PS State Department of Social Protection & Snr Citizen Affairs Joseph Motari (C), Family Bank CEO Nancy Njau (L), Board Chair Lazarus Muema, World Vision KE Chair Dr. David Githanga & The Family Group Foundation Board Trustee Muema Muindi join Irene and Dorin, two of the 78 beneficiaries of the USAID Tumikia Mtoto Project trained in vocational and technical skills during the graduation ceremony.
The Family Group Foundation has proudly graduated the fifth cohort of young women who have completed technical and vocational training in electrical and plumbing skills. This milestone marks the successful training of 600 beneficiaries through the program.
Implemented by World Vision Kenya, the initiative offers hands-on training to young women aged 18-24 years from Nairobi and Kiambu Counties. Over the course of six months, participants gain practical skills aimed at enhancing their employability in the construction industry.
During the graduation ceremony for 78 new graduates, the Principal Secretary State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs praised the USAID Tumikia Mtoto project for its significant role in fostering job creation, particularly for women. He noted, “The government appreciates programmes geared towards the welfare and rights of the child from all social environments as well as establishing mitigation measures to assist children in emerging situations and poverty. Giving skills to these young people is very impressive. The Family Group Foundation and its partners have done a commendable job to uplift these vulnerable children to a place where they can sustain themselves.”
The program addresses multiple vulnerabilities faced by young women, including risks related to HIV, gender-based violence, and economic instability. Its overarching goal is to strengthen households’ ability to care for and protect orphans and vulnerable children.
PS State Department for Social Protection & Snr Citizen Affairs Joseph Motari , Family Bank CEO Nancy Njau engage with Ivvone Obuka, a plumbing beneficiary of the USAID Tumikia Mtoto Project during the graduation ceremony of 78 beneficiaries trained in vocational and technical skills. Looking on is World Vision KE Resource Acquisition Manager Dr. Lilian Orina.
Family Bank CEO Nancy Njau emphasized the importance of investing in women, stating, “As a Bank, we believe that an investment in women ensures that we close gender equality gaps, avail opportunities for growth, and create a conducive environment for women to thrive. With an investment of 90 million through our social investment arm, we are pleased that this shared value initiative has seen over 80 per cent of these young women transition to the job market.”
In addition to technical training, graduates receive accreditation from the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and the National Construction Authority (NCA). They also benefit from construction starter toolkits, financial training, and education in sexual and reproductive health and soft skills such as confidence building and public speaking.
Dr. David Githanga, Chair of World Vision Kenya, highlighted the program’s impact: “Our vision is simple yet profound: to see every child experience life in all its fullness, and for every heart to possess the will to make it so. You will agree with me that this is one of the ways to celebrate this milestone: empowering more youth to access life-saving skills and enabling them to build better lives. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our donors, PEPFAR and USAID, for making this transformative program a reality. Through your generous funding and unwavering support, we have equipped these young women with essential skills and empowered them with the resilience and confidence to rise above life’s challenges.”
The program is currently training its sixth cohort, consisting of 86 young women from Kangemi, Kihara, and Njiru.