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< Back Credible and Peaceful Election: Our Responsibility Location Bungoma, Busia Location Democracy & Governance Minority communities, such as the Teso and Sabaot, perceive that they are being excluded from county governments, both in the Assembly and Executive. Youth are vulnerable to criminal violence.. Kisumu, Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya, and Bungoma. Marking Progress, Growing the Future: P4T Concludes Phase One of Land Access Initiative and Launches Next Chapter View Project Kakamega Outcome Harvesting for the Enhancing Good Governance in Kisumu and Bungoma Counties View Project Nairobi County, Kenya Official Handover of the Kenya’s First E-Mobility Curriculum for Electric Vehicle Assistant Technician (NSC II – KNQF Level 3) View Project Kisumu and Nairobi Counties Celebrating Peace in Action: IDP 2025 Commemorations Unite Kisumu and Nairobi in Shared Vision for National Cohesion View Project Anchor 1 Previous Next

The daily cost of hiring minus fuel and painter ranges between 800 – 1000 shillings. Now we don’t spend on hiring machine. Turning the Tides through Development Cooperation Skills Development Mathews Ochieng Msumba, famously known as 'Jawaya' operates OK Garage in Kisumu. The garage is famous for all its motor vehicle services and has produced various apprentice trainees. OK garage was identified by Pamoja as an industry player in the initial phases of the S4J project to provide Motor Vehicle Mechanic trainees with attachment. The garage has had a similar arrangement of apprenticeship training with Undugu Society, among other partners. When Pamoja reached out to the garage in September 2021, we were not sure whether our concept of apprenticeship would sail through given that other development partners pay the industry players for every trainee attached, and this is not the case with our model. However, out of the usual practice of supporting the vulnerable and contributing to the empowerment of youth in Kisumu, the garage agreed to our concept." Previously, we hired spray painting machine to attend to our customer needs. The daily cost of hiring minus fuel and painter ranges between 800 – 1000 shillings. Now we don’t spend on hiring machine. In fact, we now lend out our machine to other neighbors at a cost when we do not have spray paint work. The machine brings money whether we have spray panting work or not. Even with the past arrangement with other partners, we have not had such assets given to us. We sincerely appreciate this gesture and commit to providing opportunities for the trainees to practice here” Says Jawaya." OK Garage provided attachment opportunities to 5 MVM trainees for the January–April 2022 cohort, and another 5 trainees are currently undergoing their internship at the garage. An opportunity that Jawaya describes as an avenue to give back to society and a tradition they are not letting go any time soon." In our new model of supporting a select number of industry players as they provide apprenticeships, Ok Garage was recently provided with a new heavy-duty spray painting machine in June 2022. The need for this machine was identified through our regular visits and follow-up with attached trainees and validated through Jawaya and team consent. \"As a recommendation, I urge that you consider an arrangement where you bring us fresh or new trainees.\" We train them here and you register them for NITA grade test III exams. I believe this would be the best approach for fast learners and will provide much needed practical skills from the onset." More Stories Skills Development Turning the Tides through Development Cooperation Read More Peace and Governance Turning Pain into Peace Read More Skills and Development Hillary Kawa Sore Read More Skills and Development My Move to start own business ignited by Pamoja skills training Read More Skills and Development Pamoja changed my Life Read More Skills and Development Reconnecting to my business dream through development partnership Read More

Pamoja empowers youth, women and men to solve problems in their communities related to violence, security and poverty. We help transform institutions and communities to move from crisis and poverty to peace and prosperity across Kenya. Current Projects Skills and Enterprise Development Skills for Jobs Youth unemployment rate in Kenya averages at 35%. Poor women and youth lack skills and access to capital and markets to grow a business and create jobs. Poor women and young people are enabled to grow their existing small businesses, raise their income, build a sustainable livelihood for themselves and their families, and create employment opportunities for others. Project page Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) SMEs have been facing unprecedented income losses and uncertainties about their future because of business disruptions due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Most SMEs do not have financial reserves to meet expenses during emergencies. It also emerged that many Kenyans do not make savings with only 39% of Kenyans have set aside funds to manage emergencies that arise from loss of income. Project page Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Go Blue The overall project goal is to contribute to coastal economic