Hands-On Skills Keeping Juja Learners From Drugs, Illicit Behaviours During Holiday
Jamii Products Ltd proprietor Charles Kimani speaking at Witeithie in Juja, Kiambu County
By John Kamau
Learners in Juja sub county, Kiambu County are being trained on diverse hands-on skills as a way of keeping them from anti-social vices like drugs and substance abuse, illicit brews and petty crimes during this holiday.
Among the skills being imparted to them include Khaki products making, branding and marketing which is taunted to go a long way in shaping their lives by making them more productive in the society.
With the skills acquired, they will be able to make khaki packaging bags used to package food items such as sugar, rice, cooking flour, gift bags, book covers, and envelopes among other items.
The programme introduced by Jamii Technical Training Institute based in Witeithie Sub-county also seeks to empower the youngsters and youths from humble backgrounds to be able to fend for themselves and support their families.
Charles Kimani, the proprietor and director of the institution noted with concern the surge in petty crimes which is being perpetrated by the youngsters living in the peri-urban region due to idleness. He quipped that engaging them in socio-economic empowerment is the only way to deal with the menace.
The Director also pointed out that school girls usually fall prey to predators while on holidays noting that the programme is keeping them engaged and saving them from menaces including early pregnancies which usually dent their education journey.
“This is the best way to protect the children from predators and other vices that can ruin their education and their lives. We are doing this for free as a way of giving back to the society and we believe if mentored and empowered well, the kids will become productive members of the society,” Kimani said.
Kimani noted that the short course corresponds with the current curriculum, CBC, as it puts more emphasis on imparting hands-on skills while while training learners on important life-lessons such as environment conservation through recycling.
He plans to engage the Ministry of Education to have the Khaki products making skills incorporated in the CBC saying it’s imperative in engaging young learners in vital life-long skills.
The Director called on parents to allow their children join the institution for the free course as a sure way of keeping drugs, alcohol and illicit behaviours at bay.
“We are pleading with parents not to let their children idle in the homes or villages. They can join us and benefit and also network with other learners,” he said.
Learners led by Lucy Wanjiru, a form two student at Gachororo secondary school hailed the programme as a transformative once saying that they are acquiring skills which they can employ to generate income and help their struggling families.
Wanjiru rallied her peers to consider joining the institution instead of being idle which exposes to immoral and anti-social behaviours.
“Instead of idling in the village I decided to join this institution through a friend and the skills I’ve acquired here are important and they’ve broadened my mindset. This is a noble opportunity that other learners should seize and get a skill,” Wanjiru said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Samuel Njenga who pleaded with other youngsters to pursue life-skills which are crucial in ending the unemployment crisis that has significantly affected youths in the country.
He noted that with the proper skills, one can initiate their own income generating ventures and transit from job seekers to employers.
Other beneficiaries led by Teresia Wairimu and Mary Wanjiru termed the skills as a shot-in-the-arm noting that they can easily fend for their families after struggling with joblessness for long. They called on peers to embrace short and hands-on skills and avoid over reliance on white-collar jobs.
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