A photo of Fredrick, YOVI peer counsellor.
Fredrick Njoroge, better known as reformist Casanoi has a story, not just any ordinary story, but one of resilience, transformation, and purpose. After completing his primary school level, his parents were unable to afford school fees to advance him to secondary level. As time went by, his parents were unable to get finances and this made Fredrick to join groups that negatively influenced him to start using drugs leading him to disrespecting his parents and finally leaving home to fend for himself at the tender age of just 15 years. Life got harder as he was unable to keep up with the bills and it is at this point that he decided to go live on the streets.
Fredrick stayed in the streets for nine years. One may ask what was the turning point for him? While still on the street, he developed a strong interest for football. Fredrick would often go to watch football tournaments and after some time the coach noticed him and started mentoring him. This followed with him getting opportunities to be trained on different areas such as entrepreneurship, networking, leadership and governance and peer counselling training conducted by YOVI. It is at this point that he came to be known in the community as reformist Casanoi.
The below photo shows Casanoi with one of the groups of young boys that he mentors and sensitizes through football.
After going through the training by YOVI and becoming a peer counsellor, Casanoi was determined to make a difference, he dedicated himself to combine his love for football with raising awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention. Using his personal experiences, he became a powerful advocate, reaching out to vulnerable groups in Viwandani, particularly adolescents and young people at risk. His message was simple: education is power, and knowledge about HIV can save lives. Through the one on one sessions, sports for health campaigns, school outreach programs, and social media advocacy, Casanoi has educated thousands on HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.
Below: A photo showing Casanoi’s initiative.
As a way of giving back to the community, he has started his own initiative called ‘Piga Look Initiative’ whose main aim is to collect clothes that people donate so that he can later take them to the street families and also the very needy and vulnerable families in Viwandani as he couples it with empowerment and awareness messages. Casanoi’ s story is a testament to the power of second chances. From a young boy struggling to survive on the streets to a beacon of hope for many, he proves that change is possible, and one person’s resilience can transform communities.
