Meet Mapenzi, the Global Kidizen from Kenya!

When we wonder about people and places we don’t know, we learn so much more about our world and ourselves – and just how much we all have in common too.

As the parent of a seven year old, this is one of the most important things I want to teach him.

I want to inspire him and other kids to discover different cultures, embrace others and cultivate a community of belonging for all. I know, first hand, how much my heart has been opened by connecting with others from around the world, and I want to share that experience, through play, with you & your littles. 

We chose to highlight the vibrant and rich culture in Kenya, because of several relationships we have made with friends who live there. They are doing amazing things and we can't wait for you and the kids in your life to learn about this WONDER-ful place.

Let’s Meet Mapenzi from Kenya and learn more about what makes her feel alive!

Jambo! (JAHM-boh) That’s how you say “Hello” in Swahili (swah-HEE-lee), the language we speak in my home.

My name is Mapenzi (muh-PEN-zee) - which means “love” in my language- and I’m 7 years old.

I live on LamU (LAH-moo) Island in Kenya, which is located off the eastern coast of the continent of Africa.
 

My favorite thing to do is to make music- with my voice, with instruments, with just about anything!

I especially love celebrating my culture through music, using drums and other instruments. When I hear the music, it makes my body feel alive and I think that is the best feeling in the world.

I love to swim, my favorite thing to eat is fried fish with ugali (oo-GAH-lee) & mchicha (mm-CHEE-chuh), and I love spending time at our local Community Arts Center!

Sometimes, I wonder why everyone can’t get along with each other. I think that if we all played and listened to music together, that might change.

Now that we’ve told you all about Mapenzi, we invite you to share her story with the kids in your life and engage in a conversation with them about what seems similar and what seems different between their lives and Mapenzi’s life.

It is in this discussion that we begin to nurture curiosity and wonder in the minds of our children about different cultures around the world, and this lays the foundation for building empathy* at the earliest of ages. Something I think we can agree we need a lot more of in this world.

*For additional tips on building empathy, please don’t forget to grab our FREE DOWNLOAD, 5 Tips to Build Empathy in Kids, available here.

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Conversation Guide for you and your littles (best for ages 3-8):

Do you like music? What is your favorite type to listen to? To play?

How does your body feel when you hear different types of music? Does your body come alive, like Mapenzi’s?

Do you share things in common with Mapenzi? What are some differences?

Would you like to visit Lamu Island, in Kenya? Is it close to, or far away from where you live?

Would you like to be friends with Mapenzi? She can’t wait to be friends with YOU!

Oh, one more thing! As a special offer for our community, we’d like to offer a free gift to welcome Mapenzi into your home. Use code GLOBALKIDIZENS at checkout for 10% OFF of Mapenzi or any of her friends on our website today!

Our Commitment:

For Purpose Kids is committed to helping kids and families journey through a world of global cultures with diverse characters and imaginative stories that build empathy, connection, and belonging.

Our hand-knit, all natural cotton, fair trade Global Kidizen dolls and stories cultivate wonder and acceptance of others around the world by highlighting similarities and celebrating differences through play and storytelling in a unique and fun way.