development in an inclusive, integrated, participatory, and sustainable manner that will strengthen inclusive and sustainable blue economy value chains through skill development and matching, and value chain development. The project will raise incomes and improve working conditions through cooperation with the business and the public sector thereby promoting economic growth by enhancing labour productivity for the reduction of poverty in Kwale, Tana-River, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu Counties. Project page Green Economy Promoting integrated farming for increased food security and climate adaptation. The objective is to support innovative and resilient farming methods that will increase food security and contribute to the economic and livelihood development. The young people in particular who are more energized and creative have been given platforms through which they can develop farming structures and increase production. Project Page Renewable Energy Improving employment and economic opportunities for the youth through cooperation with the public and private sectors by supporting young Kenyans to access job opportunities in the renewable energy sector. The project promotes demand-oriented skills and develop a renewable energy talent pool, thereby increasing the number of skilled technicians in the renewable energy sub-sector. Project page Peace and Governance The project empowers men and boys by providing safe spaces to strategically engage in mitigating violence against women. The project fosters collaboration between schools, the police, health and legal service providers and community leaders. It trained community and religious leaders as mentors in violence prevention. Preventing Gender Based Violence Project page Kenya Electoral Conflicts Mitigation & Civic/Voter Education Support Program(ECCES) Kenya Electoral Conflicts Mitigation & Civic/Voter Education Support (ECCES) Program ensures resilience of vulnerable populations and environments is improved, civil society, women and youth successfully participate in democratic processes, lead voter/civic education and implement local strategies to mitigate and respond to electoral violence. The program secures the safety and security of all citizens, safeguarding their human rights, and deepening the inclusion of traditionally marginalized groups e.g. women, youth, and people with disabilities Co-Convenor of the National Peace Actors Forum (PAF) PAF is a coordination platform that steers the peace advocacy and policy agenda by bringing together various peace initiatives, organizations, sectors and leaders engaged and promoting peaceful resolution of Kenya’s diverse conflicts through dialogue, research and building of of synergy. The NMF was born out of the need for a collective, consistent and coordinated voice on an inclusive national dialogue. Project Page Building Community Identity for Change The project aims at promoting peaceful coexistence and the reintegration of youth at risk into the community through dialogues, sports, culture and income generating activities. The project promotes cross learning as a strategy to influence negative perceptions, and behaviour between communities and identity groups in Mombasa County. These include tailor made capacity training on conflict transformation, non-violent communication, problem solving dialogue as alternative to violence as well as trust and confidence building. Project page Accelerated Response Initiative against Violent Extremism (ARIVE) The program aims at addressing the weak P/CVE system, coordination and collaboration across state and non-state actors, high levels of distrust between government and communities persist and the voices of those most at-risk of radicalization and recruitment that goes unheard in the forums, platforms and policies established to build greater resilience to VE. Resilience Peace and Stability (RPS) Resilience Peace and Stability (RPS) is an overall program being support by the royal Danish embassy through Act Change Transform! The project being implemented under RPS is dubbed “strengthening community resilience for peace and security (SCRS) project”. The objectives for the projects is: To strengthen inter group relations between groups and communities affected by conflict (inter-ethnic, intra ethnic, other conflicting in-groups and out-groups). To reduce push/pull factors towards violence among at risk groups through peace messaging, social linkages and transformation platforms for women, youths and vulnerable groups. To strengthen state and non-state peace actor’s coordination on PCVE in Kisumu through capacity building and enhanced cooperation between communities and government agencies based on respect for human rights and good governance. Improving Community Safety and Cohesion in Kisumu The project aims at transforming violent conflicts among the youth at risk by fostering their integration into the community and reducing violent gang and extremist activities that undermine community safety. Enhance communication, collaboration and trust between the police, the county government, local politicians, the civil society and youth at risk of violence and crime. Project Page Climate-Change Governance The projects seeks promote resilient practices that conserve the natural resources by enhancing equitable access, utilization and sharing the natural. through this projects, pastoralist communities and the fisherfolks are organized, trained and provided with alternative knowledge and skills that sustains the use of the natural resources including water, pasture, land through alternative agriculture and aquaculture that improves incomes and livelihood. Project page

