By Vera Shawiza
The Family Group Foundation and the
USAID Tumikia Mtoto project implemented
by World Vision Kenya have today held a
graduation ceremony for 100 DREAMS young
women bringing the total number
impacted under this partnership to
nearly 300 women trained and certified
in plumbing, electrical and painting
skills.
This partnership has seen 80 percent of
the young women trained transition to
internships and acquire decently paid
work in various construction sites. The
KES 30 million partnership is aimed at
enhancing the employability, income, and
livelihoods of the vulnerable young
women within the DREAMS program, aged 18
to 24, from Nairobi and Kiambu
Counties, while boosting their technical
skill sets.
Speaking during the graduation of 100
young women from Cohort 3, the Family
Bank CEO highlighted the need for
finding institutional solutions to
bridge the gender gap.
“Adolescent girls and young women
continue to confront a myriad of
challenges to fulfill their potential.
We, therefore, recognize the
responsibility that lies on both private
and public sector players,” said Family
Bank CEO Rebecca Mbithi.
“As a Bank and in line with our
strategy, the acceleration and
continuity of this program demonstrate
our commitment to creating equitable
access to job opportunities for
vulnerable young women. These technical
skills and the increased resources for
and investment in young women will
provide opportunities for them to be
changemakers driving progress in their
communities and building back stronger
for all,” she said.
“I would like to congratulate USAID,
World Vision, Family Bank and The Family
Group Foundation for taking up such a
noble cause. The skillsets that these
girls have acquired will be of long-term
benefit to them when employed and even
when they do start their businesses. I
cannot overemphasize the importance of
mentorship and economic empowerment as
demonstrated here today,” said Central
Bank of Kenya Governor Dr. Patrick
Njoroge.
This partnership is under the
Foundation’s Shared Values Initiatives
in construction, entrepreneurship,
development, and business management
services dubbed the Tufuzu Youth
Entrepreneurship Development Project,
which provides young adults technical
training and access to labor markets,
financing, and linkages to other
strategic partners and the USAID Tumikia
Mtoto project’s DREAMS program which is
an HIV prevention initiative. DREAMS
continuously links beneficiaries to
existing private-public-partnerships
such as this for a broader range of
economic strengthening opportunities
thereby empowering young women and
reducing their risk of HIV infection.
To better prepare the trainees for the
job market, the USAID Tumikia Mtoto
program also equips all the graduates
with state-of-the-art construction tool
kits at no cost, which are usually an
expensive investment for new
professionals in the blue-collar
economy. The tool kits equip the young
graduates for the labor market and set
them apart as employees of choice for
construction companies.
“The U.S. government is proud to support
this DREAMS cohort. Young girls and
women in Kenya hold unlimited potential.
They constitute more than half of the
productive population and can make
significant contributions towards
Kenya’s development. To the graduates,
congratulations! All of your hard work
and perseverance have led you to this
proud moment in your lives. You are an
inspiration to us all, and I know you
will continue to make us proud,” said
John Kuehnle, USAID Health Office
Director.
The partnership also seeks to increase
the economic stability of households to
care for and protect orphans and
vulnerable children and to strengthen
the capacity of community systems and
structures through practical soft and
hard skills training. The young women
are not only trained in technical skills
but are also equipped with soft skills
in communication, financial planning, as
well as sexual and reproductive health
information.
“We are proud that our graduates
exemplify each of the DREAMS ideals.
DREAMS works to empower at-risk young
women to access gainful economic
empowerment opportunities thus reducing
their predisposition to HIV/AIDS and its
effects,” said Mr. Paul Lilan the World
Vision Kenya Board Chairman.
“As World Vision Kenya, we present
graduates who are determined, resilient,
and now empowered as electricians and
plumbers. Having also undergone
mentorship, they are ready to create or
support thriving businesses and careers
in the lucrative blue-collar economy,”
he said.
The technical skills training is
executed by Arc Skills, a leading
provider of skills and development
solutions for schools, universities, and
businesses. The training provided for
young women is certified by the National
Industrial Training Authority (NITA)
and the National Construction Authority
(NCA).
In June 2022, 176 young women and
adolescent girls under the first and
second cohorts graduated into the trades
of plumbing, electrical, and painting,
bringing the total number of technical
and vocational graduates to 276.
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