Job Skills Training for Marginalized Kenyan Youth

Dear friends and donors,

Thank you for your continued support for our youth program. As we have reached the end of 2024 and reflect on Shauri Yako Youth Support Centre (SYSC) successes and challenges of the past twelve months and lessons for the future, we want you to know how much we appreciate your support. You have provided livelihood for many people in desperate need through skills training and jobs, and have made a huge impact in our communities.

The year 2024 was both a difficult and good year in some ways. We saw Kenyan youth standing up and demanding education, employment, and good governance. Youth here find themselves increasingly marginalized. They lack education and other development opportunities, especially skills training that can help them gain employment and become self-reliant. There is an urgent need for the Kenya government to work with youth support workers, employers, education providers and training institutions to develop a national strategy for creating youth economic opportunities.      

According to Federation of Kenya Employment's latest report, the construction industry is posed to create 35.7% (the majority) of new jobs in Kenya between now and 2030. The demand for skilled workers in this sector has been growing steadily in the recent years, this trend is expected to continue well into the future because the construction industry is vital to the growth and development of the country. As the population continues to increase, so does the need for new infrastructure, building, and housing. The demand for new construction projects translates into an increased demand for skilled workers.

Construction Skills Trailing: Creating Opportunities through Partnership

For the 4 years, SYSC' has been working in collaboration with CAPYEI, the National Construction Authority and construction industry partners to provide skills training and employment  for out-of-school and unemployed youth. We are excited to now be in discussion with county governments about creating a policy that will require youth skills training and employment (and an associated budget) as a part of every infrastructure and construction project in Nyeri. We hope to have this approved and implemented from 2025.

2024 Accomplishments

We are proud to report 18 youth received training and were put in jobs! 

• 4 masons
• 4 plumbers
• 4 welders
• 4 tillers
• 2 solar technicians

Scouts Program - Life skills training:

Thanks to your help, we have continued with our Scouts and life skills training program, which helps to promote leadership skills, positive social skills and mental health of young persons and plays an important role in strengthening coping strategies, self-confidence and social behavior. The program also teach health and hygiene practices and decision making. Also very important: the Scouts dedicate their time to providing many free community services.  

Maternal Health Education 

In the informal settlements of Nyeri town, the maternal mortality ratio - that is, the number of women dying of pregnancy-related causes - is high. Women who do not receive health care services before they get pregnancy are more likely to die during pregnancy or due to childbirth complications. Women’s health before, during, and pregnancy can have a major impact on infant health and well-being. The strategy is to help pregnant women get medical care and to end preventable maternal and perinatal death, particularly to those at risk of being left behind as residents of informal urban settlements. SYSC is working in collaboration with Nyeri County Government to promote maternal health for people living in Nyeri informal settlements. This initiative is helping to address maternal health gaps here. The government has trained and placed 3 Maternal Health workers at SYSC. The workers are serving people Shauri Yako, Manjengo and Kiawara informal communities. We appreciate the support given by the Government of Japan through JOICFP organization to train the health workers. 

Looking Forward

We want to express our profound gratitude to all of you and for you to know that you touch lives of so many people. As we look ahead to 2025, we remain hopeful for what we can achieve together. On behalf of all of us at SYSC and the people we serve, we wish you all and Happy New Year. Thank you for your unwavering support, and may we continue to bring hope and change to lives of those who need it most.

Joe Mwai

Shauri Yako Youth Support Centre