explore if one million...2025-03-1458 min
The Spark It PodcastPurpose: Do We Find It or Does It Find Us?In this episode of The Spark It Podcast, Hellen Kimaru and Patrick Chandiga Justine discuss finding purpose. Is it something we find, or does it find us? Patrick shares how his faith, refugee experience, and passion for service shaped his purpose. We discuss how purpose evolves, why it’s okay to feel lost, and how to recognize what truly drives you. If you’ve ever questioned your purpose, this episode is full of laughs, insights, personal stories, and motivation to help you move forward. Tune in and get inspired! Learn more about projects mentioned in this episode: C...2025-03-071h 11
The Spark It PodcastDo Relationships Need Love to Survive or Just Something Else?Is love truly the foundation of relationships, or have we overhyped its importance? In this episode, we dive into relationships that function out of duty, shared goals, or cultural expectations. From arranged marriages to transactional relationships, we explore whether love is essential or just one of many possible foundations. Can mutual respect, companionship, or mutual benefit replace romantic affection? What happens when love is one-sided? Tune in, and you might walk away with a new perspective on what truly sustains relationships.2025-02-281h 42
The Spark It PodcastQuitting Business to Build an NGO Empowering RefugeesIn this episode, we sit down with Patrick Chandiga Justine, founder and Board Chair of Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation (CECI Uganda), to explore his journey from becoming a refugee, quitting a family-owned business to founding a refugee-led regional NGO serving over 178,000 youth, women, and children. We dive into how his experience of war in South Sudan and hate-motivated violence in refugee settlements in Uganda turned him into a humanitarian, fostering social cohesion and access to education in refugee communities. Tune in to learn how becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable helped Patrick grow and how it could help you...2025-02-211h 38
The Spark It PodcastFinding Your Voice: The Power of Speaking UpIn this episode, Hellen Kimaru dives deep into the journey of finding her voice. She shares how she grew from being a quiet, unseen child to a confident leader, poet, and public speaker. She talks about how reading books, performing poetry, and taking leadership roles helped her express herself, build confidence, and heal from childhood trauma.Through engaging stories about childhood competitions, persuasive arguments, and self-discovery, this episode will inspire you to embrace your voice, step into leadership, and use storytelling as a powerful tool for change. Tune in for a conversation filled with lessons on...2025-02-101h 53
The Spark It PodcastRising from Ashes: A Story of Loss, Resilience, and RebuildingIn this episode, Hellen Kimaru, a Kenyan social entrepreneur, poet, and advocate for youth and women empowerment, dives deep into the moment that redefined her life. She shares her journey of resilience—from a childhood shaped by creativity and poetry to surviving a traumatic event that forced her family to rebuild from scratch. Through heartbreak, displacement, and the power of family and community, she discovered strength in the face of adversity. Tune in to hear how she overcame life’s toughest challenges, the importance of seeking help, and why embracing therapy can help with healing. This is a story of s...2025-02-031h 12
The Spark It PodcastReconnecting with Faith and GodIn the episode, we sit down with Hellen Kimaru, a Kenyan social entrepreneur, poet, and advocate for the empowerment of youth, women, and girls. We explore her journey to reconnecting with God and finding faith within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We also highlight and demystify some notions about the church by diving deep into its culture, singing, literature, community, and more. We discuss faith, its role in our lives, and why it's important to trust in God even when we question him. Visit www.HellenKimaru.com to learn more!2025-01-211h 07