By Tony Wafula, Bungoma
Kibabii University in Bungoma County is one of the Kenyan high Institutions that are going to greatly benefit from the one year programme the Kenya- USA global Launchpad initiative (KUGLi) that targets to link youths to the global opportunities and fight climate change.
The area the programme is likely to address includes; climate change crisis, poverty, teenage pregnancies, entrepreneurship and digitalization of the health sector.
Speaking at Kibabii University in Bungoma during the KUGLi summit, Dr. Churchill Saoke, KUGLi project lead, said that the summit is a culmination of intense University based trainings in JKUAT, Great Lakes University of Kisumu and Kibabii University as well as joint trainings with Syracuse University in USA.
Further, Saoke noted that the aim of the programme is to brail the entrepreneurial mindset of young people and trying to in calculate the culture of using entrepreneurship to solve global challenges stating that the project is leveraging on University students as key components of working to solve the challenges that face the world.
Saoke reported that the programme allows youths to connect with global opportunities adding that 131 participants both from Kenya and USA will benefit from the programme.
He underscored the need for the young generation to pick up the opportunities and use them to advance their dreams.
“I call upon all the youths to utilize the available opportunities provided by the USA embassy, national government and county governments,” he added.
Bungoma deputy Governor Pastor Jenipher Mbatiany applauded the U.S Embassy for choosing Kibabii University in the programme saying that the avenue targets to link youths with global opportunities.
The deputy governor highlighted; climate change, poverty and teenage poverty that has gripped the region for long. Mbatiany urged partners to consider initiating similar programmes in the county that will help youths tap into opportunities.
To help address the unemployment crisis and uplift the youth’ talents, Mbatiany reported that Bungoma has put up an Ajiry center that comprises a studio where talented youths can walk in and record their music for free.
Mbatiany said that Ajiry is a web-based application that will provide job seekers and employers to connect and network.
However, Mbatiany noted that the center will provide a platform for job seekers and employers to connect and network effortlessly.
“This platform allows employers to offer short term contracts or employment opportunities to the youths,” Mbatiany added.
Mbatiany added that the ajiry website has a feature ‘my hustle’ which allows users to showcase their talents and sell their products online.
The deputy governor called on the youths to put into prudent use of the center.
“The program is geared towards promotion of opportunities that effectively engage young people in work that challenges them to develop skills, gain critical awareness and train mental health,” she said.
Mbatiany pointed out that ajiry program has a combined effort with an aim of contributing to the Kenya Kwanza government’s economic growth.
Lusaka added,” Currently, we are in the situation where the young population is greater than the job opportunities, therefore the ajiry program will help tackle the crisis,”
In addition, Mbatiany noted that the ajiry center also seeks to impact youths with mental health adding that it is in line with the creation of employment to individuals, small businesses and as starter-up groups.
She said that ajiry will not only create a youth movement but also create an impact across the country.
“My desire as the governor is to uplift the social and economic welfare of the people of Bungoma by creating opportunities that will allow youths to earn a living in a dignified manner,” she said.
Also present at the summit was Drew Giblin, the cultural attaché U.S Embassy among others.
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