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Those who read Kajuju Laiboni's article, Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu (a person is a person through other persons) in last week's issue of BlueSky (20th May) will have been touched by her determination to succeed in her chosen career in aviation and inspired by her personal endeavour to engage young women and the youth of the African culture in the continent's emerging aviation industry. This week Kajuju, who is president of WAFRIC (Women Aviators in Africa), explains how the Association aims to meet the challenge of delivering its message to the young people of Kenya:
The first reason that crossed my mind that could possibly explain their bewilderment was my gender. However, when we asked them why it was hard to fathom that we were pilots, their response was they thought that only westerners were pilots! It saddened me to realise that for many children in Kenya the scope of their dreams and imagination was limited. Dreaming is the luxury of children, if Kenya’s bright future is to be fulfilled, our children have to be allowed to dream without limitations. It dawned on me then that we need to expand the realm of possibility for our children by opening their eyes to what they can achieve with a little dreaming coupled with hard work. The challenge would be reaching all these students in a country that has an area of 580,367 square kilometres. The idea to exhibit at the Nairobi International Fair came up when a friend and I brainstormed on how to reach these students. Opportunities The Nairobi International Trade Fair is an annual fair that offers opportunity for regional, continental, and global exhibitors to display and demonstrate their services and products to an extensive market of potential clients as well as students. It also offers an opportunity for those attending the fair to meet various people from different countries and backgrounds, hence offering them a chance to exchange ideas and experiences, which is useful to them in their everyday lives. Due to the large number of students from around the country attracted to the fair, WAFRIC (Women Aviators in Africa) in partnership with other aviation stakeholders are working together to exhibit at the Nairobi International Fair to provide information on the diversity in the aviation industry and mentorship to students to spur and influence their futures. Our main objective for this fair is to leave students equipped with enough information to pursue their goals and ambitions and also with the notion that their dreams can be a realised. Nairobi International Fair Activities 27th September 2010 to 3rd October 2010
WAFRIC needs help. It does not have sponsors from the industry. Whatever is done comes from the initiatives and dedication of a few people with virtually no resources. If you would like to assist in any way, please send an email to kajuju@blueskynews.aero
Read Kajuju's previous article: "Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu (a person is a person through other persons)" Women in Corporate Aviation is a networking and mentoring group that has grown out of Women in Aviation, International, (WAI) and encourages its members to use the resources of WAI to enhance their own career growth opportunities.
Further background to Women in Corporate Aviation in general and Kajuju Laiboni in particular can be found in ViewPoint by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert: "Women, a power to be reckoned with"
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