My visit to Ethiopia inspired me to refocus the way we capture our local culture, history and way of life.
I recently visited Ethiopia and it was fascinating to see that their coffee ceremony that is practiced everywhere, even hotels. That means if you are a foreigner you don’t have to look far to try something local. I have always enjoyed highlighting local cultures, their way of life and the history of different communities. It started off as a good hobby to try and entice the world to interact more with the communities as they visit, however but from the beginning of this year my focus changed.
I’d say joining Local Guide Connect and kicking off my certification journey on Google ad’s has also helped me re-evaluate the impact I want my reviews to have as I interact with different communities. This video from Nicholas Omondi and seeing the impact the local guide community from Nigeria has had in the local businesses has inspired me to want to take up more of a mentor ship role as I strive to be an expert local guide with a keen focus on posting photos, videos and reviews that highlight culture, way of life and history from different communities.
Lets Disrupt Africa…
Organisations like Copia are leading the way in trying to digitize the undeserved communities here in Kenya. They acknowledge that their is a huge market and untapped potential in the rural parts of Africa and more can be done considering many people now have access to phones, and internet. Some of the communities I have visited have strong socioeconomic activities and their products and services are very authentic and unique as they are a part of their day to day lives. It’s sad to see that they can only reach few local customers and it becomes difficult for them to have a sustainable source of income. Helping them open the market and expand their reach could certainly be a game changer.
Many communities are concerned that they might loose their culture and way of life in the process of embracing technology but I believe helping them understand how to sell their stories to the world through their culture, and history, many will appreciate the diversity and beauty they have to offer, and build strong online businesses.
Just like the local guide community in Nigeria, it would be great to mentor and build that kind of network and community here in Nairobi and have different groups work with different local communities to make this change happen. I am hoping my experience in selling software, networking and marketing will finally pay off when it comes to building strong partnerships that will support this initiative so that we build a strong team of local guides ready to make a change. I absolutely believe it’s possible to celebrate our diverse culture, historical beauty and way of life, and at the same time create business opportunities that will welcome both local and international communities to trade with us.
Here is a picture of the local market in Maasai land, purely operated by women.
Every opportunity counts and ideas are welcomed because sometimes it takes a village to archive the change you desire.