By Tsozungu Kombe
Imarika Foundation, an Organization of Imarika Sacco Limited in Kilifi County, has awarded scholarships to students in Technical and Vocational Training Colleges in a Pilot program meant to enable them pursue technical education training in the country.
The scholarship will cater for students’ fees for a year.
Speaking during the official launch of the pilot program for scholarships at Imarika Sacco Conference Hall in Kilifi town recently, Imarika Foundation Executive Director, Mr. Peter Angore said the foundation identified 29 needy students pursuing short term skill based courses.
The short term skill based courses include Carpentry, Masonry, Hair dressing, Tailoring, Mechanics, Plumbing and Wiring Installation among others.
He revealed that more than 50 youths from technical and vocational training colleges applied for the scholarships.
The 29 beneficiaries have been drawn from the seven sub counties in Kilifi County which are: Kaloleni, Rabai, Magarini, Kilifi North, Ganze, Malindi and Kilifi South.
Angore stated that the foundation sponsors students to pursue short term skill based courses to enable them acquire skills and create self-employment opportunities in the future.
‘Youths should cooperate fully and embrace technical education by joining TVETs in large numbers. Due to lack of skills, many youths are jobless therefore joining TVETs is the way to go.’ he added.
He revealed that giving back to the community in form of scholarships is a form of the foundation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
‘Study extra hard to achieve good results in your final examinations. Your performance will determine whether or not you qualify for future scholarships,’ Angore told the beneficiaries.
He urged parents to encourage their children who completed Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) to enroll into Technical and Vocational Training colleges to secure various skills.
He also disclosed that Technical Training Institutions play an important role in preparing the youth for self-employment in the future.
The chief guest Ms. Jacqueline Jumbe, who represented the Imarika Sacco Limited Board of Directors chairman Mr. Renson Ndoro, advised the scholarship beneficiaries to concentrate on their studies and to be disciplined.
Jumbe, who is also the vice chairperson of the foundation, asked the students to decide early on the courses they want to pursue so as to avoid early confusion.
Imarika Sacco limited Human Resource Officer Ms. Catherine Chome, who represented Imarika Sacco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. George Ngala, urged students to choose Courses which are relevant to the job market.
She also advised them to attend their courses regularly to enable them to produce good results in their final national examinations.
Moving the Goalpost Organization director Ms. Dorcas Amakobe asked students to be keen enough while choosing their career choices so as to pursue their courses more efficiently and effectively.