Agricultural Land Lease Agreement Form This land lease agreement form is designed to: Facilitate execution and provide security to all parties in a land lease engagement in an effective manner for all genders, including young men, women, and youth groups. Be used for a new lease or an amendment to an existing agreement, applicable to both public or privately owned land. Clearly state the details of land being leased and the terms and conditions of leasing, which may include land management practices. Be endorsed and witnessed by a Local Government Administrator and relevant stakeholders, including groups and spouses where applicable. This form is to be filled in triplicate, with one copy to be retained by the lessor, one by the lessee, and one by the endorsing Government Officer. Click to Download Form

Pamoja for Transformation empowers youth, women and men to solve problems in their communities related to violence, security and poverty. We help transform institutions and communities to move from crisis and poverty to peace and prosperity across Kenya. Improving Community Safety & Cohesion At a Glance KEY FACTS Region: Kisumu County Period: December 2016 – May 2018 Partner: Act Change Transform (ACT!) Donor: Danish International Development Agency - DANIDA CONTEXT In Kisumu county, the large numbers of unemployed youth lack access to economic opportunities as well as opportunities to participate in dialogue on issues affecting their communities. This has often resulted in violence and crimes, especially during election times. Young people are often manipulated and hired by politicians to intimidate their rivals and cause violence. Women remain largely excluded from playing an active role in conflict resolution processes. PROJECT AIM Reduce violent gang activities and violent extremism to enhance community safety. Enhance communication, collaboration and trust between the police, the county government, local politicians, the civil society and youth at risk of violence and crime. Results 2017 1’288 representatives from the national and county government, the police, the Council of Elders, the media, as well as religious, youth and civil society leaders attended a series of networking and problem-solving forums. Increased levels of trust and confidence between police and youth at risk groups leading to increased violence and crime reporting. 25 women were trained in mediation and became actively involved in mitigating land conflicts and political incitement. Project Donation Donation account Donation account, Kenya Account Name: Pamoja for Transformation Trust Bank: Cooperative Bank of Kenya Account number: 01128621310300 BANK address: P.O Box 4260-00100 Nairobi Branch: Greenhouse mall Branch Code: 153 SWIFT CODE: KCOOKENA Donation account, Liechtenstein Account name: Pamoja for Transformation e.V. Bank: Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, Vaduz, Liechtenstein Account number.: 5475.6939.2001 IBAN: LI52 0880 0547 5693 9200 1 BIC: LILALI2XXXX Remark: Improving Community Safety Donation information

Pamoja for Transformation empowers youth, women and men to solve problems in their communities related to violence, security and poverty. We help transform institutions and communities to move from crisis and poverty to peace and prosperity across Kenya. Thank you to all our partners, donors & supporters! Public and private partners are key to Pamoja's success. Partnerships with public and private institutions enable us to increase the scale, sustainability and effectiveness of our work. To this end, we collaborate with local communities, governments, the private sector, civil society organisations and others towards sustainable peace and development. Foundations & Associations Christian Martin Stiftung Frauenverein Vaduz Garndrang Mariano Stiftung Midnight Foundation Tarom Foundation Tellerrand – Verein für solidarisches Handeln Privat persons & familie Network memberships Netzwerk für Entwicklungszusammenarbeit in Liechtenstein Donate

Despite making hundreds of applications, no jobs were coming forth which made me feel very discouraged. My grandmother also felt like I wasn’t doing enough. Your Support was an ‘Eye Opener’ Skills and Development Beline Perry was on-boarded in the skills for jobs program under the Novice Cohort II category at YMCA in January 2022. She is 26-year-old and a second child in a family of 3, Perry and her siblings lost their parents at tender age and were taken in by their grandmother. All through her life, Perry had always strived to work hard in her studies to support her grandmother and her siblings. She had even managed to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Enterprise and Management degree at Egerton University." Things however didn’t turn out as easy as Perri had anticipated, getting a job after her graduation had proved to be a struggle. “Despite making hundreds of applications, no jobs were coming forth which made