Nairobi, November 17th, 2015: Credit-only micro-finance 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 who would have otherwise been left to fend for themselves.
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.
About Real People Kenya Limited
Real People is a credit – only MFI partnering with upper-end micro-enterprises and Small & Medium Enterprises through their growth and development journey. The organization shares its financial expertise to improve lives through responsible lending. It positions itself as a platform for business growth through long-term sustainability and improvement through wealth creation and is currently the largest non-bank MFI in Kenya.
About Kenya Institute of Management
KIM is a professional body and a management trainer with 22 branches countrywide. Over and above its membership and training mandate, KIM has been undertaking various programs to build tomorrow’s leaders as a way of giving back to society. The Institute has made a commitment to train two leaders in each of the 47 county governments as a way of enhancing effective devolved governance. This program, which started this year, will run for two years and it is worth KES. 10M. Further, the Institute has been running the Prefects Leadership Program in high schools for the last five years with an aim of building the next generation of leaders. A total of 700 prefects have been trained on effective leadership skills countrywide. We intend to consolidate these efforts under the Guardian Scholarship Program, seek partners and enhance our reach to the vulnerable in our society.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Elisha Kamau | Hill+Knowlton Strategies | Elisha.Kamau@hkstrategies.co.ke
Brenda Jemutai | Real People Kenya Limited | bjemutai@realpeople.co.ke
Miriam Chege |The Kenya Institute of Management |mchege@kim.ac.ke
4 Responses
Really fascinated by the initiative undertaken by Real people.How I wish I could benefit !
Hi Charles, Thank you very much for commending our actions towards our Corporate Social Responsibility programme-The Guardian Scholarship Programme.
I wish all organisations would take CSR seriously to boost economic growth .The initative by KIM and REAL PEOPLE is worth its course.
I am one of the kim students and am unable to complete my studies due to lack of enough funds to pay for my fees. I would like to request all the well wishers to help me in completing my studies and i believe and pray that God will bless the real people organization.
My number is 0708658881