Technical education is the pathway to limitless opportunities. RAFIKI YA MAISHA participates in Kenya's Vision 2030 towards the industrialisation of the country where more than half of the youth group is rural and unskilled. Our pilot project built and equipped 2 training colleges in Chepkanga, Rift Valley, N-W Kenya. Offering the youth, especially girls, targeted skills, aims to lead them to gainful employment, thus enabling them with empowerment and self-reliance.

Challenge

In rural Kenya, 60% of the teenagers and young adults are unable to move beyond available free primary education. These 'lost' teens or 'dropouts' typically turn to risky behaviors: early pregnancies for girls, addictions for boys. Towns become ghettoized and rural areas loose their youth. Offering them technical skills closer to home aims to break the cycle of poverty on site, right where it is needed. Local families around Chepkanga as well as youths now nationwide benefit directly.

Long-Term Impact

The education of 500+ teens and young adults every year in landmark training colleges enables these young people to strive for a better life in the rural areas. This essentially contributes to decreasing strife, conflict and economic emigration. Kenya is on the path towards industrialisation and needs thousands of skilled and trained workers. Rafiki Ya Maisha, through developing Science and Technology helps to foster a productive and peaceful life for the next generation.

References

1. http://www.rafikiyamaisha.com
2. http://rafikiyamaisha.com

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