Meet Our PaperSeed Champions: Erick Omondi

Part of what makes PaperSeed so unique is our ability to connect with inspiring people, be they volunteers, business partners, or local leaders. As part of our new monthly newsletter format, we will be profiling one PaperSeed Champion each month to learn what inspires these extraordinary people to do the work they do.

Our first PaperSeed Champion interview is with Erick Omondi, founder of Generation Guiders in Nairobi. Erick is a valued partner in creating effective girls' health education in Kenya.

1. How did you first get involved with the Non-Profit/ NGO sector?

I owe it all to the dark days as a street urchin and partly to the rescue program that transformed me into what I am today. As a street boy, I could in broad daylight witness what our female counterparts would go through. At very tender ages, these girls were sexually assaulted, or equally driven into prostitution to derive a livelihood. They were exposed to human cruelty of all kinds, basic hygienic care and concerns was unheard of; needless to say that access to basic education was like a forbidden taboo.

Upon the maturity of my terms of rescue, rehabilitation and re-institulization program at the orphanage that took me from the streets, I was reintegrated back to the society. That's when I opted to work for an organization located at Kibera slums as a volunteer, as a give-back gesture. This was equally a big boost to my now effective community development practice because while serving under the Carolina for Kibera an NGO, I was in turn given due training as a Peer Youth Educator and Contraceptive Community Based Distribution in preparation to establish an organization that would major on girl and youth empowerment within the local communities.

It was back in the year 2012 that the present Generation Guiders was registered as a Community Based Organization to address the stipulated objectives. Basically the organization majors on youth empowerment programs and providing a safe space environment for girls in the community.

2. What do you like to do when you aren't working or volunteering?

In most cases when out of work or any involving tasks, I like spending quality time with my family. I really enjoy such moments and at some instances, I opt for travelling to new places to meet new people. This helps me appreciate diverse cultures and explore new environment. This is both at local levels and distant travels periodically. 

3. Who is your role model and why?

I am deeply inspired by a certain one man by the name Kennedy Odede. He is the founder of an organization by the name Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) whose principle mission is to advocate for the education of the girl child. He is a true source of inspiration to me and a man who has made a big impact to the local communities through his unmatched input and determination towards the furtherance of his target objectives. 

Erick speaking at the International day of the Girl Child Football Tournament in October 2015.

4. What's something you're really good at?

Primarily, I am a motivational speaker with vast capabilities in public speaking. I am such a one with a vocal advantage, publicly outspoken and can feature in select forums and on debate platforms.

5. Is there anything you hope to learn in the future? (like a new language, instrument, or skill?)

I recently undertook a course in Personal Development and my future aspiration is to pursue a course on Project Development and Management. I also desire to study at least two foreign languages for social networking purposes preferably French and German.