Technology

Vlogger builds brand on passion and consistency

VLOG

Farhana Oberson. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Farhana Oberson started vlogging as a way of keeping a personal diary. The travel vlog grew steadily and won the best YouTube Channel at the OLX Soma Awards last year.

A vlog is a blog whose content primarily consists of videos. Her channel now boasts of 28,325 subscribers with more than 100 self-filmed videos.

During the launch of the Google Digital Skills Programme at the English Point Marina in Mombasa recently, Ms Oberson narrated how consistency and passion have built her brand.

Award winning social media influencers in the county, among them Jamila El-Jabry of the Life in Mombasa blog, also attended the event.

Ms Oberson founded her blog in 2014 after quitting her job at a bank. The Bachelor of Business Administration graduate also won the Best County Blog Award by the Bloggers Association of Kenya (Bake) for two consecutive years, in 2016 and 2017.

Google’s programme equips communities with digital skills. Google Kenya Country Manager Charles Murito said that more than 600,000 youth have been trained since the inception of the programme in 2016.

Google has trained jobseekers and businesses in more than 100 communities across Africa through the Grow With Google Programme.

In Mombasa, the technology giant is partnering with the county government to train more than 5,000 youth.

The platform will provide mentorship on effective online strategies, social media marketing, and managing time effectively among other skills.

Mr Murito said this will equip individuals with skills to take advantage of opportunities available on the Internet.

“As the world becomes increasingly digital, the skills that people need to land great jobs or grow successful businesses are changing.

‘‘The youth make up 60 per cent of Africa’s unemployed, developing digital entrepreneurship and creating new job opportunities for them is critical to Africa’s transformative growth. ‘‘This year, in addition to the large number we’re also focused on driving impact in people’s everyday lives,” said Mr Murito. He said the aim of the programme is also to help communities make the most out of the web.