The first graduates of young men under the boy child rehabilitation programme in Ngorano, Nyeri County will get jobs, Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has said.
Dorcas visited the young men who underwent rehabilitation after battling drug, alcohol and substance abuse before they volunteered to reform.
According to the Second lady, the graduates who underwent a three-month rehabilitation programme have remarkably transformed and are ready for employment.
“Their remarkable transformation is inspiring. These young men have not only embraced sobriety but we are working on skilling and preparing them for job opportunities,” Dorcas said.
She lauded the reformed young men for accepting change adding that they will positively contribute to the country’s economy.
“It was truly heartwarming to see the eagerness expressed by these men to go back to school, learn new skills, and contribute to the economy through productive activity,” she said.
“We are collaborating with government institutions that have been overlooked and underutilized, and breathing new life into them. Together, we are on a journey to restore thousands of our boy children from addiction, and offer them a chance at a dignified and promising future.”
Dorcas added that the government is in the process of setting up a health reform centre that will contain several facilities and activities.
“We are in the early stages of establishing a rehabilitation health village, drawing from the best practices worldwide; an initiative that will encompass sporting facilities, farming projects, a digital hub, health services, boarding facilities, vocational training, offering a holistic approach to rehabilitation,” she said.
Speaking at Kiandutu slums in Thika, Dorcas committed to giving jobs to youths undergoing rehabilitation from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse.
She said she won't rest until all youths confined in drugs and substance abuse get jobs.
"Na nyinyi watoto wangu wacha niwahakikishie, sitalala mpaka mpate kazi," she said.
She said society has negative perceptions of youths while they might be facing several life challenges.
"Sometimes there's no water, no soap but when they look at you they think you are a drunkard, thief, or a bhang smoker. But they should know that there is a God who saves. And he shall save you too," Dorcas said.
She reiterated that society needs to embrace drug addicts and treat them as part of the larger community.
