Safaricom Foundation and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have granted scholarships to 160 young people in a bid to equip them with technical skills.
Under the Wezesha na Vijana programme, the beneficiaries will acquire training from Technical and Vocational Educational and Training Institutions. (TVETs) in efforts to increase their employability and sharpen their entrepreneurial skills.
Speaking during the scholarship award ceremony, CRS Country Representative Rebecca Hallam said the Wezesha Vijana programme will create pathways to prosperity and open doors of opportunities for the young individuals.
“We are here today to recognize a group of exceptional young individuals who have been selected for TVET scholarships. Your talent, determination and resilience have not gone unnoticed because you have demonstrated your readiness to embrace learning to challenge yourselves and to strive for excellence,” said Hallam.
The programme aims to train the selected youths in electrical works, food and beverage, welding, plumbing, motor vehicle mechanics, fashion and design, beauty, driving, painting and floor tiling.
A beneficiary, Diana Kamau said she hopes to acquire skills and knowledge after being awarded a one-year scholarship in painting.
“I look forward to acquire skills and knowledge about painting. I am happy that I will be a female painter. Without this scholarship, it would have been difficult for me to go to college because of lack of funds,” she said.
The government has said it has allocated Ksh 28.3 billion to TVETs across the country which will help in its goal of strengthening technical and vocational education to enhance the country’s capacity to offer practical training to the youth.
Of those selected, 105 are female whileb 55 are male.
