DUOLAWASI

Awasi, Kisumu County, Kenya

Come chat with wazees…
learn, laugh,
and reflect.

Men’s Heritage & Mentorship Centre

Discover The Story ↓

An Initiative Of The Abuto Illa Foundation

01 / A Shared Beginning

Illustrative Concept Image · Not DUOL Participants

01 / The Idea Behind DUOL

Years Of Living.
A Wealth Of
Knowing.

A lifetime of experience has a place in the life of a community.

Older men hold practical knowledge, cultural memory and lessons about family, work and belonging. Yet opportunities to share that experience can grow fewer as everyday life changes.

In Awasi, DUOL proposes a welcoming place to reconnect. Somewhere to meet over tea, enjoy a game, listen and pass knowledge between generations.

Inspired by the Luo tradition of a communal gathering space for conversation, counsel and learning.

Knowledge Moves In Both Directions

One Generation Shares
Experience.
Another Opens New Doors.

Life lessons, a practical skill, a first conversation with a smartphone. At DUOL, every generation has something to offer.

02 / Life At DUOL

It Begins With
Coming Together.

Five connected strands of a proposed programme. One shared space for friendship, purpose and learning.

01

A Place To Belong

The DUOL Social Space

Tea, conversation and familiar games. A welcoming meeting place on agreed days each week, where older men can build friendships and stay involved in community life.

Ajua / Bao · Draughts · Chess · Cards

02

Experience, Shared

Intergenerational Mentorship

Supportive conversations about education, work, enterprise, relationships, fatherhood and responsibility. Mentors will be oriented in listening, confidentiality, safeguarding and appropriate relationships, particularly with minors.

Listening comes first. Mentorship is supportive, rather than prescriptive.

03

Everyone Has Something To Teach

Skills & Experience Exchange

Farmers, teachers, tradesmen, professionals and entrepreneurs share what they know. Younger participants bring their own skills, including digital literacy and mobile technology.

04

Stories That Stay With Us

Heritage & Storytelling

Local history, livelihoods, games, family life and social change, told by those who have lived them. Selected stories may be recorded in audio, video or writing, always voluntarily and with informed consent.

05

Wellbeing, Together

Health & Wellbeing

Periodic sessions with health professionals and partner organisations will explore healthy ageing, nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing, connecting members to existing services.

DUOL will complement professional healthcare, not replace it.

Our Vision

Connected.
Respected.
Purposeful.

A community where older men remain connected, respected and purposeful, and where their experience helps prepare younger generations for life.

A Shared Future / Awasi, Kenya

03 / Starting With Awasi

A First Year.
A Lasting Possibility.

A proposed, community-led pilot to discover what participants value most, learn from their experiences and build a sustainable model.

12Months In The Proposed Pilot
40–60Older Men · Participation Target
50–100Younger Men · Participation Target

Shaped By The Community

An advisory group of older men, youth representatives and local stakeholders will help shape activities. A small programme team will coordinate the space, mentorship, partnerships and safeguarding.

Progress will be assessed through participation, feedback, social connectedness, mentorship interactions and stories voluntarily documented.

Indicative Pilot Funding

KES 2.5–4 Million

For 12 months. Subject to premises, staffing, programme scale and in-kind contributions. A detailed budget will follow community consultation.

Discuss Supporting The Pilot ↗

04 / Be Part Of The Story

Help Make Room
For The Next Conversation.

01 / Come Closer

Visit DUOL

Express interest in visiting and learning about the initiative. Opening arrangements and visit availability are still to be confirmed.

Ask About A Visit ↗
02 / Make It Possible

Donate / Sponsor

Explore seed funding, programme sponsorship or in-kind support, from furniture and games to books and recording equipment.

Express Support Interest ↗
03 / Bring What You Know

Partner With Us

Contribute professional expertise, health services, mentorship support, technology or a connection to a local institution.

Explore A Partnership ↗

Let’s Start A Conversation

Your Connection
To DUOL.

Tell us how you would like to be involved.

Contact Details Coming Soon

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