William Tolbert Nyabungu is a Community Development Worker with over 15 years of experience in civic engagement and social inclusion. He founded the Promoters of Social Inclusion (PSI) Foundation (Kenya). The PSI Foundation is collaborating with Noreen Asekenye, the founder of the Tell a Story Foundation. William and Noreen are Accountapreneurs who emerged from Accountability Lab’s Incubator program—Noreen from the 2021 cohort and William from the 2022 cohort. Together, they are working on a project in Kenya focused on social transformation with an interest in civic education and awareness among the youth in Kenya. 

Advancing inclusive education

Established in 2018, the Tell a Story Foundation connects people through storytelling, offering an alternative to the growing disconnect caused by the digital divide. The Tell a Story Foundation narrates authentic stories from diverse social spaces, fostering empathy and connection. The foundation combines storytelling and philanthropy to enable everyday people to own their narratives and give back to their communities. Its mission is to inspire conversations, ideas, and actions through real stories, contributing to a humane world. Guided by a vision to impact generations with shared stories and love, Noreen’s work creates spaces for underrepresented voices, particularly women and youth, to be heard.

Through the mentorship of Accountability Lab’s Training and Incubation Manager, Jaco Roets, the Incubator program has played a key role in supporting Noreen’s initiative. For Noreen, joining the Incubator in 2021 was a transformative experience. “Jaco helped me to realize my idea of using authentic personal storytelling for social good; he has been an indescribable gift. I was still working out the concept when I joined the Incubator. Along the way, he helped me come up with ideas and analyze the theory of change for my project, which I had never heard of before,” she shares. Noreen credits the Incubator for providing the guidance and support that turned her idea into a reality. “As I continue to hone my ‘why’ with the support of the Accountability Lab Incubator, I feel more comfortable talking about the Tell a Story Foundation.”

Revitalizing civic participation

In 2022, William embarked on his journey as an Accountapreneur, focusing on enhancing civic participation in rural Kenya—areas often underserved in political and civic education. “During the sessions, I developed the concept of promoting social inclusion and registered the idea. However, in 2023, an opportunity through the Kettering Foundation gave it further momentum,” he shares. As an International Fellow in the Kettering Foundation’s program, William concentrated on community and democracy, specifically advancing inclusive democracy among grassroots women.

His approach integrates political and civic education into local women’s groups known as Chamas. Traditionally centered on economic activities like savings and loans, these groups are now being introduced to civic education and leadership training. William’s toolkit, comprising educational materials, interactive workshops, and digital resources, has been piloted in Kakamega County. Plans are underway to expand the initiative to 16 counties across Kenya through WWANC—Kenya.

The initiative seeks to enhance political awareness and participation among women, enabling them with the knowledge to play a greater role in democratic processes. “By embedding civic education into the Chamas, we’re addressing economic challenges while encouraging women to engage more actively in governance,” William explains. “Our goal is to see these groups become pivotal in driving local democratic reforms.”

The power of collaboration

In Kenya, William and Noreen’s project will include engaging youth in democratic processes. Through storytelling workshops, community action plans, and youth-led advocacy campaigns, they aim to address local challenges while amplifying the voices of young people. By fostering safe spaces for dialogue and connecting youth to governance systems, the project aspires to bridge the gap between young people and democratic institutions, creating a more inclusive and responsive environment for youth participation. “Our work with young people goes beyond addressing their frustrations,” William notes. “It’s about creating pathways for them to actively participate in their communities and democratic processes, ensuring their voices are heard.”

William has worked with ADRA Somalia, a relief and development organization in Somalia, on projects to improve disability rights and inclusive education in Somalia. He is an expert in disability advocacy, and his work focused on areas like Jubaland, El Shabele, and Southwest states, where access to education for children with disabilities is particularly limited.

The projects supported in Somalia included community dialogues, forums on disability inclusion, stakeholder meetings, and educational workshops designed to unite local communities and educational authorities. While still in the early stages, the initiative aims to increase school enrollment rates and provide better support for children with disabilities. Additionally, they are working on improving school infrastructure to ensure it is more accessible. “Working with Noreen has been incredibly productive,” William says. “Her experience in disability rights and inclusive education has been crucial as we look to create more accessible and supportive educational environments for all children.”

The PSI Foundation has been providing essential support, offering expertise in curriculum development and capacity building, which aligns with the project’s goals. “PSI’s Foundation commitment to capacity development and inclusive education has been an important factor in helping us lay the groundwork for our efforts,” William adds. “We are optimistic about the potential to create long-term educational access for all children, regardless of ability.”

Noreen’s partnership with William has added another meaningful layer to her journey. “Collaborating with William has served as a reminder that our stories bind us together and that our work is important,” she explains. “I am reminded by William that ‘people do need people.’ With our project, William and I are focusing on ‘What can we do for our communities?’ instead of ‘What can the community do for us?’”

A vision for inclusive development

The year-long Accountability Incubator provides changemakers with the tools and resources to strengthen social accountability. “It is exciting to work with young people with innovative ideas around an accountability issue in their communities, and the Incubator provides space to shape and organize that idea further,” Jaco says. “Being in the Accountability Lab Incubator has been a game-changer for us,” William explains. “The program’s focus on practical support and peer learning has greatly enhanced our ability to scale our projects and drive meaningful change. The insights and tools provided have been instrumental in refining our approach and expanding our impact.” While William and Noreen’s efforts are still in progress, their collaboration exemplifies the potential of integrated, participatory approaches to addressing social challenges. Their work in Kenya and Uganda offers a hopeful example of how community-driven initiatives might lead to meaningful change across East Africa.

Civic Charge Accelerator – Applications now open for 2025!

An accelerator born from the realization that those in the early stages of an idea have different needs than those already implementing programs. Civic Charge aims to support ongoing projects, helping them learn, share with a larger audience, and expand their impact. Civic Charge is a year-long program that provides changemakers with the tools and resources needed to strengthen social accountability in countries including Bangladesh, Belize, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somaliland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Applications are now open for Civic Charge 2025! This year, we’re excited to partner with the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) to introduce the CIPE Creative Industries Fellowship, designed to support creative professionals driving positive change in their communities. Civic Charge offers monthly virtual learning sessions and practical support in areas such as institutional strengthening and strategic engagement. It’s a fantastic opportunity for changemakers looking to scale their impact while connecting with a global network of like-minded problem-solvers. Learn more about Civic Charge in this blog, and apply now to join the 2025 cohort!

Naseera Noor-Mahomed