Students benefit as Shofco rolls out various community services in Mombasa

Over 500 Form One student in Mombasa County have a reason to smile after Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) Dr. Kennedy Odede offered them scholarships to kick off their academic journey.

The students, mainly drawn from Changamwe, Likoni, Mvita and Jomvu sub-counties will proceed to high school stress-free following SHOFCO’s scholarship that has reached over 2000 students countrywide.

Speaking in Jomvu Constituency where he donated 30 computers, Dr. Odede reiterated his commitment to support bright but needy students to access education.

“There is no better way to fight poverty than education. In all we do, we must prioritise the education of our children for the sake of their future,” Dr Odede said.

He added:

“I love this Ajira Digital program being offered by the government and that is why we are here to support it today. It has changed the lives of many youth and most of them are now earning money in dollars because of this program.”

At the same time, the SHOFCO boss said the organisation has so far enrolled over 4000 youth to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Mombasa County.

“As you complain about what the government should do for you, you must also create opportunities for our children. That is why I believe in TVET training which can easily open opportunities for the youth.

“We also have women empowerment programs where our mothers and young women will be supported with grants to start or boost their businesses,” Dr. Odede stated.

Dr. Odede was joined by Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir in Jomvu Sub-county who lauded SHOFCO’s programs in the county, saying they have touched many lives.

“We are here to support and partner with SHOFCO for the betterment of the people of Mombasa. We are happy and grateful for what he has done for us across our five sub-counties,” Governor Nassir said.

Jomvu Member of Parliament Badi Twalib thanked SHOFCO for donating 30 computers to support the Ajira Digital program being spearheaded by his office.

“The money that we would use to buy computers will now be directed elsewhere. Every leader needs support from organisations like SHOFCO whose mission is to change the lives of our people, especially the youth,” Badi said.

The MP said the organisation has initiated several projects in his constituency which include building community halls, digging boreholes, water distribution, TVET sponsorship and women empowerment programs.

“I’m glad that SHOFCO has made Jomvu its headquarters in Mombasa and everything they do, starts here. As the area MP, I’m going to work with SHOFCO and Dr. Odede to address the challenges facing our people,” Badi stated.

During his Mombasa tour, the SHOFCO founder also launched two community centres in Changamwe and Likoni sub-counties built for Sh60 million and will be used to deliver community services.

“These community centres will help the community in various ways. We have libraries, women empowerment programs and gender-based response and prevention offices.

“The centres also have community halls where area residents can use for functions such as weddings and meetings,” Dr Odede said.

SHOFCO is at the forefront of addressing challenges facing young people across Kenya, especially those in the informal settlements and semi-rural areas across Kenya.

Through its Youth Voice program, the organisation is seeking to reach two million youth across Kenya in the next five years through various courses that include sports, financial access, training, job placements, and mental health sessions.

“Under our Youth Voice program, young people in the informal settlements will have access to dignified work by participating in job training and will be connected to employment opportunities, bursaries and financial literacy education.

“Youth entrepreneurs will network and develop partnerships to launch their businesses, and all young people will have access to ongoing mentorship to continue on their journey of economic empowerment,” Shofco Founder and CEO Dr Kennedy Odede said.

So far, the program has reached over 100,000 youth in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kakamega, and Siaya counties.

“The project will enhance access to financial services for young people in informal settlements through SHOFCO initiatives that provide credit access and financial literacy education.

“These platforms will offer youth-focused financial products tailored to their unique needs, including loans for school fees, business start-ups and investment capital,” Dr Odede added.