Daystar students claim top prize in Google competition
A team of Daystar University students from the School of Business and Economics won the international 2016 Google Online Marketing Challenge in the Middle East & Africa region.
Students Jeff, Moses, Evelyn, Roselinda, and Sharone were led by Mr. Moriasi Maranga, a lectuerer from Daystar. Maranga said, "We are incredibly proud of our outstanding accomplishment. The team was able to build skills that cannot be taught in a classroom. We were dedicated on delivering on the outcome and we emerged successful."
Students Jeff, Moses, Evelyn, Lecturer Moriasi Maranga, Roselinda, and Sharone traveled to Dublin, Ireland to accept their awards for winning the international Google Online Marketing Challenge.
The Google Online Marketing Challenge is an annual competition that allows students to create online advertising campaigns for businesses or nonprofit organizations using Google AdWords. Daystar's team worked with Youth on the Move, a nonprofit organization in Kenya whose mission is to empower young people with epilepsy and ensure their equal participation in the society by creating awareness.
Sharone, who is studying economics, said, "Working closely alongside Youth on the Move allowed us to understand the tremendous impact clients have in saving lives on a global scale. Members of the team are now capable of offering tailor-made Google AdWords solutions to businesses and nonprofit organizations."
The group was awarded a trip to the Google Regional Headquarters in Dublin, Ireland where they received their awards.
Meet the new Afrizo!
Afrizo is a talented and dynamic singing group made up of Daystar students in Nairobi, Kenya. In January 2017, they will be traveling across the United States, spreading the mission and impact of Daystar University. This is Afrizo's 5th U.S. tour, each year made up of different students. This is your chance to meet the 2017 tour group!
Manasseh is from Machakos, a town in eastern Kenya. He is in his last semester at Daystar and is very sad that he will be leaving. He is studying communication and public relations.
He loves being a part of Afrizo and says the joy they share is unbelievable. This will be Manasseh's second U.S. tour. He can't wait to see old friends, meet new people, and see snow for the first time!
Carolyne is from Nairobi, Kenya. She has been at Daystar University since 2014 and is studying community development. She would like to work with children someday.
She is excited to be a part of Afrizo's U.S. tour because she will get to experience a new culture and represent Daystar University.
Maureen is from the coastal city of Mombasa in Kenya. She is in her third year at Daystar University and is majoring in marketing with a minor in music.
Maureen says Afrizo is like her family and she wouldn't trade it for anything. She is looking forward to the U.S. tour in January and is most excited about meeting new people, learning new things, and tasting American food.
Bonnke is from a town called Nakuru in Kenya. He has been at Daystar University for two years, studying computer science. His favorite part of Afrizo is the singing, dancing, and the love between the members.
Bonnke is excited to come to the U.S. for the January tour. This will be his first time on an airplane and he is very excited to make new friends.
Dorine is from Nairobi, Kenya. She joined Daystar University in 2014 and is pursuing a degree in electronic media.
She loves being in Afrizo because it gives her an opportunity to help students who are less fortunate than herself. She is very excited to travel with Afrizo in January.
Is Afrizo coming to a town near you?
JAN 8 SUN - Wooddale Church - 8:30 AM - Eden Prairie, MN
JAN 8 SUN - Kenyan Christian Outreach Church - 2:00 PM - Minneapolis, MN
JAN 11 WED - Faith Presbyterian Church - 6:30 PM - Minnetonka, MN
JAN 13 FRI - Bethel University Chapel - 10:15 AM - Saint Paul, MN
JAN 13 FRI - Cedar Valley Church - 7:00 PM - Bloomington, MN
JAN 17 TUE - Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church - Philadelphia, PA
JAN 19 THU - Amelia Plantation Chapel - Amelia Island, FL
JAN 22 SUN - Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church - Southern Pines, NC
JAN 29 SUN - Valley Presbyterian Church - Scottsdale, AZ
Alumni Report: Becky Chinchen
Becky Chinchen isn’t your typical Daystar Alumni. In fact, she didn’t graduate from Daystar at all. But Daystar University played an integral role in the birth of Amani ya Juu, a social enterprise that touches the lives of thousands of refugee women.
Becky, her husband, and their four daughters were missionaries in Liberia when civil war broke out. They were forced to flee, becoming refugees themselves. They relocated to Kenya in hopes to start their ministry there. Becky enrolled in three master’s level classes at Daystar University in order to learn more about their new home and country. One of the classes she took was Community Development and the Church. Becky said, “We had an assignment to create our own community development project and I found myself at a loss because I didn’t do healthcare or agriculture or water.” So she decided to focus on what came naturally to her: textiles + refugees, with a focus on peace and reconciliation. “Because really, it doesn’t matter if we’re refugees or not, we all have this brokenness. We live in a broken world and we’re all in need of healing.”
After turning in her paper and completing the course, Becky had no intention of implementing her project. But when she heard of some refugee women in need of work, she decided to put her project into action. With a personal loan of $500, the women began making place mats in Becky’s home in Nairobi and selling them at hotels, events, and local shops. Through the blend of ministry and business Amani ya Juu emerged as a holistic economic enterprise.
Amani ya Juu offers an opportunity for refugee women to learn important skills and, most importantly, experience peace and reconciliation.
“And the rest is history,” Becky said. Amani ya Juu, meaning ‘peace from above’, provides a safe community for refugee women where they can heal from the wounds of their past, learn valuable skills, and make lasting friendships. The women at Amani ya Juu experience God’s peace and the profound difference it makes in their lives.
"Learning from an African professor at Daystar University was a huge part of the success of Amani."
The women at Amani make beautiful, handmade goods including jewelry, clothing, and quilts.
"Learning from an African professor at Daystar University was a huge part of the success of Amani," Becky said. The seeds of peace that were first sown in the Nairobi center have continued to spread and multiply. As women returned to their home countries or repatriated to new homelands, they take Amani with them. A presence of peace has been established in numerous cities, countries and communities, wherever women with a vision of peace have gone –Kakuma Refugee Camp, Rwanda, Maasailand, Burundi, Somali Eastleigh, Mathare slums, Gulu Uganda, Liberia, Washington DC, Chattanooga and more.
Amani ya Juu sells a collection of fair trade, handmade jewelry, textiles and more all made out of local African materials.
Exclusive Interview with Dr. Timonthy Wachira, Daystar University Vice Chancellor
In October, Dr. Timothy Wachira, the Vice Chancellor of Daystar University, welcomed all Daystar alumni living in the United States to the new USA Alumni Network with an encouraging conference call. In this call, outlined below, he provided updates on current university projects and answered alumni questions.