FEATURE: Kimani John – “A youngster wearing many hats”

John

In a time where most young men are generally seen on the block, idling or participating in seemingly illegal activities, it is refreshing to see a young man aspiring to make a change in his village and country.

Kimani John, born August 31 1989, is the current CARICOM Youth Ambassador (CYA) for Dominica. He is an exceptional person with an even greater personality; but what makes him unique is his ability to balance all the positions he currently occupies at this young age. Kimani is a CARICOM Youth Ambassador, a local leader in the Caribbean Child Support Initiative’s (CCSI) Youth and Community Advocacy Network (YouCAN) and Dominica’s Eastern District Youth Development Officer.

Starting from humble beginnings and with all the distractions that confront today’s youth, one may wonder how this young fellow from the village of Salybia, Dominica got this prestigious position of CYA.

Kimani explains it himself: “I was invited to apply for the CARICOM Youth Ambassadorship Programme by my employer, the Chief Youth Development Officer and Youth Director. I have been with the Youth Development Division, a department under the Ministry of Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports, as an Acting District Youth Development Officer, from December 2009. By January, the Chief and my supervisor, Mr. Colbert Pinard directed me through the application process for the CYA. I was appointed in January 2010, at the summit of CARICOM Heads of Governments in Paramaribo, Suriname.”

The CYA position is a CARICOM initiative designed to integrate and involve young people in the region’s governance. These young people are trained to become local advocates for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), HIV/AIDS awareness, CARICOM youth oriented initiatives and the environment.  CYAs also focus on youth development as well working with local organizations that advance the cause of developing young people. Charged with such a task, Kimani explains how far he is with his mandate since being appointed in January.

“I’ve been working with the National Youth Council of Dominica, sitting on national committees, and participating in various related meetings and trainings.”

However, he believes his most important task to date is the work that he and the female CYA have been doing but which has to remain confidential for a while. He explains, “We are working on three major proposals, among others, to be unveiled later. The impact of these projects will define my term as a CYA.”

Being the CYA is not this inspirational youngster’s only job. He is also Dominica’s Eastern District Youth Development Officer. He says, “My District extends from Atkinson to Petite Soufriere and which includes the Carib Territory, Castle Bruce, Good Hope and San Sauveur.”

As a Youth Officer he works with young people and youth organizations to help facilitate their training and other needs. Ever passionate, when asked about his job as a youth officer, this young leader speaks with vigour: “I currently manage the Castle Bruce Youth Skills Training Center which has provided valuable skills to youth in the district, having hosted modules on electrical wiring, plumbing, auto body repair and computer literacy, among others. I just love to see my fellow young people excel”.

So strong is his drive to help young people, he recently added advocating for ECD services  through joining a Youth and Community Advocacy Network (YouCAN) in  Castle Bruce. He is also a leader in this network. YouCAN is an attempt by the CCSI, to get youth from various Caribbean islands in which the Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP) operates, to unite and advocate for good quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) and family support services in their respective communities. It also highlights youth’s active involvement and contributions to community and national socio-economic development through the RCP, especially through the Rovers (Home-visitors).

Our CYA says that he was compelled to join YouCAN after having listened to Mr. Clive Murray CCSI’s Programme Officer for Youth and Community Advocacy and Communications on the importance of good quality ECD services to a country’s development.  “My personal conviction is that a healthy child is synonymous to having healthy youth. I see ECD as the surest way to mitigate the range of social issues that plague us as youth. The RCP takes a bottom up approach by targeting the infant, who will then grow into a youth and a parent, eventually. This programme also teaches the youth and the parent valuable life lessons. If we have to change our communities and our world for the better, this is how it will happen, an infant, a youth and a parent in dialogue, a grass-root effort.”

Interestingly our young leader is not only unique in what he is trying to achieve with our young people and his amazing ability to balance several important positions. He is also Kalinago. This he says influenced who he has become as a person. “Being Kalinago has given me an appreciation for the intricacies of culture and heritage and now my dearest dream is to interact with as many cultures as possible, particularly minorities.

“I’ve learnt to appreciate what makes me truly Caribbean. As a CARICOM national I am a product of a rich cultural soup. That’s why I do my best to understand the issues from all perspectives when it comes to international events.” Additionally, he says, “being Kalinago allows me to appreciate the perspectives of other minorities or groups that are misunderstood and unduly victimized, like what we see happening in the Middle-Eastern regions.”

Looking at the many titles he holds, this young Dominican is on his journey to being successful. In spite of this he remains humble and grateful for the opportunities presented to him.  With so much on his plate one wonders how this 21 year old Dominican relaxes. When asked, he says he reads, surfs the internet, swims, spear- fishes and in true Dominican fashion ‘cook a pot’. It doesn’t stop there. He looks up with a coy smile and says, “I love just socializing and being around people.”

The message he would like to leave to his fellow young people, specifically young men he says, “Be your own person. That’s what I live my life by, but most importantly allow your experiences to accumulate into a profound personality that is different and distinct, then use it to make a change around you. “Dead fish go with the flow”. An individual becomes a ‘person’ when, like a persistent flame, it continues to ignite even when conditions are unaccommodating.”

