Message to the Youth
A benefactor of the Fit for Life project in Kenya speaks about his experiences
“Africa has long been challenged with issues of development and inequality in all
sectors, be it social economic and political. Women and youth have suffered such
inequality because of their vulnerability especially when they are misused. Focus for
any development should be directed towards this marginalized groups because they
hold the keys to any development whatsoever in any developing nation.
My name is Stephen Omondi from Kenya, one of the beneficiaries of the Decent
Work project, a project that is being implemented by DSW championing for women
and youth towards living a decent life. In Kenya it’s been argued that for one to earn
respect or at least recognition, the person should be working in the formal sector
despite the weaknesses of our education system that is crippled in some way. Am
not speaking against my government, am just highlighting on where our political
system has failed.
Our society is such stratified hence making the education system favour only a few,
who can access good schools making them be able to attain good grades hence
enrolling in public universities through government scholarships. Then the question is
who accounts for the populous youths who only have elementary education and also
those who cannot access colleges. Are there other alternatives to help these young
people? Yes there is, through DSW initiative, where I underwent a ten day training as
a TOT [trainer of trainers] representing my group Tarumbeta Africa[trumpets of
Africa] I have acquired more skills that has enabled me to empower my young fellows
towards a realization that it’s our time the youths to take charge of our lives. No one
who will come to help us the youths, times and perception of hand outs are over and
the youths are heading to the call. This has been met with positivity especially by
observing the participants of groups attending and the urge of other groups to be
taught on-the programs of [DSW], and also business stakeholders have come on
board to share their experiences with the youths and how to develop their business
ideas to reality.
Micro and macro financial institutions have not been left out; it’s through DSW that
the youths have been shown how to mobilize funds from these financial institutions
both from government and private sector, and strategies that can be used to attract a
financier through a good business plan. In my perception the future of the Kenyan
youth will depend particularly in the informal sector that will be dominated by selfemployment which will in turn form into cooperatives that will be of Kenyan economy
sustenance for years to come. Many youths have realized that dependency cannot
work, hence other international organizations should emulate the work of DSW by
working with stakeholders and government so that more energy can be spent on
empowering the youth, and offering them avenues towards their success. Hence
organizations giving hand-outs should be cautious of what they are doing instead
they should go to the ground, for them to see real issues and come up with tangible
initiatives whose benefits would last for long.
My appreciation again goes to the DSW for their identification of local youth leaders
and women through their bottom up approach because it’s only through the people
on the ground that they can share what their feelings are and what they want it done.
Through reproduction health education, much progress have been observed in terms
of knowledge compartment, in terms of basic knowledge on family planning issues
and issues concerning safe sex that has paused a big challenge in our slums
environment.
Again my appreciation goes to DSW who single highhandedly, working with
European Commission and other government agencies have been able to think and
come up with such a project. And just to ask DSW to give more sensitization also
about the environment conservation and the benefits that accrue and I would also
ask for exchange programs to be embraced if it exists in their programs. The project
has contributed positively in our communities and that they should keep up with the
project and have more patience so that you can realize your efforts. To us
beneficiaries we will give you support and work hand in hand, and that the light you
have illuminated in us, we shall help more youths in our slums.
Keep up the good work thanks.”
http://www.youth-to-youth.org