Kenya has a relatively youthful population with about 75% of its population aged between 18 and 35. However, a large percentage of this population is unemployed and feel marginalized in terms of access to opportunities, representation and participation. According to the Kenya Comprehensive Poverty Analysis Report published in July 2020, 48% of young people (6.4 million people) are multidimensionally poor with the percentages being higher for young women. Deprivation in housing, education and nutrition are the three leading contributors to this poverty.

In order to address these three major deprivations leading to poverty among the youth, the Akombe Foundation focuses on education. The Foundation seeks to mentor young people in the community on various aspects of education. This is not only be limited to school/college going age sections of the communities where we operate, but also provision of skills such as financial literacy at various levels targeting each group as needed. For instance, younger (without an income), populations are introduced to the understanding of budgets while sections of the community with incomes get a more hands-on guide to budget planning.

 

Among the school/college going age, the Foundation introduces them to the various paths they can take in terms of attaining an education, and skills that can make them competitive in the job market. This is done through partnering with other organizations in this space to connect students with the organization which would provide among others; college application processes and financial aid, career paths, vocational trainings, and test taking.

 

Tied to education is career development. Having the education and skills only goes so far in one’s career development. Mentoring the youth on careers will provide them with information in choosing their careers and furthering their current ones. The Foundation is full of diverse experience that the communities will draw from.

 

Alongside our partners, we will utilize this experience to provide information to school/college age individuals about the opportunities they have. The latter will be done through organizing group presentations to students by the Foundation’s members or guests. For the general population (including working students), the organization will provide information and help on:

​

1. resume writing and editing

2. networking

3. job application

4. interviewing skills

5. salary negotiations and

6. career mobility