"Jiggers, say what?"...."did she just mention the word jiggers" ....Most Kenyans thought the newly crowned Miss Kenya 2005 is weirdly insane. Cecilia came in and broke the "when I become Miss Kenya I would love to work with the orphans" pattern....Don't get me wrong she was involved with the children's homes projects but her main campaign was the fight against jiggers.
Projects she was involved in:
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Cecila Mwangi (in purple) during the 'Jaza Lorry' initiative to take food to famine-stricken communities.
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Shangilia Mtoto Wa Africa
This is a school for homeless and orphaned kids. They teach performing arts and have recently put up a music production studio. Cecilia spends her time there most Sundays. She had a special treat for them, August, 2006 where they had their hair done, boys had theirs cut, manicures and pedicures and generally had fun. She has made it her home and will pop in any time not necessarily to take something but to just check on them.
Mukuru Kayaba
This is a slum bordering South B. Cecilia works with the youth here and she initiated the Miss Mukuru crown. The girls were very enthusiastic and 19 of them enrolled. She donated the crown and catered for the function. The youth have taken this initiative very positively and Cecilia just offers supervisory support. The holder of the Miss Mukuru crown has the responsibility of enlightening the youth on early pregnancy, drug abuse etc.
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Cecilia (in jeans) with participants of the Miss Mukuru Kayaba project
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Cecilia presenting a certificate to a participants in the Mukuru Kayaba project
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Machakos - Community school
This is an institution that takes care of orphans in Machakos. She went with Nakumatt and they donated blankets, foodstuffs and entertainment equipment like TVs, DVDs, CDs etc.
Wema Centre
This is a home for abandoned girls in Mombasa. Here they provide education, food and accommodation. Cecilia makes regular visits and donates sanitary pads and gives them talks on being responsible in society and how to handle stigmatization.
Kibera Slums
Most schools in Kibera do not have text books for the students and they rely on the one text book the teacher has. KIE together with the British Army paid a visit together with Cecilia and donated 1000 text books for schools in Kibera.
Visit to Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation
Cecilia Mwangi with Chairperson Rukia Subow where M.Y.W.O. promised commitment to support the anti-jigger campaign and mobilize its countrywide network to fight the jigger menace. Cecilia signed up to become a member of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation.
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Cecila Mwangi (centre) with Maendeleo ya Wanawake officials
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The Jigger campaign became huge in Kenya and raised awareness all over the country. She has worked hand in hand with Ahadi as the project Ambassador in this noble initiative. Mama jiggers was nominated for the African International Achievers Awards in 2009.
Cecilia, Ahadi Kenya awarded......
http://www.egoimagekenya.com/cecilia-ahadi-kenya-awarded/
Cecilia, ahadi Kenya awarded as Kenya is recognised internationally
Miss World Kenya 2005 and the antijigger campaign ambassador Cecilia Mwangi was named the volunteer of the year as Ahadi Kenya was awarded as the Best Organisation involving volunteers in East Africa. They were awarded during a gala night hosted by VSO Jitolee, to fete the top individuals, corporate, learning institution and government agencies involved in voluntary activities across East Africa.
In his acceptance speech, Ahadi Kenya Executive Director, Dr. Stanley Kamau dedicated the award to all anti-jigger volunteers saying that the campaign has gotten to were it is today due to their free services. He added that they are able to access many parts of the country due to volunteers who are drawn from government employees, corporates, religious leaders, community and the media. Cecilia dedicated the award to all jigger victims saying that the recognition motivates her to do much more for those infected.
The former beauty queen urged the public to join volunteer services as this is the only way NGOs can improve the lives of the poor people.
Cecilia was also recognized by Women Students’ Welfare Association (WOSWA) an initiative of University of Nairobi with a Young Achiever award at an event labeled in the footsteps of our Achievers.
"I am here today not as Flaviana Matata but as a young person with a vision to stimulate a cause that I hold very dear.It's been 15 years since my mother's passing and I miss her dearly I am happy to say, I have been raised by my father and the community in general. I am lucky to have had people around me to guide and protect me. "My hope today is to start something that will collectively help the youth that are not as lucky as most of us. Issues of child abuse, child pregnancy, street children, just to mention a few need our support"
