Build Skills with the "lost" Youth in Kenya

Dear Rafikis,

Elizabeth T, patron of Rafiki Ya Maisha Kenya has made it to France after 18 years! Elizabeth and her family have made good on their promise. We are thrilled to share the latest news from our schools. But we are even happier that our dream of sharing life experiences is happening. The grand goal of develpping cultural exchanges is taking place in both directions. Claire will be hosting a Board meeting followed by a RAFIKI party for our past volunteers next week too.

We are happy to report that our two schools are growing and developing beautifully. They are quite like babies taking less wobbly and more assured steps. We are proud of their achievements and exhilirated to witness the impact of our partnership with the Kenyan government.

The Sergoek VTC (Vocational Training Center) opened it's doors in 2008 with 1 student; 2 years later, there were 28 registered students and today - fast forward 10 years - the enrollment reached 356 out of which nearly 200 are taking the artisan examination in October.

The county government has become a very active player by: (1) sponsoring 25 students (2) funding a ladies' dorm (3) providing tools & equipment worth €16.300/$18.800 (4) funding 2 classrooms and a restaurant. Meanwhile, the national government has resumed it's tuition subsidies and is providing scholarships to 300 students. All this makes wanting to learn a trade more available to the youth.

Rafiki Ya Maisha is pressently funding a modern kitchen thanks to the generosity of the FAWCO (Federation of Amercian Women's Clubs Overseas) development grant. Our support is still very much needed in the area of infrastructure. The school is also dreaming of more land to add a playing field.

A first local RAFIKI YA MAISHA fundraising evening was organized for the benefit of Koshin TTI (Technical Training Institute). It was successful and well attended. We are growing and gaining traction.

Thank you all for your help, your support and your belief that these rural youths can develop their talents at home. Asante sana!  

Claire 

Dear Rafikis, dear faithful friends,

You can be as proud as parents! Last week, the Sergoek vocational training center in Chepkanga held a colorful and well attended FIRST ever graduation ceremony. One hundered and eleven second year graduates in cap & gown transformed the looks of the school on May 25, 2018.

The highest number of graduates were in Food & Nutrition, followed by those in Electrical studies. The principal was thrilled to announce that there were169 new registrations for the coming year. Today, this totals the enrollment at 247 trainees! We are making history!

The local government officials and policy makers have been actively recruting new students and promoting skills development in the county recently. The most convincing proof of this current enthusiasm and renewed support is the revitilization of the scholarship program. A reduced fee structure and greater access to technical education by the Deputy President of Kenya is helping to turn mentalities and beliefs around.The official focus now is on skills rather than theory.

You were the forerunners of this transformation: you can proudly feel that you have contributed to change the paradigm and open the road to human capital development in Kenya.

In Eldoret, the move away from farming to agroprocessing and manufacturing is plain to see. Progress is everywhere, in the new roads, the street lighting, the ban on plastic bags and when you speak to young men and women you get the sense that they are truly feeling the potential to transform their lives and the country.

Vision 2030 started along the little mud road in Chepkanga and it is growing strong. WIth a 115% increase in enrollments and a doubling of the number of diploma holders this year, the little vocational training center in Chepkanga is on the map.

Cheers to all,

Claire