By Mary Mwendwa
75 students from Shadrack Kimalel mixed Secondary school were recently awarded certificates after undergoing a mentorship program by Rotary Club of Kilimani Alfajiri.
Located close to the sprawling Kibera informal settlement, the school has a high population of students who reside in Kibera.
Charity Tsindoli, a form four student at the school who went through the training, owes a lot of gratitude towards the project. “We started being trained in April 2016 on topics like career choices, purpose in life, identity and opportunities.”
Tsindoli testifies how her thinking towards life has changed.” I never used to have confidence in myself, I am a prefect in the school and whenever other students talked bad about me I could really feel bad, now I know my purpose and I have learned that what other people think of me does not define who I am.” A jovial Tsindoli narrates.
Tsindoli further says that she has already decided what she wants to undertake as a career, she says she wants to study tourism at a university level.
Victoria Kimotho, President, Rotary Club Kilimani Alfajiri noted how they had witnessed a big change among the students after the training.” I must say that most of these students had low self-esteem, most of the come from Kibera and they were thinking that where they come from can define who they are. It has been a process and we have seen them transform gradually.” A happy Kimotho
Beatrice Otieno, principal, Shadrack Kimalel mixed secondary school thanked Rotary Club of Kilimani Alfajiri for their support towards the mentorship program. “Many of these pupils really need mentorship, through the training many now have identified their areas of career and are very confident in what they do. They express themselves free and I believe we are headed the right way.”
“ As a school, we have many other challenges but through this mentorship training, we have seen a complete transformation among the students. Most of these students come from poor backgrounds and at times have low self-esteem.”Mrs.Otieno concludes.
