Jennifer Kaberi, a mother, is also the founder and CEO of Mtoto News, a children’s digital company whose mission is to make children visible. In this article, Jennifer talks to ODHIAMBO NEEMA about how she parents in the digital age, leveraging rather than shying away from digital media.

“How can we leverage technology for good?”

This one question would change Jennifer Kaberi’s view of digital media, and consequently, alter her life’s trajectory. Contrary to most parents today, Jennifer, a mum of two, embraces digital media and teaches them how to leverage it for good. However, she didn’t always see it this way.

Back when Facebook started, Jennifer was a mom blogger. At some point, however, she felt that technology was too toxic for her and left the platform; save for LinkedIn, which she used to look for work, exposing her to articles about how to maximize the digital space, igniting her interest in understanding how technology could be leveraged for good.

At around the same time, an incident at home spurred Jennifer on the path to understanding technology more:

“I started noticing my daughter, then she was about 3, 4, 5… she was just trying to go from being a toddler to getting to know herself, and then she discovered she has kinky hair. And then, it’s not just kinky hair… She had really nice locs. My child, after watching cartoons for a few years, decided her hair is not good anymore. And she cried to cut her hair. So, I had to cut her hair. You know how much you invest in locs? Her locs were really long and beautiful,” she explains.

This incident made Jennifer realize the extent to which technology shapes our psyche and mental framework, particularly as Africans. As such, Jennifer was concerned that by the time her daughter was in her teens, she would be someone she wasn’t because she was trying to be so many people. Fortunately, over time her daughter has been able to gain self-confidence and accept herself.

In response to that, Jennifer set out to break the stereotypes technology shapes in children. She wanted to create a space where children could be themselves without being shaped by other people’s thoughts. And thus, Mtoto News was born. Mtoto News has set out to change how technology and what content look like for African children. They do this by empowering children to create their own content so that they can see children who look like them. In order to empower children to take up space in the digital world, Jennifer had to learn the ropes first. She was very intentional about becoming an expert in matters of digital media to harness its full potential. To achieve her goal, she undertook online courses and attended multiple conferences and seminars on digital media. Additionally, reading numerous articles and research papers on the same. Thanks to her dedication to learning, Jennifer’s company, Mtoto News, now creates, curates, and circulates content with, for, and by children. They also provide a platform for children to participate in the digital space, training them to express themselves and use the digital space to effect change and create solutions. Finally, they conduct research on child online participation and children in the digital age. As part of their child participation framework, Mtoto News has a training called Sauti Zetu, which is a digital literacy program where they train children on content creation, communication, collaboration, online safety, how to engage leaders, and how to come up with solutions using the digital space.

Additionally, her learning has enabled her to engage with social media from a more informed lens. Being a parent, her deeper understanding of social and digital media has proven even more insurmountable, as she now makes informed choices when it comes to parenting and social media. For example, understanding basic app features like streaks, which are a private representation of how many consecutive days one has sent a Snap back and forth with a friend on Snapchat, determines how much time she allows her kids to spend on the app. As such, Jennifer tailors her guidelines to each social media platform.

With respect to parenting children on online safety, Jennifer finds that the children she trains want their parents to join them and be more involved in the digital space.

“We asked them what they wanted to tell their parents, and they told us to tell them to come because telling us not to be on social media won’t work… you have to understand their world,” she shares.

Her advice to parents is to immerse themselves in their children’s world, to understand it:

“By restricting them, you are lying to yourself. When you understand that this is their world, and how it operates, what it means to them, you are able to protect them better, ask very informed questions… Don’t go to social media to know how to use it, understand it.”

Banking on nearly a decade of experience, Jennifer notes that there is a marked difference between children who’ve been trained and equipped for the digital space and those who haven’t. More often than not, the former grow up to be more confident and self-assured than the latter.

In the ever-evolving job market, one of the most intense dilemmas faced by professionals is choosing between a job that pays well and one that truly sparks joy. While the allure of a hefty paycheck is hard to ignore, the benefits of engaging in work you love might just outweigh the extra digits on your salary slip—especially when it comes to your financial health and savings habits.

