Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#KeStamps
If we turn back time by a few centuries, one of the first things that stands out is how different communication was from what it is today. Information was sent over long distances using smoke signals, drumbeats, and even town criers. It could take days or weeks for a message to reach the receiver. In contrast to present-day, emails, text messages, and multiple online platforms have made this process
Paukwa? Pakawa!
Paukwa is a place dedicated to positive stories about Kenya. Our story house is named for the Swahili word that is an invitation to a story – Paukwa. It’s an age- old term, well known across East Africa. Paukwa invites one to remember the joy of stories from their childhood days and to get lost in new, familiar or unknown ideas about the daily things that surround us.
Each day ordinary Kenyans are pushing our nation forward. As volunteers, as SME owners, as creatives, teachers, farmers, counsellors, techwizards and more. There is a bigger story as they build our nation each day through their tenacity, hard work, positive attitude, search for excellence, and sheer hustle.
Through their efforts we all grow.
At Paukwa, we shine a spotlight on the everyday builders of our nation and the history we almost forgot.
This digital storybank celebrates memory, culture, modernity, but most of all, the positive. Dive in and discover a story of Kenya you didn’t know you never knew!
#KePoems
At Paukwa, we believe that words have inimitable power. They plant seeds of hope, and affirm our deepest griefs; they help us discover places in ourselves we didn’t know were there. Our next story collection will celebrate all the wonderful ways that Kenyan poetry has evoked these and more. We’ve named it #KePoems, and we aim to pay homage to works that have been carefully crafted by masterful Kenyan
Remember the story of...
From One Coin and Currency to Another
Before the Maria Theresa Thaler’s minting in Austria, Lydians, Chinese and ancient Indians were the earliest issuers of coins in the world. India’s first coins were minted in the 6th century by the republic kingdoms of ancient India. The coins, originally irregularly shaped, took on various changes over the years – both in appearance as well as names. The defining moment in this evolution was when ruler Sher Shah Suri...
Our audio stories
A note from our team
THE POWER OF STORIES
At Team Paukwa, we never tire of celebrating the power of stories. It is the very essence of our mission and the fuel that drives our work. We firmly believe in the transformative impact of storytelling for social change. Moreover, we take great joy in spotlighting the creatives who are actively reshaping the narrative of Kenya through their storytelling prowess. These individuals are catalysts for change, weaving tales that challenge stereotypes, elevate unheard voices, and ignite conversations that matter. We're excited to delve into our treasure trove of stories—our vault—that showcases their journeys and contributions. From budding writers to seasoned filmmakers, each story reflects the profound impact of storytelling in driving positive change. Eager to learn more? Check out the stories that Kenyan creatives have produced in #KeFilms, #KePodcasts and #KeReads.
TEAM PAUKWA
A note from our team
CELEBRATING THE EARTH
We only get one home, or one planet to call home. The idea of the existential threat of climate change often feels too heavy or distant to contemplate, but if we are indeed to be the stewards who keep our shared home viable for us all, that’s exactly what we need to do – contemplate, then act! Thankfully there are many everyday champions who do act – as stewards, as changemakers, as earth warriors and we are happy to have shared their stories in our collection #OurGreenHeroes. Through their actions we all are a bit closer to keeping this shared home of ours safe for all who inhabit it. We urge you to do your “little thing” like Wangari Maathai – reduce your plastic use, plant a tree, teach a child about environmental action because as Margaret Mead once said, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has”.
TEAM PAUKWA
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