CEFA Field Activity Coordinator Kadzo Jally
BY Kwale Press Club Reporter
A newly launched project is set to be a major boost to young people in Kwale, offering opportunities and career guidance to a majority of the marginalized population.
Through Human Development Agenda (HUDA), an organization based in Diani, the youth from Ukunda, Bongwe and Kinondo will get an opportunity to be mentored and assisted in getting jobs or chances to enhance their skills and knowledge.
They will also get free counselling to help with their mental wellness.
“We have already done the mapping of the opportunities available and will consider the youth in the communities which will then create a major impact,” said Human Development Agenda (HUDA) Executive Director Kashi Jermaine.
Youth who have cleared form four and need assistance in applying for universities and college courses on the KUCCPS site will also be helped for free.
The six-month Integrated Mentorship for Advancing Youth Resilience and Agency (IMARA) project is part of the Kujenga Amani program supported by CEFA (The Seed of Solidarity), an Italian Organization.
CEFA Field Activity Coordinator Kadzo Jally explained that the organization is focused on empowering women and youth, and at the same time fostering collaboration at different levels that will give the vulnerable population a chance.
Mariam Omar, a project assistant at HUDA said the initiative will focus on peace, security, and Gender Based Violence since these are some of the issues that create conflict in society.
“We will identify youth from parts of Ukunda ward and its surroundings who will get mentorship from HUDA mentors for six months. They will meet twice a month. The mentorship sessions are all about helping them discover themselves and their strength,” said Ms Omar.
She said at the moment, there is a major challenge that most young people do not have their national identity cards, and school leaving certificates and it is hard for them to be trusted to apply their skills in any sector without documents.
The mentors will collaborate with the youth, chiefs and officers in charge of the registry, to help them get ID cards.
Some of the mentors will be established youth who have succeeded in various fields including working with youth at Swahilipot Hub in Mombasa County.
Youth from areas like Kinango and Lungalunga will also get access to guidance especially when applying for courses.
The project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Peace Ngome said this will help youth come up with a roadmap for their lives.
The project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Peace Ngome
“One of the drivers of conflict is that youth feel that they are not included in opportunities. But through the project, they will be assigned mentors who will open them up to jobs and scholarships,” said Mr Ngome.
They will also be taught how to write their CVs and apply for critical documents like Identity Cards, Passports, KRA PIN certificates and microfinance loans.
Mr Ngome says when youth lack these documents, they get blocked from various chances like applying for jobs in government or registering their businesses or companies.
This comes as areas around Msambweni and Diani continue to face tension over insecurity caused by groups of youth criminal gangs. He added that dealing with other challenges in society will be a good way to establish the root cause of conflict.
Diani Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Daniel Mberi lauded the project saying it is key in fighting the ills in the society, and he committed to supporting it.