me feel very discouraged. My grandmother also felt like I wasn’t doing enough.” From her childhood passion in hairdressing, Perri decided to establish a small saloon where she could keep herself busy and to make a little earnings for herself. As her customer base grew, so were their demands. Perri noticed that majority of her clients were in need of beauty services including; makeup application, manicure and pedicure settings. It was then that she learnt of the skills for jobs project in Kisumu. She applied and got enrolled at YMCA. Perri has learnt to express her creativity in the field of beauty therapy. She committed to the 3month technical training to the extent of closing her small business to attend her classes." Perri successfully sat for her NITA grade III, government trade test and has fully embarked on her Salon. She has also offered an employment opportunity to one of her colleagues from YMCA. She currently sponsors her youngest sibling who is a student at Kisumu Polytechnic “I am very grateful to Pamoja for Transformation and her donor for the opportunity to study and the gift of Hair Drier machine. I now have skills in Beauty Therapy and equipped to offer competent services to my clients. I would wish to tell my fellow young people not to wait to be employed. Employment opportunities are quite few, but with our own hands and hard work, we can contribute to create such opportunities for ourselves and others” Beline Perri" More Stories Skills Development Turning the Tides through Development Cooperation Read More Peace and Governance Turning Pain into Peace Read More Skills and Development Hillary Kawa Sore Read More Skills and Development My Move to start own business ignited by Pamoja skills training Read More Skills and Development Pamoja changed my Life Read More Skills and Development Reconnecting to my business dream through development partnership Read More

Gallery - Climate Change Resilience Program Mangrove Restoration in Junda Creek, Mombasa County Azolla Farming Azolla Farming Azolla Vertical Bag Farming Tree seedlings Tree Planting Day Tree Planting During International day of Peace Tree Planting during the 4th GEM Climate Adaptation Expo

We offer our beneficiaries and partners the new knowledge, evidence and innovative solutions (tools, best practices) in peace building and economic development, generated through our implementation and evidence building work. Competitive and tailored capacity development support and or systems strengthening for purposes of enhanced service delivery and realization of both individual and institutional goals. Opportunities to leverage on our geographical coverage, technical know-how, and networks for purposes of (joint) delivery and or scaling up of various developmental responses. My Hope to be Great is Revived “This opportunity helped me to channel my dream by focusing my attention on completing my studies. While this is a certificate course, I find it covering almost half of what we learn at the university. I love the practical bit and I am inspired to continue to grade II and beyond in the future. This will give me an upper hand to become an examiner for technical training. I am also encouraged to finish my degree. I now have the confidence and determined to resume my fourth year studies with the small savings from freelancing and a token of appreciation from the YMCA. Having the two levels of training will increase my experience and chances in the job market and, overall, in the beauty industry. The knowledge and network gained from Up-skillers BFM training has increased my client base and inspired me to follow through on my passion of becoming a great cosmetologist and examiner instructor. I appreciate the opportunity; the scholarship has put me a step closer to my dream. I promise to keep impacting others too. Learning that both the trainees and other instructors appreciate my work gives me hope that I am on the right track to achieving my goal.” Says Pamela Pamela Adhiambo is a 23-year-old lady, a dancer by passion, and a volunteer instructor in the hair dressing and beauty therapy department at YMCA-Kisumu. She describes herself as a makeup artist and nail technician, work that she does on a free-lance basis. The desire to grow her passion and work with young people for empowerment led her to seek an opportunity to serve as a volunteer instructor with the YMCA-Kisumu. She previously served as volunteer at EXELL School of Beauty Therapy and Institute of Certified Studies (ICS). Pamela is also a third-year student at Masinde Muliro University of Technology, undertaking a Bachelor of Technology in Cosmetology. A course she enrolled in 2017 but has deferred due to a lack of school fees on numerous occasions. Pamela Adhiambo As the first born in a family of four, Pamela describes her family background as complicated and is passionate about cutting her own space to become a great person in society. She previously attempted several job applications but has not been successful. Some of which she missed out on because of lack of academic transcripts. She has not been able to access her transcripts because she has not paid the required school fees. It is at her disposal as a volunteer instructor and trainer in dance at YMCA that she learnt about the S4J Partial Scholarship early this year (2022) and went ahead to apply as an up-skiller during the period May–July 2022 intake. Having qualified and enrolled in the programme, Pamela is among the 77 up-skillers spread across 5 learning institutions who sat for NITA Grade Test III assessment in July 2022. The S4J project supports upskillers by paying their exam fees and offering 3-day training on business, finance, and soft skills to help them improve their business practices. Reconnecting to my business dream through development partnership "The knowledge acquired from the training is helping me to better plan, set goals for my business and engage with my customers effectively. The overlock machine has increased the quality of my work. I can now do quality finishing on my products. I even earn some money from my fellow tailors-turned-customers who bring their clothes for overlock. I charge 40-50 shillings for overlocking one piece of cloth. This has guaranteed some level of income alongside the quality of my work. I see myself growing and attracting more customers. My income has improved and I look forward to establishing ‘ Ouya Textiles Company’ in future. Says Ouya. Amos Ouya is a 49-year-old middle-aged tailor from Kisumu. He is married to Monica Atieno and has five children. Mr. Ouya runs a garment making shop at Ekwanda shopping center in Maseno, Kisumu. This business he started in early 2000 having learnt some tailoring skills in primary home science and further acquiring skills in dress making through apprenticeship both in Nairobi and Kisumu. Ouya holds a theology diploma in Bible in Mission from Nairobi Great Commission School. "We both run the garment making shop with my wife, who is a KNEC-certified tailor. For many years of practicing garment making, I desired to be a certified tailor to prove my ability given the longstanding experience in this field. Sometimes we joked about it with my wife, who is certified dressmaker…. although I have more experience. Lack of a certificate lowered my self-esteem in negotiating business deals with customers. Thanks to Pamoja for your scholarship program. I sat for my NITA Grade Test III assessment in May 2022 at Mariwa Vocational Training Center and I am determined to further my studies, "says Ouya. Ouya is part of the 118 up-skillers enrolled in the Skills for Jobs (S4J) project for the period, January–April 2022. As an apprentice, he also benefited from Business Finance Management (BFM) training and was awarded a business toolkit of an overlock machine. The overall objective of the S4J project is to improve the employability and economic opportunities of young men and women in Kisumu, Bungoma, and Siaya Counties. The goal of the BFM and soft skills training is to provide participants with practical knowledge and tools in business, finance, and business planning. Ouya currently provides attachment to tailoring and dress making trainees from Mariwa Vocational Training Center. He considers this an opportunity not only for learning by the trainees but platform to enhance publicity of his enterprise. "Thank you to Pamoja, you have made me proud. Keep up the good job and support many to address both technical and capital needs to start or grow their businesses.” Perri successfully sat for her NITA grade III, government trade test and has fully embarked on her Salon. She has also offered an employment opportunity to one of her colleagues from YMCA. She currently sponsors her youngest sibling who is a student at Kisumu Polytechnic “I am very grateful to Pamoja for Transformation and her donor for the opportunity to study and the gift of Hair Drier machine. I now have skills in Beauty Therapy and equipped to offer competent services to my clients. I would wish to tell my fellow young people not to wait to be employed. Employment opportunities are quite few, but with our own hands and hard work, we can contribute to create such opportunities for ourselves and others” Beline Perri My Move to start own business ignited by Pamoja skills training At the time of her enrollment in the project, Josphene had been learning tailoring as an apprentice for close to two years. “Although I had known the job, I relied on daily commission from my labour. I was paid a commission of 50 shillings for every shirt I made and 100 shillings for every dress. My commission depended on the availability of customers. I longed to open my own shop but was limited by lack of finance and confidence to make the move. The training on business finance management and soft skills gave me the inspiration and confidence to walk the journey. Lessons on goal setting, entrepreneurship, and business planning gave me the insights to begin the journey," says Josphene. During the BFM and soft skills training, participants are given the opportunity to practice Business Model Canvas (BMC) and business planning with their actual or dream businesses. It is from this kind of practice that Josphene begun visualizing and actualizing her newly desired business move. From the training, Josphene reached out to a friend in need who wanted to sell her old manual sewing machine and, with her little savings, bought the machine through two installments of Ksh. 2,500. Her husband later bought her another second-hand manual sewing machine. Even with the two manual machines, her work output was limited and