Aug 24, 2014

Ukarimu Project touching lives of many children positively..


Award winning designer and founder and chairperson of Ukarimu project recently made a trip to kenya where she took school backpacks,toys and clothes to children in Homabay County in Kenya. The school backpacks were collected on the the 27th June 2014 in an event that was organised by Ukarimu Schweiz (Swiss) team. The children of dielsdorf primary school in Switzerland stepped in and took action to help. Many thanks to all the children for their generosity.Many thanks also goes to Monica Fäh and Jennifer Kasser for the support. Lots of thanks to Ukarimu Swiss officials Vera Maag, Daniela koidl for the for the support all through.

 www.ukarimu.org
Ukarimu Schweiz (swiss) members during the Backpack day event in dielsdorf Switzerland on 27th June 2014


Ukarimu Project is planting a positive seed in the young ones. Teaching them to serve and help in the community. Many thanks to children from dielsdorf primary school who voluntered to help us..
A backpack project starts with one single step..
Vera Maag talking to some of the Ukarimu Swiss friends..

 Backpacks from Switzerland arriving in Kenya. Day 1

Backpacks which were donated by children from primary school dielsdorf in switzerland all reached very bright/orphaned children in 10 diffrent primary schools in Homabay County Kenya.7th.08.2014
Backpacks arriving at the venue.
Ukarimu Project officials offloading the backpacks.
Behind the scenes..That is where hard work lies..
Winnie Ojanga founder of Ukarimu Project giving backpacks to very bright and deprived children from 10 diffrent primary schools in Homabay county Kenya.
The 10 schools that recieved backpacks were Asego primary, Homa bay primary, lake primary,yahoo primary,radiro primary,Homabay disabled school,Shauriyako primary school,pedo primary school..
 
Winnie Ojanga congratulating one of the children who recieved Ukarimu backpack. She was one of the top in her class..

 9.08.2014 day 2. Visited Ophanes.

Winnie Ojanga giving toys and clothes to the children in Homabay childrens home
All the children recieved clothes and toys from Ukarimu project.

 Mentoring & Inspirational day (10.08.2014).Day 3.

@ Magare girls in Homabay county.
Mentoring session @ Magare girls secondary school in Homabay county Kenya.
Very happy and ecxited girls. They all wanted to hug Winnie Ojanga after the mentoring session.
Winnie Ojanga with some of the girls after mentoring and empowerment session..
Ukarimu Project Empowering one girl at a time..

 

Apr 4, 2014

Winnie Ojanga was named Inspirational Woman- By Inspirational Magazine



Winnie Ojanga is not just fabulous fashion designer. But she is also a mother, a wife, a mentor, a motivator and happy go lucky person. The Swiss-based Kenyan Award-winning fashion designer opened up to us about her passion for fashion. She shared with us her amazing Inspiring journey into the fashion world.
Her fashion label, “Winnie Ojanga’s Creations” is a beautiful label that captures femininity, elegance, class and style. Each collection showcases complete fashion forward styles that are easy to wear, timeless, ageless, classy and undoubtedly unique.
“We use exquisite fabrics and luxe embellishments that make every creation piece a fashion statement that is always on trend, individual, sophisticated, sensual, glamorous and elegant”, she says.
IWM: Winnie we are very delighted to interview a creative woman of many hidden talents, filled with positive energy. Starting with your work as a designer where do you draw your inspiration from?
WINNIE: First and foremost. Thank you very much for those kind words. I get my inspiration from different areas depending on the collection I’m working on, my travels, my life experience. I’m also inspired by fashion from the 20s through to the 60s.
IWM: What skills are required to be a successful fashion designer?
WINNIE: A number of skills are required to be a successful fashion designer. First of all he/she should be creative and stylish. No fashion designer can get by without proper creativity and style. He/she must also have a sound knowledge of the fashion industry and must also be aware of latest fashion trends and styles. He/she must also have a capability to handle all kinds of work pressures among others.

IWM: What all qualities do you possess as a fashion designer?




Winnie wearing  Winnie Ojanga Creations..

WINNIE: I don’t rely on my artistic visions alone to bring success. Instead, I try as much as possible to understand basic principles of marketing and business that can really help me to reach my goals. Quality is very important for us and we pay attention to details. I’m always ready to learn new things and experimenting my ideas.
IWM: What make you motivates you?
WINNIE: I’m extremely self-motivated but I also look up to some amazing people around me who inspire me daily in different areas in my life.
IWM: How can you describe yourself in 4 words?
WINNIE: I love to learn new things, happy, achiever; I try to help people around me
IWM: Tell us about some of your greatest achievements?
WINNIE: Winning the fashion designer of the year 2011 in Berlin Germany which was hosted by African women in Europe. That motivated me to keep on going and also humbled me allot because it was a clear sign that my work was being appreciated not only in Switzerland but other parts too.
IWM: Tell us about being a working mother?
WINNIE: It not easy being a working mother and taking care of house hold. One needs to be well organized and disciplined. I mostly work around my kids programs. That works for me very well.
IWM: What are some of the challenges you have faced?

WINNIE: Well, there are many different challenges in the industry. For new designers the most challenging part of setting up your own fashion brand is the ability to be able to multitask — you are your own personal assistant, public relations guru, accountant and producer all at the same time. My other challenge was juggling my role as a mother and trying to break into the fashion world. I am glad I managed to strike a balance because I am happy with where I am so far.
Another challenge for any designer is marketing and putting up a collection without losing the spark of creativity as a designer.
IWM: How do you stay positive in increasingly unhealthy world?
WINNIE: By surrounding myself with positive minded people and doing things that I love doing. That fills me with allot of positive energy to keep on moving.
IWM: How does it feel to be considered an inspirational woman? Who, or what inspires you?
WINNIE: Well, I have never looked at myself that way. But I must say I’m humbled.  I admire those who are always patient, calm and positive minded. I also admire those who have the courage to get out of their comfort zone and try to achieve something. Even in a small way.
IWM: Any positive advice you would give to our readers?
Only those who keep their eye fixed on the far horizon will find their right road. Keep on walking on your path step by step with focus, hard work, patience and determination and never give up on your dreams.
ReadMore: http://www.inspirationalwomenconnecting.com/2012/07/inspirational-woman-of-the-month-july-2012/














Feb 18, 2014

Something Special About Masaai Beads.

Designer Winnie Ojanga wearing maasai beads..

Something special about Masaai beads

Did you know that there is a heavy symbolic meaning behind the bead colors the Masaai people use for their beadwork?
  • White represents purity, and health….. no wonder they jump so high with the lots of milk they drink for sustained nourishment to keep healthy.
  • Red stands for bravery, unity and blood.
  • Blue represents the blue sky that provides water to feed their cattle. It Symbolizes energy and sustenance.
  • Green symbolizes health and land that their cattle graze from and the nourishment their people receive from the green land.
  • Orange symbolizes hospitality. The Masaai share milk with guests and welcome visitors into their home using orange gourds.
  • Yellow symbolizes growth and fertility, representing the color of the sun.
  • Black Symbolizes the people of the land and the day-2-day struggles endured each day..