The need: School dropout is very tempting for young refugees. Due to their advanced ages, we fear that there will be a generation of uneducated people who lose interest. Some simply have no financial means to pursue their education.

There is much need for training youth, building character, self-esteem and confidence, in a positive environment. This takes place through creative training events, workshops and mentorship. By doing so, we reach many low-income families and youth alike. Training shows young children and young adults that they can make good choices through positive encounters that will lead them to live out successful lives.

Approaches: The approach in training is twofold: Firstly, we carry out interactive discussions, enabling every participant to talk and contribute. This approach engenders a sense of ownership and responsibility amongst participants. Secondly, we encourage participants to share their stories, which contributes to healing their wounds and trauma caused by war. An experienced trainer facilitates the workshop

Activities already carried out:

Since January 2017 I (Amos Semuzima) took the initiative to train young Congolese refugees investing in them leadership to ensure that the future generation is equipped with skills enabling them to become useful to society and also give them all knowledge of accountability by using their strengths for positive management. This was done after a survey which was done in different Congolese churches. I was astonished to see how young people live carelessly in a society that differs from their own in all domains (culturally, socially, spiritually and financially). I felt I should not keep silent in the face of such a challenging situation. I therefore conducted some workshops in locations within Nairobi and Kajiado counties (Umoja, Kayole, Kasarani, Githurai, Kitengela and Rongai). The workshops took two days in each location. They were especially useful in raising awareness to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. The workshops contributed to many significant outcomes, although funding these activities was highly challenging.

Young Ladies:

Among the Congolese youth refugees there is a group of young ladies who suffer most the culture’ consequences.

Because of the inequality amongst African culture if not worldwide, young women continue to experience unequal access to education and skills development; so i took the initiative to train them as they are the most vulnerable in our society It was a way of awareness and teach them know their rights

Some of their challenges:

– Marriage at earlier age

– Unwanted pregnancies and implications i immorality due to poverty

– Dropping from schools at higher percentage comparing to boys

And many others

Reason for special help and care.

Impact: Participants gained awareness of their daily challenges; strategies for protecting and improving their lives, identifying their skills, and using them for the benefit of others and for improving their environment, working hard to earn a living, and fulfilling their responsibilities.

Planned courses:

• • Spiritual foundation, youth conduct, values and self-esteem must be taught to avoid misconduct and misbehavior
  • Trauma healing and counseling
  • Stewardship and integrity
  • Effects of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS
  • Sexual relationship outside marriage and unplanned pregnancies for young ladies
  • The issue of technology and its effect on youth psychologically and spiritually
  • Strategies for countering current problems of youth: School dropout, sexual immorality, drug abuse, glue sniffing, juvenile delinquency, gangs
  • Training youth about micro-finances to do small business, helping them overcome laziness – a major factor in poverty
  • Creating small business as an income generating activity
  • Talents: boosting their talents especially in music (keyboard, guitar and drum), not only as a way of getting jobs but also to enhance and improve their talents/skills for the benefit of many.