Theme: Going Forward

We are excited to announce that our TEDxYouth@AKAMombasa event is fast approaching, scheduled for April 1st, 2023. TED has created TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa
Mbuyuni Rd
Mombasa, Coast, 80100
Kenya

Aatin Thayani

Student Leader

Aatin is a former Ugandan national badminton player and is currently in his final year of high school at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa. He has a deep passion for sports and competes professionally in badminton. Aatin is currently ranked number 1 in Kenya in the under-19 categories, 15th in the men's category, and 3rd in the men’s category in Mombasa. He has played badminton from a very young age and his journey has completely changed him as a person and will inspire and change those around him. From his journey, he would like to share how quitting seems like an easy way out, but often leads to missed opportunities, undiscovered potential, and a book of regrets.

Eric Wekesa

Health and Wellness Manager

Meet Dr. Eric Wekesa, a licensed physician who is passionate about holistic medicine. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Dr. Wekesa has seen firsthand how the mind, body, and spirit are all interconnected, and he firmly believes that treating the whole person is the key to true healing. Dr. Wekesa's approach to medicine is guided by his mantra: "there is no coincidence." He believes that everything happens for a reason and that every symptom or ailment is a message from the body that something is out of balance. With a warm and compassionate demeanor, Dr. Wekesa takes the time to listen to his patients and understand their unique needs and concerns. With his passion for holistic medicine and his unwavering belief in the power of the mind-body-spirit connection, he is eager to share the ways true health and wellness, inside and out can be achieved.

Ilham Mwema

Artist and IT Specialist

Ilham Mwema is an artist and IT consultant who is passionate about art and technology and how it connects us. Her talk focuses on Artificial Intelligence speaking and its impact on the creative field going forward. As an artist she sees how her community is being affected but as an IT consultant she can’t ignore the potential. Someone who has influenced her life is her programming teacher by teaching her that art is not completely different from STEM. Her grandpa is also someone she views as a role model because he isn’t judgemental and considers both sides of the argument. She hopes her message informs the opinion of the knowledgeable and unknowledgeable to not see AI as a threat and also work to mitigate its potential as one. In her ideal future she sees creatives working side by side and a just equitable system that works for everyone.

Iman Hirani

Student Leader

Iman was born in the USA, moved to Kyrgyzstan, and then later on started attending the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya. She is passionate about dance, the visual arts, education, and public speaking. Through her interests, she authentically advocates for injustices she sees in the world and freely speaks from her heart. In the future, she intends to pursue a career in the field of teaching and education in order to provide equal access to education for everyone. In her TEDx talk, she explores how to prevent acts of atrocity by equipping schools with the ability to foster emotional intelligence and mental health, ultimately creating a safer and healthier environment.

Jenny Nuccio

Founder/CEO of Imani Collective

Dr. Jenny Nuccio is the Founder/CEO of Imani Collective—a global social enterprise and woman-empowerment program focused on defeating generational poverty through education and employment opportunities in Kenya. She holds a Doctorate of Education focused with her research consistently focused on global social enterprises and the intersection of global innovation and corporate sustainability. Dr. Nuccio has a well-rounded background in both academic research and practical application for implementing sustainable solutions to the global challenge of marginalized women in developing regions. She is committed to the collaborative advancement of equitable opportunity for marginalized populations worldwide.

Maaher Bhaloo

Student Leader

Meet Maaher Bhaloo! AKA Mombasa’s sustainable innovator the first runner-up for the Zanzibar Youth Award 2021 category of “Best Tech/Science Innovator of the Year’, is a DP2 student at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. He aspires to create a positive impact on society by acting on his vision and passion for subjects that are relevant to him. Maaher aims to join the fields of law, politics, and business, where he believes in the efficient utilisation of young people in order to create a sustainable future. His talk is centered on the importance of youth leaders in the governance of African countries. Maaher believes that we must invest in young people and provide them with the resources and tools they require to succeed, as they have the potential to change the world and create a more sustainable future for all of us.

Maria Thathiya

Student Leader

Maria Thatiya is in her final IBDP year at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. During her summer break, she read a book called “The Trouble with Islam’ by Irshad Manji, and it was, to say the least, empowering. The book enlightened her and is a big reason why she wants to speak during the event. Her research and ideas have empowered her to inform people about the desperate reformation that her faith needs. Maria’s connection to the topic, her faith, and her values make her who she is, and she can show that by presenting her ideas about a reformed faith. Maria says that praying the ‘namaz’ and reading the Quran are huge parts of her life, but from time to time, she stops to ask herself questions that make her examine her faith a bit more closely.

Onyango Otieno

Professional Orator

Onyango is someone passionate about storytelling for fun, healing, and connection. He strongly believes that the stories we carry shape how we interact with ourselves, each other, and the rest of the world. Through his experience, he currently holds storytelling workshops and curating healing circles for different focus groups, including the Kenya Police, young African men, and activists. With his learnings, growing up in a violent home, Onyango has gained a sharp understanding of what healthy communities look like for a sustainable present and future. He aims to speak more on intentional relationships and how his experiences have morphed him into the inspirational man he is today.