always interrupted by regular maintenance due to bad condition of the second hand machines. Josphene was awarded a business toolkit of a brand new Singer sewing machine to boost her business operations. "Before, I could only do one dress in a day. However, with the new machine from Pamoja, my work is faster and satisfactorily. I can do more than two dresses in a day. Sincerely, my business has changed. I am on a different growth trajectory. My income has improved. I made an average of 200 shillings before. I now make more than double and am still able to meet my customer's demand for production and comfortably provide space for two trainees on attachment. My only challenge now is the overlocking machine. As a remedy, I just do neat finishing but sometimes pay for overlock services. I am committed to expanding the business and moving from the current container to bigger space. Though I never made it to university, I see this business helping me to educate my children to university and beyond, " says Josphene. Turning the Tides through Development Cooperation Mathews Ochieng Msumba, famously known as "Jawaya," operates OK Garage in Kisumu. The garage is famous for all its motor vehicle services and has produced various apprentice trainees. OK garage was identified by Pamoja as an industry player in the initial phases of the S4J project to provide Motor Vehicle Mechanic trainees with attachment. The garage has had a similar arrangement of apprenticeship training with Undugu Society, among other partners. When Pamoja reached out to the garage in September 2021, we were not sure whether our concept of apprenticeship would sail through given that other development partners pay the industry players for every trainee attached, and this is not the case with our model. However, out of the usual practice of supporting the vulnerable and contributing to the empowerment of youth in Kisumu, the garage agreed to our concept. “previously, we hired spray painting machine to attend to our customer needs. The daily cost of hiring minus fuel and painter ranges between 800 – 1000 shillings. Now we don’t spend on hiring machine. In fact, we now lend out our machine to other neighbors at a cost when we do not have spray paint work. The machine brings money whether we have spray panting work or not. Even with the past arrangement with other partners, we have not had such assets given to us. We sincerely appreciate this gesture and commit to providing opportunities for the trainees to practice here” Says Jawaya. OK Garage provided attachment opportunities to 5 MVM trainees for the January–April 2022 cohort, and another 5 trainees are currently undergoing their internship at the garage. An opportunity that Jawaya describes as an avenue to give back to society and a tradition they are not letting go any time soon. Figure 4: On the above left is Mathews Ochieng Ms umba of OK garage display his new spray painting machine after site visit and toolkit handing over by Pamoja In our new model of supporting a select number of industry players as they provide apprenticeships, Ok Garage was recently provided with a new heavy-duty spray painting machine in June 2022. The need for this machine was identified through our regular visits and follow-up with attached trainees and validated through Jawaya and team consent. "As a recommendation, I urge that you consider an arrangement where you bring us fresh or new trainees." We train them here and you register them for NITA grade test III exams. I believe this would be the best approach for fast learners and will provide much needed practical skills from the onset. Pamoja Changed My Life The need for survival led him to engage in casual jobs to earn a living, at local building sites (mjengo) as a helper, as a tout at the local matatu industry (plying Kahawa West –Nairobi City route), at car washes as an attendant and as a casual laborer in small restaurants within Nairobi city. It is from such engagement that he developed a passion for cooking through his experiences in working at hotels and eateries though his financial and social circumstances however could not allow him to act beyond his desired goal to be a chef. Samuel learnt about the skills for jobs sponsorship through an advert that was forwarded online by a close relative. After application he was lucky to be on-boarded under the Novice Cohort-I category at NITA-Kisumu to pursue a short-term course in food and beverage production between January–April 2022. The training offered Sam practical and theoretical skills in food and beverage production that has equipped him with a range of knowledge and understanding, skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in the food service industry. Samuel also benefited from Soft skills and career readiness training that prepared him not only to think creatively and acquire basics skills in entrepreneurship, but also promoted his overall future career performance, career advancement and retention. In April 2022 Sam successfully sat for his NITA grade III government trade test examinations. Through the project’s skills matching approach Samuel eventually managed to secure a placement opportunity at EKA hotel in Nairobi as an intern assisting in food production department. The internship position offers a small monthly stipend which he