The partnership with Maono Africa was a natural fit. With strong grassroots involvement in Dandora, Maono Africa already works closely with young people in the community and had been running small-scale photography trainings prior to this collaboration. Working together helped ensure the training reached the right audience, while also strengthening Maono Africa’s ongoing agenda of youth development through creative skills.

Participants received hands-on training from experienced Canon Certified Trainers, beginning with photography sessions led by Georgina Goodwin and progressing into filmmaking workshops facilitated by Ben Mwangi. The programme culminated in participants producing short films shot within Dandora, allowing them to apply what they had learned in real community settings and through practical storytelling. This helped reflect real-life environments and experiences, strengthening the relevance of the training.

An initial cohort of 24 applicants was selected through a rigorous interview process, with 17 participants completing the full training programme. For many, the experience went beyond learning technical skills and became a turning point in how they viewed their own potential.

“Being part of the film and photography training in Dandora showed me that my circumstances do not limit my potential. Even as a young mother, I gained skills, confidence, and a new way to provide for myself through creative work,” said Nancy, one of the programme participants.

Looking ahead, Canon Miraisha and Maono Africa are planning to run three cycles of the programme in 2026. The next phase of the collaboration will focus not only on training, but also on integrating participants into internship opportunities through the partner’s existing networks.

This approach is intended to support participants beyond the classroom and make the partner an active part of each learner’s long-term creative journey in collaboration with the Canon Miraisha Programme.