By S, KNA
The International Youth Fellowship (IYF) held its graduation ceremony for its 5th cohort of free Weekend Academy with a call to graduates to turn their skills into income earning opportunities.
The colourful event took place at IYF center in Nyeri town where over 100 youths graduated with certificates in hospitality, cosmetology, hair dressing, fashion and design, languages and carpentry.
A number of the graduates also received certificates in music, mechanics, AI, digital marketing and Mindset Education.
The Chief Guest during the event, Bridget Martha, an Advocate in Human Capital Development, termed the training a remarkable milestone and a celebration for completion of a personal and professional journey for the individual graduates.
She underscored the need for continuous skilling in young people and challenged those who had passed through the training to turn what they had learnt into a means of earning a livelihood and empowering others.
“The real turning point is not in how many certificates you hold, but in how deeply you understand your capacity. Skills are powerful, but when applied purposefully, they become transformative,” remarked Martha, an Advocate in Human Capital Development
In addition, Martha encouraged the graduands to look beyond credentials and focus on how they can apply their unique strengths, experiences, and training to create sustainable livelihoods and positive change, especially given the alarming shortage of employment opportunities in the country.
She challenged them to shift their mindset from qualification to active contribution to the labour market for economic growth and development.
Additionally, she underscored the importance of embracing digital technologies, not only to stay current but also as tools for earning income and building sustainable careers in the modern digital economy which is facing threat from Artificial Intelligence.
“With a strong foundation laid, the graduates can now step forward not just as job seekers, but as solution builders. The Lord will bless the work of your hands,” she said while drawing reference from Deuteronomy 28:12.
On her part Nyeri County Director for Youth and Sports, Monica Thumbi, singled out a number of opportunities available for the youth being offered in the county and urged young people to take advantage of them.
Thumbi cited Wezesha Empowerment Programs, Access to Government Opportunities (AGPO), Capacity Building on various Skills, Sports development, youth mentorship and Coaching on Life Skills as some of the opportunities available for young people in the county.
She challenged young people to take advantage of the opportunities to help them in coming up with income generating opportunities instead of waiting for scarce formal jobs.
In addition Thumbi lauded the organizers of the event for creating a training platform for young people and called upon the beneficiaries to utilize their expertise in changing their lives and the world around them.
“I applaud the great efforts by IYF for the benefit of the youth which is transformative and that has impacted positively through their economic and improved livelihood. I also acknowledge the hard work, resilience and commitment of those who have successfully graduated through this training. Your journey is just beginning, and the future is yours to shape.” She pointed out.
The brains behind IYF was Rev. Dr. Ock Soo Park who also founded the Good News in Mission South Korea in 2001.
IYF was established as an international NGO with the objective of raising leaders through youth education, activities and offering realistic solutions to problems in the global village.