For Raymond Oliech, 28, life was once a daily struggle with limited opportunities and an uncertain future. Growing up in Homa Bay County, he dreamt of building a stable future after seeing people around him succeed in different trades.
He watched welders make chairs, tables and gates and knew that is what he wanted to do.
Thanks to Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga’s Fundi Mang’ula initiative, the former boda boda rider has now transformed his passion for welding into a journey of self sufficiency and purpose.
“I could not believe it when I heard about the programme because I have always wanted to learn technical skills, but I did not have the resources to do so,” he says.
Oliech, who will sit for his final exams in December, says his training at Sero Technical Institute has changed his life.
“Now, I can make anything from scratch and people are beginning to notice my work even as I continue with my training,” he says.
He makes beds, windows and doors. His confidence and respect from the community grows with every item that he makes.
“For the first time I see a future, where am not just working to survive, but to thrive,” Oliech says. He plans to expand his business by opening a welding shop and mentoring other aspiring welders. “I want to be able to give someone else the same chance Fungi Mang’ula initiative has given me,” he says.
Damarah Shikwa, 26, says the initiative is a blessing to her and her family. The mother of two acquired tailoring skills that she is currently using to support her family.
Shikwa enrolled in the programme in November last year and sat for her final exams in August.
Oliech and Damaris are among 6,000 young people from 40 wards whose lives have been changed by the initiative. Wanga says the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by helping individuals acquire technical skills.
She emphasised the county’s commitment to empowering individuals through vocational training and supporting economic development.
“We are proud to support individuals like Oliech Raymond and look forward to telling more success stories from this initiative,” she says.
As Fundi Mang’ula
continues to support and sponsor
individuals through vocational
training, it stands as a beacon of
hope and opportunity, helping to
build a brighter future.