Provide Job Skills to Kenyan Slum Youth

Dear Friends,

As we come to the end of the second quarter of 2018, we feel grateful for your support. It’s important to us that you know that your helps keeps SYSC open. We are constantly thinking of how to keep the programs going, but knowing that you are with us gives us hope and motivates us onward. And so we want to update you on things we're trying and the results we're seeing.  

JOB SKILLS TRAINING

In the last two years, we've seen a huge skilled labour shortage in the construction sector that continues today.  We've discovered that collaboration with the private sector to train youth as masons and plumbers is a really effective way to help youth gain access to entry level construction jobs.  This is a perfect partnership, as our corporate partners need skilled labourers and we avoid the costs of funding training entirely ourselves. We've now partnered with two real estate development companies, Derisco Kenya LTD and Options for Homes Kenya on successful pilot projects and are in discussion with two other companies. We are now supporting 8 more youth through 6-month training who will be ready for certification exams in August.  Our partners are covering the cost of training and worker's compensation, and SYSC is funding trainees' living expenses and arranging trade certification exams.  

INFORMAL SCHOOL FOR NEWCOMERS' CHILDREN

In the year since we began SYSC's informal school, we've seen the just how significant a role the school plays in the community. Between July and December of last year, we saw a huge numbers of families moving in Shauri Yako community to escape political violence in other counties.  They arrived with school-aged children, who had no school to go to, and so our informal school welcomed 28 newcomer’s children, giving them refuge, community and cost-free basic education.  With your support, we are able to pay one fulltime teacher Mary Wanjiru and help to pay an honorarium to cover the transporation costs of the two volunteers that we were able to recruit to support the school.  

SCOUTS SHOWING LEADERSHIP FOR OTHER YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY

In April 2018, our Scouts organized a camping adventure, creating a chance for slum youth to experience the outdoors and natures.  We now want to organize an excursion for every school holiday, so are looking for camping equipment donations, like tents.  We're now planning one for the month of December 2018 on our Board Chair's Mathira, Itundu farm. We're grateful for the support of the Kenya Scout Association Nyeri for continued support to our SYSC Scout Rovers who, in turn, provide continued support to our community and its environment.

Please know that your continued support means a lot to our centre. Thank you again for your continued care for the future of our youth.

Yours sincerely,

Joe Mwai