A section of youth attends financial training at Lunga-Lunga town in Kwale County.
BY SHABAN OMAR
Over 30 youth in Lunga-Lunga, Kwale County, have received training in financial and business management to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and economic opportunities.
The program, led by the Lunga-Lunga Youth Community-Based Organization (CBO), aims to equip unemployed youth with the knowledge to start and manage businesses while connecting them to financial support.
The initiative also seeks to reduce unemployment and address social vices associated with economic hardship.
Lunga-Lunga Youth CBO Director Ibrahim Shaban said that the training covers essential aspects of entrepreneurship, including business planning, financial literacy, and loan accessibility.
Lunga-Lunga Youth CBO director Ibrahim Shaban speaks in an interview.
“Many young people struggle to access loans due to a lack of financial literacy, making this training crucial in bridging that gap,” he said.
Shaban further mentioned that the program is designed to equip youth with business management skills and link them to financial institutions.
He added that the initiative is part of a broader effort to create self-employment opportunities, reduce dependency, and enhance the resilience of young people in the region.
The LYC Assistant Project Officer Christine Kioko said that the mentorship program is critical in steering youth away from drug abuse and crime, which are often fueled by unemployment.
“The program helps young people escape the dangers of drugs and crime by equipping them with skills to become self-reliant,” she said.
Kioko noted that participants are introduced to government and NGO-sponsored opportunities that can help them start businesses. They also gain access to mentorship programs and networking opportunities to sustain their enterprises.
Lunga-Lunga Youth Assistant Project Officer Christine Kioko
She added that trained youth are expected to become trainers of trainers, sharing their knowledge with peers in different maskanis (informal youth gathering spaces), ensuring the skills reach a wider network and create a ripple effect of positive change in the community.
One of the beneficiaries, Hamadi Ndaro, expressed gratitude for the training, stating that it provided him with practical knowledge on managing business finances and accessing start-up capital.
“The program has opened my eyes to new opportunities. I now understand how to manage profits, save, and invest wisely,” he said.
Ndaro added that he has also gained skills in budgeting, record-keeping, and reinvesting profits.
Another participant, Asha Hamisi, said the training enlightened her on how to apply for government loans and grants to support her business aspirations.
“I was unaware of the opportunities available to empower youth. Now I know how to apply for financial support to start and grow my business,” she said.
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