Kenya's youth are battling unemployment - but you can help

The youth of Kenya are struggling with rampant unemployment and poverty. But ICARE’s new training program will help give them the skills they need to survive.

Ever wonder what life must be like for youth growing up in Kenya?

A developing nation, typically experiencing population explosion, runaway unemployment, menacing poverty, youth desperation and low livelihood standards, communities in Kenya face a constant uphill struggle for sustainability and endurance.

Youth below the age of 30 years make up 36% of Kenya’s population. Most of them live below the poverty line. Approximately 750,000 young men and women graduating at primary and high school levels are added to the job market annually. Although more than 92% have basic formal education, they have no vocational skills training and are far more than the labour market can absorb. Unemployment amongst youth ranges at 70%. The lack of employment opportunities undermine the well-being of the young people, resulting all the more in dependency and a vicious cycle of poverty, social ills, lack of dignity and self-esteem.

Now consider the opportunities that could be afforded with a Vocational Skills Training program to increase enterprise activities and promote self-employment opportunities for youth to make them employable, productive, self-reliant and responsible members of society…

Having identified a need to facilitate vocational skills training for youth out of formal schooling, a small community set about the establishment of Piave Youth Polytechnic in Nakuru County within the Rift Valley region of Kenya.

In its initial phase of development the polytechnic currently offers vocational courses in Fashion & Design and Motor Vehicle Mechanics. Over the next three years the Polytechnic will expand its course offerings from two to eight to include metal work and fabrication, agri-business, food and beverages, building and construction, life skills and information communication technology.

Specific activities will include improved access to teaching and learning facilities through the provision of adequate and up-to-date equipment and textbooks. Developing teacher capacity and establishment of Girl Child Clubs to enable mentorship, access to and sustainable management of the youth polytechnic. Competitive entrepreneurship training and provision of enterprise start-up tool kits and machines to graduates to enhance self-employment and creation of more vocational opportunities.

ICARE is very delighted to announce its involvement with this program in collaboration with their overseas education partner, HMDS to assist and empower disadvantaged people and communities towards self-determination, self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

ICARE will be working to develop the polytechnic to expand its offerings in support of 250 students with a potential to reach 2500 catchment community residents through the various activities highlighted by 2017.

How can you support?

• We encourage you to please make a generous donation so ICARE can assist these communities through sustainable development to break out of poverty.
• Promote ICARE’s work further by sharing this story with your friends and family.
• Follow ICARE’s blog and stay tuned for more updates.

You can donate to ICARE here.