It’s easy to assume that a higher salary directly correlates with better financial stability and more robust savings. However, the reality isn’t always so straightforward. High-paying jobs often come with their own set of challenges, including longer hours, increased stress, and a demanding corporate culture that can leave you feeling drained and disconnected. This dissatisfaction can lead many to seek solace in spending, purchasing temporary comforts to mitigate the unhappiness that comes from a misaligned career path.

Retail therapy, frequent weekend getaways, lavish meals out—these are just a few ways that you might try to compensate for the lack of fulfilment in your professional lives. These expenses add up, slowly chipping away at the financial advantage that a higher salary is supposed to provide.

On the flip side, choosing a career you are passionate about—even if it pays less—might actually help in cultivating healthier saving habits. When you are engaged and satisfied at work, you’re less likely to depend on material goods to boost your mood. This decreases unnecessary spending, allowing you to allocate funds towards savings or investing in experiences that enrich your life in meaningful ways.

Moreover, job satisfaction often leads to greater career longevity and opportunities for advancement, which can result in financial gains that might not be immediately apparent when you first accept a lower-paying position. With increased job satisfaction, you also tend to have more energy and optimism, which are crucial for long-term career development and personal growth.

The critical factor here is sustainability. The assumption in this discussion is that the lower-paying job still provides enough to meet your basic needs and maintain a reasonable lifestyle. This level of financial security is essential for turning job satisfaction into a tool for better savings. Without it, even the most fulfilling job can become a source of stress, undermining the very benefits we’ve discussed.

Choosing between a higher-paying job and one you love is deeply personal and depends on individual circumstances, including financial obligations, career goals, and personal values. It’s important to evaluate not just the immediate benefits but also the long-term implications of your choice. How will this job affect your quality of life, mental health, and financial future?

Ultimately, if sustainable, picking a job that aligns with your passion might not only lead to a happier life but also to better financial health. By reducing the need to fill your life with purchased pleasures, you can save more and invest in your future, proving that sometimes, less can indeed be more.

Breaking up is never easy, especially when it comes to dealing with the remnants of a past relationship. Those items your ex left behind can evoke a mix of emotions—nostalgia, anger, and even confusion. You either want to kick and burn the things they left behind or snuggle and hold onto them for dear life. But fear not! Vibeyetu has just what to do with those things. From donating clothes and shoes to children’s homes to turning hated items into cleaning rags, we’ve got you covered.

1. Donate with Compassion

The Cold Season and Children’s Homes

As the chilly winds and rain overrun Nairobi, consider donating gently used clothing and shoes to children’s homes. These institutions often struggle to provide warm clothing for the kids in their care. Your ex’s old sweater or those sneakers they left behind could make a world of difference to a child shivering in the cold. Your ex might have been an awful person, but at least now that kid is warm. Everything happens for a reason, no??

Why Give Back?

Remember, giving is about more than just the physical item. It’s an act of kindness, a way to spread warmth and love. So, let go of any bitterness and focus on the positive impact your donation can have. Plus, it’s a chance to declutter your space and your heart simultaneously, creating space for the better items your next will leave.

If you have no place in mind, visit Kibra Youth Boxing Initiative (Kibraboxingclub.netlify.app), or drop them off at Colloseum Gymnasium at Adams Arcade to touch a heart and spread warmth.

2. The Cleaning Rag Option

Transforming Hated Items

Now, let’s get a little cheeky. Do you remember that one t-shirt that you hated but for some reason they loved? Yes, you read that right. That old T-shirt they wore everywhere? Perfect for dusting, your shoes have never looked cleaner. The quirky mug they couldn’t stand? Great for wiping down surfaces. It’s like a therapeutic cleansing—both for your home and your soul.

In an interview with UKEwebcast, opinions varied:

• Absolutely Not: Some staunchly refused to take anything back, emphasizing that gifts should remain gifts, you know a sentiment of that time?
• Depends on Impact: Others considered the impact on the recipient. If the gift would significantly affect their life, they’d keep it.
• Sell It: Selling the item was a popular choice. After all, why not turn a painful memory into cash? Consider it heartbreak payment?

Whether you choose to donate or repurpose, remember that these items are more than just objects—they carry memories. So, embrace the warmth of giving, laugh about the cleaning rag option, and let go with grace.

Check out More from the UkeWebcast interview on Vibeyetu.com

Note: No exes were harmed in the making of this article. 😄