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Bernard Gitau @benagitau

An inspirational yoga coach from Kibera has won a global sports for social good award.

Dickens Omondi Odhiambo has been announced as a winner at the 2020 Beyond Sport Global Awards, supported by World Wrestling Entertainment for his work with the Africa Yoga Project. 

He has been recognised for his passion for driving social change through yoga dance in his community, after being named as one of the five winners in the Courageous Use Of Sport Award.

“This award is given to individuals who have shown dedication and courage in using sports, to improve their communities that have stood up against injustice and discrimination – often at great personal risk,” part of the statement read.

Omondi was born and raised in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa and did not have time to rest let alone play during his childhood. 

 “Along with his two brothers he was forced to join his mother in the streets to hawk groceries, denying him ample time to study. This experience exposed him to numerous risks,” part of the statement read. 

Omondi’s passion and positive attitude now sees him as a third-year employability Academy enrolee at the Africa Yoga Project and he constantly reminds yoga students, pose-by-pose to enjoy the noble practice with a smile. 

 “He has worked with numerous youth groups in initiatives around sports and arts, and has been involved in countless community initiatives as a volunteer with a number of local and international community-based and non-profit organisations as a peer educator, coach, trainer and a mentor,” it read.

Currently, Omondi uses sports to transform the lives of many youngsters in Kibera where he teaches yoga.

 “I did not have time to play as a kid, I would leave school, drop my bag and rush to town to sell groundnuts, and I would be back home at 10pm in the night.

I did not get a chance to be a child, I feel like I was exposed to adulthood so early,” said Omondi.