New initiative empowers disadvantaged youth with education scholarships

Catholic Relief Services Country Representative Rebecca Hallam (right) presents a scholarship award certificate to Lawrence Wainaina during the award ceremony.

A new initiative seeking to empower disadvantaged youth has been launched, offering scholarships to 160 individuals for technical and vocational training.

The Wezesha Vijana programme aims to increase the beneficiaries’ chances of securing gainful employment and business opportunities.

At least 105 females and 55 males from poor backgrounds have been awarded the scholarships.

The programme, which commenced in September 2023, offers training in a variety of fields including electrical works, food and beverage, welding, plumbing, motor vehicle mechanics, fashion and design, beauty, driving, painting, and floor tiling.

During the scholarship award ceremony, Catholic Relief Services Country Representative Rebecca Hallam said, “We are here today to recognize a group of exceptional young individuals who have been selected for TVET scholarships,” she said.

“Your talent, determination and resilience have not gone unnoticed because you have demonstrated your readiness to embrace learning to challenge yourselves and to strive for excellence.”

  One of the beneficiaries, 19-year-old Diana Kamau, shared her excitement about the opportunity.

“I look forward to acquiring skills and knowledge about painting. I am happy that I will be a female painter. Without this scholarship, it would have been difficult for me to go to college because of lack of funds,” she said.

The programme aligns with the government’s goal of strengthening technical and vocational education to enhance the country’s capacity to offer practical training to the youth.

The Wezesha Vijana programme is sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Safaricom Foundation.