partly uses to cater for his daily needs, and support his family whenever possible. The hotel management recently approached him with an offer for employment. “My self-esteem is over the roof. I remain grateful for the support I’ve received from Pamoja for transformation that has offered me this new lease of life. My parents and family are also happy and encouraged with my performance. My supervisor is also happy with my work which has motivated me to commence setting some money aside that will help me sponsor myself for NITA grade II government trade test. My dream is to become a professional chef in a five-star hotel and support my family. From now on my life can never be viewed with the same lens again. I encourage my fellow youth to never give up in life, to look out for and explore all available avenues to take up skills training and to always work hard.” Says Samuel Ochieng. Samuel Ochie'ng Samuel Ochieng or Sam, as he is often referred has experienced a fair share of struggles throughout a better part of his life. Through much effort, Sam managed to complete his secondary education in 2018 that came by with much support from the local CDF’s bursary funding. His family could however not afford to support his college education for lack of money and competing family demands. For 4 years, he struggled to make ends meet and alleviate the challenges of his life. Your Support was an ‘Eye Opener’ Beline Perry was on-boarded in the skills for jobs program under the Novice Cohort II category at YMCA in January 2022. She is 26-year-old and a second child in a family of 3, Perry and her siblings lost their parents at tender age and were taken in by their grandmother. All through her life, Perry had always strived to work hard in her studies to support her grandmother and her siblings. She had even managed to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Enterprise and Management degree at Egerton University. Things however didn’t turn out as easy as Perri had anticipated, getting a job after her graduation had proved to be a struggle. “Despite making hundreds of applications, no jobs were coming forth which made me feel very discouraged. My grandmother also felt like I wasn’t doing enough.” From her childhood passion in hairdressing, Perri decided to establish a small saloon where she could keep herself busy and to make a little earnings for herself. As her customer base grew, so were their demands. Perri noticed that majority of her clients were in need of beauty services including; makeup application, manicure and pedicure settings. It was then that she learnt of the skills for jobs project in Kisumu. She applied and got enrolled at YMCA. Perri has learnt to express her creativity in the field of beauty therapy. She committed to the 3month technical training to the extent of closing her small business to attend her classes. Perri successfully sat for her NITA grade III, government trade test and has fully embarked on her Salon. She has also offered an employment opportunity to one of her colleagues from YMCA. She currently sponsors her youngest sibling who is a student at Kisumu Polytechnic “I am very grateful to Pamoja for Transformation and her donor for the opportunity to study and the gift of Hair Drier machine. I now have skills in Beauty Therapy and equipped to offer competent services to my clients. I would wish to tell my fellow young people not to wait to be employed. Employment opportunities are quite few, but with our own hands and hard work, we can contribute to create such opportunities for ourselves and others” Beline Perri Hillary Kawa Sore “I initially registered for this training in 2019. However, my family’s financial situation could not support my school fees and soon after I was forced to drop off. I relocated to Nairobi and landed a job in an electrical installation company as an apprentice. It wasn’t easy for me, since various contractors would demand for a certificate which I did not have. I was eventually fired from my work place because I did not have any formal certification. I am very grateful for this opportunity that has been granted to me. I will finally acquire certification in electrical installation” Says Hillary Kawa Sore of Bungoma North Technical and Vocational College

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< Back Entrepreneurship Skills & Business Development (Phase 1) Location Western, Coast, Nairobi Location Skills & Enterprise Development Deepening income inequality and entrenched regional disparities hinder inclusive economic growth. Youth unemployment rate in Kenya averages at 35%. Poor youth and women lack skills and access to capital and markets... Kisumu, Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya, and Bungoma. Marking Progress, Growing the Future: P4T Concludes Phase One of Land Access Initiative and Launches Next Chapter View Project Kakamega Outcome Harvesting for the Enhancing Good Governance in Kisumu and Bungoma Counties View Project Nairobi County, Kenya Official Handover of the Kenya’s First E-Mobility Curriculum for Electric Vehicle Assistant Technician (NSC II – KNQF Level 3) View Project Kisumu and Nairobi Counties Celebrating Peace in Action: IDP 2025 Commemorations Unite Kisumu and Nairobi in Shared Vision for National Cohesion View Project Anchor 1 Previous Next