DARAJA
A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
DARAJA
A LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Daraja is a 13-week program that seeks to empower Form 4 graduates with essential life skills to prepare them for life outside of school. It’s delivered through leadership training, mentorship and job shadowing placements.
​
There has been a drastic change over the years in what employers look for when hiring people. The job market has also changed and is increasingly competitive. A 2010 study found that 75% of long-term job success depends on people skills, while only 25% is dependent on technical knowledge. This is even more prevalent in our continent as shown by a survey taken by experts in 36 African countries about the major challenges youth face in labor markets. They cited a 54% mismatch of skills between what job seekers have to offer and what employers required.
​​
Our main aim is two-fold. We want to help address this issue so that students are more prepared for both higher education and the job market. We also want to help them discover their unique talents and skills which they can translate into their dream careers.
​
The program will officially run for 13-weeks, during which students will participate in learning sessions in some of the following areas: public speaking/debate, finances, entrepreneurship, character development, relationships, computer training, volunteering, cooking/baking and more. Towards the end of the program, students will be connected with a job-shadowing opportunities and will provide feedback on their experiences.
*As we expand our programs, we intend to offer Daraja Phase 2 in which students will enroll in specific apprenticeships or trainings with partnering individuals and organizations, based on their interests. We will also conduct a career fair and panel for high schoolers so that they are sensitized earlier regarding their career interests and setting the right goals to achieve that.*
IMARA MENTORSHIP
DISCIPLESHIP AND MENTORSHIP
Imara Mentorship encompasses several programs within IY. Two of these programs are conducted within area schools and one is conducted at the Imarika Youth Center offices. Our aim in schools is to reach students with the gospel of Jesus Christ, to disciple them further in a personal relationship with Him and to mentor them through day-to-day issues they are facing as young people and students. This teaching and discipleship takes place through Bible lessons, games, icebreakers and small group discussions. We have partnered with Biblica specifically for curriculum (Reach 4 Life), which takes youth through small group study in the basics of the Christian faith, growing in faith, helps to address and discuss many challenging questions and then challenges to go out and share that faith.
Currently, we also mentor 40-50 Class 8 boys and girls at our offices each week. These sessions are all based in Scripture, but is more geared towards helping them grow in character, answering life questions, and addressing challenges such as peer pressure, family issues, female health, character, Biblical manhood, etc.
LULU
ABUSE AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND HEALING
The Lulu program is aimed at educating youth, families, schools and the larger community on issues of abuse—preventing abuse, responding to reports of abuse, and healing holistically from the trauma of abuse. Through Lulu, we also educate both boys and girls on female health, hygiene, pregnancy, stopping gender violence, respect for both genders, pads distribution, personal safety, and much more.
The orphans and vulnerable children we work with within the Kibera informal settlement have experienced and/or witnesses many forms of abuse. Most, if not all, have suffered from neglect in some form. Many others have been sexually harassed, molested, raped, beaten, or trafficked in sex or labor. These abuses are often protected or ignored through ignorance in the community about children’s rights, human rights and preventative measures.
According to a UNICEF survey for Kenya, levels of violence prior to age 18 as reported by 18 to 24 year olds indicates that during childhood, 32% of females and 18% of males experience sexual violence. Mothers and fathers were the most common perpetrator of physical violence by family members. For males, teachers followed by police were the most common perpetrators of physical violence by an authority figure. Emotional abuse for both females and males was most often inflicted by parents.
​
Most of these cases of abuse go unreported. Because of this, most survivors also do not receive any physical or mental help in overcoming the trauma. Failure to address these abuses leads youth to act out and harm themselves through drugs, sexual relationships and suicide among other things.
