Over 70 students at the St Michael Secondary School which forms part of the Mukuru Promotion Centre, Nairobi, last Friday interacted with Airtel staff as part of the company’s Mentorship programme. The form one students asked questions on careers and social issues.
Airtel staff offered insightful information to help the students better define their career paths as well as enhance their skills to become better citizens. Launched in October 2014, the Airtel Mentorship Programme aims to encourage and support children in their education journey by offering personal experiences of success and guidance on how to choose careers.
So far, Airtel employees have mentored students at Jesus Love Ministry in Eldoret, Good Samaritan Orphans and destitute Centre, Mukuru Promotion Centre- St. Bakhita Primary School and Mogra Star Academy.
Mukuru Promotion Centre is incorporated as a Charitable Trust that started operations in 1985 as a collaborative effort between the Sisters of Mercy, and the Missionaries of Africa in Our lady Queen of Peace Parish, Nairobi South B. The Centre is located near the Mukuru slum which is home to over 600,000 people who live in abject poverty.
Speaking during the mentorship programme, Mr Gilbert Njeru, the school principal, expressed his gratitude at the support offered by the Airtel staff.
“This gesture will go a long way in encouraging the students to perform better in their academics as well as give them hope to pursue careers that will help them improve life in their communities,” he said.
Airtel CEO Adil El Youssefi lauded the staff’s commitment to offering mentorship to the students as is embodied in the Airtel Spirit, which encourages staff to engage in sustainable community development initiatives that create lasting impact on life beyond monetary support.
“As Airtel we have greatly invested in community capacity building through the Airtel Spirit which focuses on empowering, enabling and unlocking the potential of future generations to succeed and create wealth – social, financial and health,” Adil said.
Currently the Mukuru Promotion Centre runs various projects including four primary schools for over 5,000 children, a secondary school, a rehabilitation centre for up to 60 street boys, a medical clinic with a HIV/AIDS testing centre attached, a community based health care program, a skills training centre for over 100 students, and a sponsorship programme to secondary schools for more than 200 children.
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