“For youth, life is tough and our youth have to work hard just to get by and stay on the right track and many become victims of their conditions. But some flames just will not go out. I want my fellow Dominican youth, to persevere and let their flames glow.”

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16 Comments

  1. Nancy
    September 28, 2010

    Kimani, I am so proud of you.
    I know this is just the beginning.
    Love,
    Nancy

  2. September 27, 2010

    Hats of to Kimani. He needs all the support & encouragement in the world.

    However I am pretty sure that the author meant to say many instead of most young men in the opening statement which reads; “In a time where most young men are generally seen on the block, idling or participating in seemingly illegal activities”

    Most young men are not on the block and engaged in illegal activities. Let us avoid stigmatizing our youth.

  3. September 8, 2010

    Mistakes:

    I meant to say: young people that he should relate to or encounter with

    Also, I meant to write haughtiness, not haughty.

    And I also intended to advise us in Dominica, who know Kimani John personally, to encourage him with verbal complements as often as you can. Help him to build courage, trust, and obedience, a reminder that he is not doing this work of his own strength, human wisdom, or philosophy.

    Those of you who do not him personally, say a few words of thanks and intercession to God Almighty on his behalf, especially those of you who have young men and women of his age or even younger than him, and whom you would like to become like Kimani John. For with God, nothing is impossible.

  4. September 8, 2010

    O Dear God, Eternal Spirit, Eternal Father of Great Love, in the Person of Jesus Christ. You have reveal to us, a young man who is capable of demonstrating the attitude and conducts of Love to enchant the hearts of everyone, and especially his fellow young men and women of our communities.

    You heard him, dear Father, as he said, ” I just love to see my fellow young people excel.” By these words he sincerely declares that he want goodness, not just for himself but for all of the many young people that should relate to or encounter with.

    I ask You, dear God, on behalf of this young man for Your grace of Love in wisdom and understanding. O God, bless this young man with a measure faith, the substance by which we are all able to give You the glory. Teach him to build that measure of faith, that wisdom of faith will teach him that You are working through Him for the benefit of his counterparts–young people of the Caribbean..

    O God I pray that it is Your desire to use Kimani John, as You do Your work of building other young people of the Caribbean, and most of all the youth of his homeland and ours, the Nature Island of the Caribbean, which is Dominica. For by Your Will, O God, Kimani John can do wonders.

    Protect him dear God, from the influence of fleshly pride and haughty, if Satan should attempt to turn him against Your work through him. But bless him with humility, the nature of Your Holy Spirit, as You cause him to work to give You the Glory. I pray this, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

  5. Sami
    September 8, 2010

    Hey kimi darling…. I am so proud of you .. Continue to shine and excel in alll that you do .. you said it right An individual becomes a ‘person’ when, like a persistent flame, it continues to ignite even when conditions are unaccommodating.” Continue the hard work continue to be a motivator continue to be a voice to the Youth… continue to climb the mountain of excellence… The sky is the limit………………………..

    Sami

  6. Dee
    September 8, 2010

    I would like to encourage DNO and other media houses to continue in this same light, there are lots of young people in Dominica doing positive things, it’s time we seek them out and put the spotlight on their achievements and contributions to our island.

    Dee

  7. L
    September 8, 2010

    Keep up the fantastic work! You stand out among the rest.

  8. Fidel
    September 8, 2010

    Keep the spirit bro love the article — i know and work very close to you at time s without you even knowing so i Know what it took to get you there and trust me as u know its not ez so just keep moving to the top

  9. Watcher
    September 8, 2010

    Mr John congratulations. It is nice to see and hear that there are some youn persons who can aspire to be arole model even at such a tender age.

    Advice – Put the Heavenly Father first in all you. Let him direct your path and be a light for the other young men in your community. Be a mentor and use your talents to bring honour and glory to the only one who is worthy of all the Glory. Your talents and gifts are from him and you owe him to glorify him first and foremost and then he will direct you in the most responsible way. His ways are not our ways.

  10. September 8, 2010

    I kno kimani and i mus say i am not surprise..
    At the same time i must congratulate him on his achievments

  11. DOMINICAN IN SXM
    September 8, 2010

    it’s nice to read something positive of our young people , God bless you young man .

  12. RC
    September 8, 2010

    Congrats young man. Just remain focus.let the others see that there can be great satisfaction in serving humanity – even if you do not come out making a thousand dollars for your day.

  13. another youth
    September 8, 2010

    Good work young man, you are one in a handful but your dedication and hardworks continue to make the lives of those whom you work with much more meaningful. May God richly bless you as you continue to work for the development of your district and the country by extension, heads up to you kimi.

  14. Valda Bruno - Durand
    September 8, 2010

    I know Kimani and i am not suprised at all that he has been selected i know that he will do an outstanding job keep your head up son. Make the natives proud.

  15. Anonymous
    September 8, 2010

    wowwwww. i went to college 2gether with kimani(we were in same bio class). stay positive. but remember the bible says’ what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his own soul….serve God with all u have and He will direct your paths. Just stay positive young brother….

  16. Sky
    September 8, 2010

    Well Done Kimani, keep up the good work.

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