Real People Partners with Kenya Institute of Management to Launch Youth entrepreneurship Program

Credit-only microfinance institution, Real People has today in partnership with the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) launched a youth entrepreneurship programme and Scholarship targeting the vulnerable from children homes.

Dubbed ‘Guardian Scholarship Programme’, the programme which will be administered by KIM and funded by both the Institute and Real People Limited will target needy children, especially those currently enrolled at various children’s homes with the ultimate goal of – provision of Diploma courses, a move that is expected to increase access to education especially to children above the age of 18 years that are expelled from children homes.

Launching the programme, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi noted: “As a Ministry, we are indeed happy to see contribution by the private sector towards the education sector. The importance of education cannot be over-emphasized. At the individual level, education offers the learners an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that are critical to ensuring that people are able to participate competitively in all sectors of life.”

According to UNICEF statistics, more than half of newly released orphans after the age of 18 years are recruited to a life of crime or prostitution or life in the streets while 30 per cent become addicted to alcohol and other drugs during their first year of living independently exposing them to risks of STI’s and AIDS epidemic coupled with early pregnancies.

“This is a significant milestone in the growth and development of our educational sector in the country. We have so far made a commitment of Kshs 5 million that will go towards kicking off the programme with 33 orphaned children and with KIM’s educational infrastructure, our young ones will get enrolled for a Diploma in Management so as to start businesses and grow our economy,” noted Daniel Ohonde, Chief Executive Officer, Real People East Africa.

He added: “The programme is open for all children homes in the country and will have periodic intakes level so as to enable all children have better access to education so as to improve their economic livelihoods.”

On his part, Kenya Institute of Management, Managing Director, Dr. David Muturi noted, “We are delighted to be partnering with like-minded organization that equally appreciates that children should get access to basic education so as to reduce the numbers of orphaned children in the streets. We have previously sponsored other leadership programmes and so with this scholarship programme, we will be consolidating all these efforts for maximum benefits.”

UNICEF reports further cites that many of these children move in with relatives after the deaths of their parents, are often put to work, denied the opportunity to attend school, and suffer physical abuse. Many run away or are forced out of the house. These children turn to the street or an orphanage for refuge.