The Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) is not just about four walls and a roof, it is about employment creation. From jua kali artisans fabricating doors and windows to mama mandazi na chai, the construction site is a job and wealth creation facility like no other.
Affordable Housing Project, , is a lifeline for the Jua Kali artisans, plumbers, electricians, masons, and food vendors, among others, aimed at bolstering the business ecosystem through the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The economic impact of the Programme is expected to raise the GDP from 7 per cent to 14 per cent. It is envisaged that every 1 US dollar invested into the sector will add between 1.5 and 3 US dollars to the economy.
The International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Free Weekend Academy program has come on board to provide the AHP with manpower of skilled personel.
IYF Free Weekend Academy provides Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses at no charge.
Amongst the courses in line with the housing project being provided at the academy is Plumbing, Carpentry and Electrical Installation.
Gideon Fanuel Ngala a pioneer of the IYF Free Weekend Academy graduated in plumbing after first attaining a certificate in computer packages.
“I stay in Eastlands where there are many buildings and ongoing constructions. With this course in plumbing there are a lot of opportunities including maintenance, repairs or even working in a construction site of upcoming new buildings, ” he said.
Ngala paid a glowing tribute the the academy for offering the youth a chance to further their education saying the skills that he has learnt will go a long way in uppligting his living standards
The Chinese language course is also being taught and given the investments and expertise by firms from China in infrastructural development and even the Affordable Housing Programme.
The Chinese language course will give the graduates an added advantage through the breaking language barriers with the management of Chinese officials running the projects and enabling them in gain employment opportunities and working efficiently with them.
The catering graduates can go on site and use their skills offer food services to workers with affordable lunch, where the initiative will also offer employment opportunities to others.
In reference to the benefits of the food vending services Philis Kanana, a food vendor at the multi-million Nanyuki Affordable Housing Project (AHP), who has been operating for the past nine months, lauds the initiative for transforming the lives of residents where traders have a steady flow of customers from the construction workforce.
Kanana reveals to KNA that since she started working at the project, which sits on 5 acres, her profit has tripled thanks to the AHP initiative.
“I was allowed to construct a hotel here at the AHP site to enable me to cook for construction workers, and it has helped me take care of my grandchildren. I give workers food on debt, which they pay every weekend after receiving their dues,” the 53-year-old notes.
Additionally, Kanana, who is a grandmother of two, notes that initially she operated a kiosk near the AHP project, and with her food vending business she was able to educate her grandchildren.
The government commits to construct affordable and decent houses with a target of 200,000 units annually aimed at creating job opportunities for youth and at the same time providing decent living standards for the low-income earners in the country, besides bridging the housing demand gap.
Over 5000 youths graduated through the program which offers 29 courses including Computer Programing, Beauty & Hairdressing, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Paramedics, Automotive Repair, Camera Operations, Graphic & Design, French, Theology, Carpentry, Music, Artificial Intelligence, Sign Language, Chinese and English.
Others on offer are Fashion & Design, Computer Packages, Camera Operations, Taekwondo, Catering, Korean, Dance, Art, Networking, Driving, Video Editing, UX Design, Mindset Education, News Production, Digital Marketing and Football.
IYF Weekend Academy has been instrumental in providing skills to disadvantaged youths a majority being form 4 leavers who in one way or the other, could not have a chance to further their education due to financial constraints.
The initiative which has adopted a three-month cohort structure, not only equips students with practical skills but also empowers them to contribute positively to their communities and the broader economy.
Since its inception in 2007 IYF Free Academy, has channeled out over 60,000 graduands who have gone out to be important members of the society.
The academy operates on weekends across 3months whereby students pick one course at a time after which they graduate with certificates and the best receive a scholarship to further their education with Mahanaim College as a partner.
The next IYF Free Weekend intake commences on February 22nd, 2025 at the IYF headquarters along Thika Road.
The IYF Free Weekend Academy is a youth empowerment hub, a centre for skills development and enhancing the chance of employability, promote self-employment and entrepreneurship.
The three months certificate course is designed to give the necessary and basic soft skills needed by the youth to become economically dependent on themselves.
The International Youth Fellowship is a non-profit making organization with an objective of Challenge, Change and Cohesion. IYF was established to strengthen the hearts of the youth , giving them confidence and hope to go beyond their limitations and overcome their challenges in life.