Joshua Nyantika is a photographer and founder of Piczangu, a photo-sharing platform ensuring you always get your photos fast and in a seamless way. He describes himself as a problem solver and optimist. He turned his passion for photography and photo sharing challenge into a business. Starting a business is not easy, especially during the pandemic. He shared his experience, future plans and how Piczangu works for both photographers and users. We also got to talk about his personal story and how his personality and network have contributed to the success of the company.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Conversation Square is where we have deep, honest and intelligent conversations about issues that matter to us.
ABOUT WACERA KIEHA
Wacera Kieha is a multimedia and lifestyle brand based in Nairobi, Kenya. We create content that is entertaining, informative and inspirational.
Guests - Joshua Nyantika
Created by - Wacera Kieha
Videographer - Emmanuel Mamadi
Video Editor - Wacera Kieha
Location - Ukombozi Library
I am a mountaineer, adventure seeker and recently a rock climbing enthusiast and a proud Kenyan woman. My life passion involves chasing trails, altitude and height.
Tell us about your passion for hiking and mountain climbing?
I did my first hike back in primary school and hated it. It was a compulsory trip and I wore a gym skirt and bata Ngomas. Growing up, I have always been an active lady. I tried handball, running, traditional dances and participated in any competitions that involved fitness. After my last competition, Weetbix Fit Bit challenge season 2, where I emerged 2nd and the 1st woman in the competition I felt the need to keep going. I wanted to do more than jogging and everyday gym workouts. That is when I realised I love walking and moving.
I tried getting into hiking with the little information I had. I started with the obvious Mt Longonot and Ngong hills but I always felt that I was meant to do more. In early 2019 I went to the Aberdares and haven't stopped hiking since then. I learnt about hiking gear, made a list of places I wanted to go to and made friends with a lot of outdoor lovers.
You recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. How was the experience?
Climbing Kilimanjaro is one adventure that I will never forget. I had been preparing for the climb for quite some time. I did a lot of pre hikes and exposed myself to high altitude before making my trip to the roof of Africa a success.
Kilimanjaro was both physically and mentally draining especially on the last day when more than half of the group turned back before the summit. The altitude was crazy and the weather up there was not forgiving. For me, that was a real winter, the heavy snow, blizzard and extreme cold. We were so determined to carry on regardless.
Mountain climbing involves a lot of planning and it is not a cheap adventure. Take us through your planning process and requirements.
I keep telling myself that an expensive sport chose me. Going up mountains is not cheap, especially when you put things like safety, food and accommodation on the list.
I start by identifying my next trail or mountain. I go through the requirements then create a budget around it ‘what do I have?’ ‘what do I need to buy?’ then sum up. If I am unable to reach the budget, I move to something more affordable and save the current one for later.
Every trip has its specific requirements. Once you climb several times you will have collected all the gear required and you won’t have to bulk shop every time you want to go up a mountain.
Why is hiking important to you and why do you love it?
Hiking changed my life. I struggled with mental health for a while and hiking took my problems away. I find so much peace out there. I feel good, get mountain high and it is something I look forward to every time I climb.
Hiking is not only good for building your physical strength but for your heart and brain too. It helps combat stress and anxiety among other issues that bother us in everyday life.
How do you physically and mentally prepare for a hike?
I am always ready for a hike. I try my best to maintain a healthy and sensible diet to maintain strength, walk every day, gym once in a while and daily home workouts including yoga. When I am not working from the office I do pre hikes around easily accessible areas before going for big multi-day hikes.
Do you have any nutrition regime for before, during and after a hike?
I carry nutritious snacks to the trails. I love green apples, a good trail mix that has dry fruits and seeds, dark chocolate and warm oatmeal for breakfast. After a hike, I like to bulk up on protein, repair foods. I enjoy bone broth, lean goat meat and a lot of leafy greens.
What is the most challenging part about your passion?
The most challenging part about this passion is time and finances. I have a day job, so I have to hike on my off and leave days. Sometimes money is an issue since I have to save a lot and set aside money meant for the outdoors only.
What keeps you going when your body is tired and you just want to give up?
I nourish myself with the most positive energies and like-minded people to keep me going. The thing with giving up is showing your body that there is no room for trial and failure. Learning how to embrace the two is a lifesaver.
You have had a lot of incredible adventures. Which are your most memorable and why?
I have so many memorable hikes, like the recent trek to the roof of Africa. I never knew or expected what the mountain gave me. It gave me sweet pain. I hated it at that particular moment but could not stop smiling and talking about it after. That trip gave me so much emotional strength.
