Dennis Ombachi, the renowned Kenyan professional rugby player turned content creator, has transitioned from sports to digital storytelling in a way that highlights his versatility and passion for positive change.
Known for his engaging food content and candid discussions on mental health, Dennis Ombachi’s storytelling has evolved beyond culinary entertainment. He is now part of the TikTok Change Makers Program, a global initiative that supports creators and non-profit organizations driving social impact.
Through this program, Ombachi collaborates with Mtoto News, a Kenyan non-profit dedicated to amplifying children’s voices across the continent. As a creator, Ombachi, also known as ‘The Roaming Chef’, blends food, advocacy, and youth empowerment, using his platform to uplift young Africans and champion mental health awareness.
His experience as an athlete, combined with his journey of living with bipolar disorder, shapes his approach to both content creation and advocacy, making his partnership with Mtoto News especially impactful.
From Rugby to the Kitchen: Dennis Ombachi’s Unique Journey
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Ombachi’s career as a professional rugby player laid the groundwork for his disciplined approach to content creation.
His travels as an athlete exposed him to diverse cultures and cuisines, which sparked his passion for food. However, it was his personal struggles with mental health that led him to use cooking as a form of self-expression.
“Cooking became my coping mechanism while living with bipolar disorder,” Ombachi reveals, highlighting how creativity helped him manage his mental health.
Ombachi’s food content is not just about culinary arts—it serves a deeper purpose. Through his videos, he advocates for mental wellness, showing that even those facing mental health challenges can find joy and fulfilment in everyday activities.
“You can still live a very normal life,” he emphasizes.
This message of resilience and hope is at the core of Ombachi’s work, allowing his content to resonate with a wide audience, especially young people.
The TikTok Change Makers Program: Fostering Social Impact
The TikTok Change Makers Program offers a powerful platform for creators and non-profits to amplify their impact globally. This initiative not only brings visibility to important social issues but also provides resources that enable creators like Ombachi to broaden their reach and influence.
As part of the collaboration with Mtoto News, TikTok will honor Ombachi, celebrated for his storytelling on mental health and youth advocacy, with a $25,000 donation to the Kenyan organization.
This grant bolsters their shared mission, extending Mtoto News’ outreach and enabling Ombachi and his NGO partner to foster greater digital literacy and mental health awareness across Kenya and beyond.
Mtoto News: Championing Digital Literacy and Advocacy for Youth
Founded in Kenya, Mtoto News focuses on youth empowerment by equipping young people with digital literacy, storytelling, and advocacy skills. The organization ensures that children’s voices are authentically represented, offering training programs that help young people navigate the digital world safely.
Their partnership with the TikTok Change Makers Program aligns perfectly with their mission, as it allows them to reach broader audiences and create a larger social impact.
“Through our digital literacy programs, we help children develop the skills they need to express themselves while staying safe online,” shares Jennifer Kaberi, CEO of Mtoto News.
The organization’s work in mental health awareness, online safety, and advocacy ensures that young people not only have a platform to share their stories, but also the tools to do so responsibly.
Bridging the Digital Divide and Raising Awareness
The collaboration between Ombachi and Mtoto News underscores the transformative power of digital platforms in driving social change. By combining Ombachi’s compelling storytelling skills with Mtoto News’ expertise in youth advocacy, the partnership amplifies critical messages about mental health, child rights, and digital literacy across Africa.
A key initiative within their partnership is the development of programs that empower children with essential digital literacy skills, equipping them to navigate online spaces safely. Through real-life stories and hands-on workshops, they aim to raise awareness about mental health, online safety, and children’s rights.
By leveraging TikTok’s wide reach, they are making these crucial topics more accessible to a broader audience.
“We want to ensure that the young people in these underserved communities are not just seen, but also heard,” says Kaberi.
“TikTok allows them to tell these stories in a way that resonates with today’s youth, making digital rights and inclusion accessible topics.”
A Vision for Change: Looking to the Future
Both Ombachi and Mtoto News have ambitious goals for their partnership. For Ombachi, the focus will be on advocating for food security, and nutrition among children, and promoting good governance in Africa.
“These issues are critical, and if they are neglected, we risk failing the next generation,” he says, urging the need for urgent action across the continent.
For Mtoto News, the goal is to continue expanding its digital literacy and advocacy efforts. By working with creators like Ombachi, they aim to inspire young people to share their own stories, advocate for their rights, and navigate the rapidly evolving digital world.
Together, they are showing that when creators and non-profits unite, they can drive transformative change.
Whether it’s raising awareness about mental health or empowering the next generation of digital-savvy youth, their work proves that digital platforms like TikTok can be more than just sources of entertainment—they can be tools for lasting social impact.
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