Vulnerable Young Women Benefit from Technical and Vocational Training

Thursday, July 14, 2022

NAIROBI, JULY 13, 2022- Nearly 200 vulnerable young women have graduated into the trades of plumbing, electrical wiring and painting, thanks to the support of World Vision and the Family Bank Foundation in Kenya.

The women are equipped with skills to establish or take up jobs in the building and construction industry, which have for a long time been considered a preserve of men. They will therefore boost the technical workforce in these sectors.

In addition to the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and the National Construction Authority (NCA) certifications, the graduates also received construction tool kits to equip them as they start their integration into the labour market.

Through a KSh.20 million partnership between World Vision Kenya’s USAID Tumikia Mtoto Project and the Family Group Foundation, the 276 young women - aged between 18 and 35 – were supported to undergo a vocational training course and apprentice programme that equipped them with skills in plumbing, electrical wiring and painting. The initiative was aimed at enhancing their employability and income generation capabilities, so as to improve their livelihoods.

“These efforts contribute to the broader World Vision Kenya goal of promoting the well-being of vulnerable children and communities in this country,” said Mr. Paul Lilan, World Vision Kenya’s Board Chairman, during the recent Graduation Ceremony for the girls which was held in June 2022.

Rebecca Mbithi, the Family Bank Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO) stated that the organisation was keen on accelerating sustainable investment ventures and closing the gender gap in financial inclusion.

“We want to not only empower the young women but enable them to empower others as we drive financial inclusion and sustainability,” she said.

Engineer Edward Karani, the Director for Infrastructure Development, Technology, and Innovation at the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) noted that technical and vocational skills play a significant role in creating opportunities for self-employment among the youth.

“I commend the Family Bank Foundation and USAID through World Vision Kenya for joining hands to empower the lives of these young women,” he said.

During the graduation ceremony, the US Embassy Deputy Ambassador (Chargé d'affaires) Eric Watnik lauded the organisations’ effort to empower young women. “We are all proud and hopeful as these young women step out into the world, ready to make a difference in their lives, and the lives of their families,” he said.

 

ABOUT WORLD VISION KENYA’S USAID TUMIKIA

This is a PEPFAR/USAID-funded five-year project working towards promoting access to county-led quality health and social services for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), and their families as a continuum of care, protection, and capacity building for self-reliance. The project is led by World Vision Kenya (the prime) in partnership with six local implementing partners (LIPs) - Redeemed Integrated Development Agency (RIDA), The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), AVSI Foundation, Beacon of Hope, St. John’s Community Centre (SJCC), and Cheer Up Program. The project is jointly implemented with the county governments of Nairobi and Kiambu. USAID Tumikia Mtoto enjoys complementary support from strong partnerships with clinical partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders in delivering quality age-appropriate HIV and violence prevention health and social services to AGYW, OVC, and their families in Nairobi and Kiambu counties.

ABOUT THE FAMILY GROUP FOUNDATION.

The Family Group Foundation (TFGF) was established by an associated group of companies, namely Family Bank, Kenya Orient Insurance, and Daykio Plantations. The Foundation’s mission is to empower families by catalysing transformative change for wealth creation by building a more inclusive society through sustainable community investment programmes in education, health, agriculture, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship development through a Shared Value Initiative. Our Shared Value Initiatives are focused on youth and women empowerment. They are cantered on quality secondary education through scholarships for bright and needy students, nurturing sports talent through Family Group Eldoret Half Marathon, inclusive education for children with special needs dubbed Champions Run for Autism, agribusiness for climate-resilient food and nutrition security, construction in adherence to green building technologies, ICT, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and environmental conservation for climate change adaptation.

For more information, please contact:

Hellen Githakwa

World Vision Kenya

Hellen_githakwa@wvi.org

OR

Grace Wangari

Tim-Sky Media Services

grace.wangari@tim-skymedia.com