USAID Tumikia Mtoto Project Graduates its 4th Cohort in Technical and Vocational Training

The 4th DREAMS Construction Skills Graduation Ceremony, a collaboration between USAID’s Tumikia Mtoto Project, World Vision and Family Group Foundation has graduated 78 young women who have comprehensively trained on plumbing and electrical skills.

The DREAMS program, provides hands-on, six-month training for young women aged 18-24 years in the construction industry. This initiative, supported through USAID’s Tumikia Mtoto project, is designed to equip participants with marketable skills while addressing their vulnerabilities, including risks related to HIV, gender-based violence, and economic insecurity.

Speaking today in Nairobi, Joseph Motari, Principal Secretary, State Department for Social Labour and Senior Citizen Affairs lauded the graduands for their resilience and rising up against all odds to achieve such skills.

“Congratulations to all the graduates for their hard work, resilience, and determination. These skills go beyond the normal classroom training. I am elated that over 80 per cent of you have secured jobs or launched your own businesses,” he said.

Motari assured the partners that the government is committed and will continuously support such programs which result in direct employment of the young people of our nation. He added the fact that all trainees are accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and the National Construction Authority (NCA) makes them stand better chances of landing jobs.

“The government will always seek to partner with the private sector in order to reduce the unemployment gap which threatens the future generations. In addition, we will also seek to find job opportunities from abroad especially for our skilled labour,” he averred.

Speaking on the same James Mukabi, Chief of Party, USAID Tumikia Mtoto Project noted that over 400 girls have been trained and graduated under the DREAMS program.

“We train young women for a period of three months. This is subsequently followed by a three-month internship period which ensures the trainees interact and get hands-on-skills from their internship sites,” he said.

He added that the girls are fully equipped with start-up toolkits which ensure a seamless blend during the internship and later job opportunities.

Nancy Njau, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Family Bank reiterated the bank’s commitment in supporting and partnering with like-minded organisations engaged in life transforming projects.

Additionally, Njau assured all the partners and graduands the bank is looking forward to increased funding in the program. This is in turn would lead to increased trainees in the project.

Paul Lilan, Board Chairperson, World Vision Kenya, he was honored to witness and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the young women who have defied expectations and rewritten their life stories.

“These young women, from Nairobi and Kiambu Counties are breaking barriers in industries long dominated by men, and their courage and determination are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future,” he said in a statement read by Lilian Mageto, Director, Resource and Acquisition, World Vision Kenya.

While sharing a story one extraordinary woman, Lilan noted that accomplishing our goals and attaining success should not only be done by doing something for you to achieve it. You should also have the burning desire to reach for it: the DREAM to reach success.

“Meet Anne. She is one of the graduates today. She grew up in Babadogo Laundry area, where opportunities for young women were limited, and societal pressures often pushed them into difficult circumstances. As a single mother of two, Anne had to leave school in Form Three due to peer pressure, and at the age of 16, she got married and soon found out she was pregnant. Her life took a difficult turn when her father, the family’s breadwinner, was injured and unable to work. To help support her family, Anne and her mother took on manual labor at construction sites,” he narrated.

Anne’s life changed when she met a DREAMS mentor through the USAID Tumikia Mtoto program. Recognizing her vulnerabilities, she was enrolled in the program and received financial training, life skills, and vocational training in plumbing. After earning her certification, she now works as a certified plumber despite the challenges of working in a male-dominated field.

Today, Anne is able to support her children, pay for their education, and save for the future. Anne thanked USAID Tumikia Mtoto, DREAMS, Family Group Foundation, and World Vision for transforming her life. Anne’s story is one of resilience and determination, and it reminds us that when women are given the tools to succeed, they will rise to any challenge.

Furthermore, he expressed his deepest gratitude to their donors, PEPFAR and USAID, for making the transformative program a reality.