My birthday trip to Mt Ololokwe in Samburu was quite amazing. I got a great solo package and I was queen B that weekend. I felt so special in Samburu.
My other memorable adventure has to be Mt Kenya which feels like home every time I go there. There is always a wow moment on that mountain no matter how many times you have been there. I love the Mau caves, Nithi falls, the lakes and not forgetting the fluffy cute rock hyrax at Mintos camp.
Which other outdoor activities do you enjoy?
I recently started outdoor rock climbing and I love it so much. I also trained in Kite surfing in Nyali. I intend to do more of those two activities.
What is on your adventure bucket list?
I dream big and I love that about myself. I have a long list, just to mention a few: Mt Meru, Rwenzori, Everest base camp, Ras Dashen, rock climbing in the Aberdares, Samburu among others.
What are your hiking must-have items?
I have a list of hiking essentials that I can never leave behind:
Snacks Small first aid kit Hydration bladder Headlamp Boots Cold and rain gear Pocket knife
Leave me in the middle of nowhere with these essentials and I will survive.
What advice would you give the newbies?
I always advise beginners to go for it. Build gear as you go depending on your needs. Go to hikes that are within your financial means but don’t be afraid to dream big.
Being a youth in Kenya has to be one of the most challenging life experiences, from police brutality, poverty, unemployment to bad political leadership. On today's episode of #ConversationSquare we are joined by Bruno, a political scientist and we get to share our struggles, ideas and dreams as young Kenyans.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Conversation Square is where we have deep, honest and intelligent conversations about things that matter to us.
ABOUT WACERA KIEHA
Wacera Kieha is a multimedia and lifestyle brand based in Nairobi, Kenya. We create content that is entertaining, informative and inspirational.
Guests - Bruno Otiato
Producer - Wacera Kieha
Videographer - Emmanuel Mamadi
Video Editor - Wacera Kieha
Location - Ukombozi Library
The pressure to get married and babies from society, family, friends and self is real. Karolina, Margie and I share our experiences and views about being pressured to get married and babies as young modern women.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Conversation Square is where we have Deep, Honest and Intelligent Conversations about things that matter to us.
ABOUT WACERA KIEHA
Wacera Kieha is a content creation and lifestyle brand based in Nairobi, Kenya. We create content that is entertaining, informative and inspirational.
Covid-19 led to closure of schools and the side effects of kids being out of school are very evident. The most affected are kids who come from poor backgrounds and depend on school for lunch, learning materials, a peaceful home away from home and sanitary products. Parents are also struggling to put food on the table and to ensure their kids are still learning at home. We have also heard/seen the traumatising cases of girls who are being sexually abused for food and sanitary products. On this episode we share activities and programs that are keeping kids engaged at home and highlight some of the challenges kids and parents are going through.
About the podcast - We all love to drink, be it alcoholic drinks, coffee or tea. We also have great conversations and a lot of fun over a drink, and that is the idea behind the podcast. The goal of Over A Drink Podcast is for us to have great conversations and a lot of fun over a drink.
About Wacera Kieha - Wacera Kieha is a content creation and lifestyle brand based in Nairobi, Kenya. We create content that is entertaining, informative and inspirational.
Guest - Murigi Apollo
Location - Miss Koch Kenya
Producer - Wacera Kieha
Editor - Wacera Kieha
Social media: Wacera Kieha
Website - http://www.wacerakieha.com/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPArnJOp5GOK29ovwU3Gvg
Twitter - https://twitter.com/WaceraKieha
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wacerakieha/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Wacera-Kieha-1591087407853041/
Urban farming has become popular as more and more people set up kitchen and balcony gardens in the cities. We are joined by Apollo, who has expertise in urban farming from the organisation he works with, Miss Koch Kenya. Apollo shares more about Miss Koch and the programs they are working on. One of their programs is urban farming in informal sectors where they are helping people to set up kitchen gardens to grow their own foods and generate income as they sell the surplus.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Conversation Square is where we have Deep, Honest and Intelligent Conversations about things that matter to us.
ABOUT WACERA KIEHA
Wacera Kieha is a content creation and lifestyle brand based in Nairobi, Kenya. We create content that is entertaining, informative and inspirational.
Guest - Murigi Apollo
Location - Miss Koch Kenya
Producer - Wacera Kieha
Videographer - Nicholas Atulo
Video Editor - Wacera Kieha
Social media: Wacera
Website - http://www.wacerakieha.com/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPArnJOp5GOK29ovwU3Gvg
Twitter - https://twitter.com/WaceraKieha
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wacerakieha/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Wacera-Kieha-1591087407853041/
