The Story

Kenya is a country of the youth according to the 2019 Population and Census results which shows that 75% of the 47.6 million population is under the age of 35 according to the 2019 national census. The youth aged the ages of 14 to 18 constitutes about 26 % of the total population, and are actively in high school and entering the labour market. Unfortunately unemployment in Kenya today, stands at 40%, and of this 70% are the unemployed are youth. The World Bank estimates that approximately 1000,000 youth manage to be absorbed into the labor market each year, but only a paltry 50,000 manage to secure employment in the professional sectors after school. The rest don’t have the necessary appraisals to innovate and create jobs away from the formal sector.  Not surprisingly, the high level of unemployment has been blamed for the vicious cycle of poverty in homes, escalating incidents of, delinquency, crime and insecurity.  

According to other studies, there is a major mismatch between the theoretical skill-set imparted on young learners at their respective schools, and industry demands in terms of practical competencies after school. This is attributed to inadequate information, guidance and leadership which can complicate lives of learners both in and after school. It is also well understood that children are born with talents, skills and creativity that can be natured and developed. The school tests are not always a true measure of the ability of young people.

Majority of Youth, particularly in rural and under resourced schools have inadequate or completely lack access to opportunities, unaware of unlimited possibilities and have not develop their full potentials owing to number of factors, including but not limited to lack of and inadequate exposure, inadequate personal development, inadequate information on careers, inadequate guidance on innovation, inadequate guidance on development of talents, and inadequate peer networking opportunities.. There is need to bridge the mentorship divide among underserved and deserving youth and the best point of entry is in high school when the world of possibilities, potentials and opportunities begins to open up

It is this gap that Guide project seeks to remedy. This requires a long term holistic approach - there can be no shortcuts. This innovative initiative seeks to bridge the missing links that exist among high school youth using the school as a resource Centre. In this, the youth will come out as empowered citizens ready to improve their lives and that of their communities.