MASHARIKI INNOVATIONS IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE AWARDS PROGRAMME UN-Habitat - Nairobi August 30th 2006 UN-Habitat held a gala awards dinner at the Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi at which prizes were given for innovating, economic and socially oriented, impact producing programs in Kenya. The dinner closed a two-day exhibition of booths by some of the 61 contenders. The Nyumbani booth had a display of 16 examples of nicely packaged fruits, vegetables and cereals that had grown in the Village over the past 6 months. A PowerPoint presentation was made by Simon Gachoki, Fr. D’Agostino’s assistant who did a very credible service. Mr. Gachoki has also worked as a radio announcer and is working on a Master’s degree in Communications. Nyumbani Village was awarded top prizes for innovation, NGO, local governance and second place finalist with a trophy and a $2,000 cheque. The three finalists were all Catholic Church/missionary projects. Nyumbani was also selected to enter the all East Africa competition by UN-Habitat, which takes place on 20th September.