A group of professionals in Homa Bay County have launched a talent centre to mentor youth to be self-reliant and economically empowered.
The centre dubbed Ramrod Ujuzi Talent Centre has been established at Riat trading centre in Rachuonyo South Sub-county and aims to bring the youth together so that their talents are identified and nurtured.
The centre seeks to identify the strengths and talents of youth and nurture them to their full exploitation. The youths are guided and molded by experts from various professions such as engineering, teaching, journalism, art and craft, games, music among others.
The Founder of the Centre Ochieng’ Oreyo and Board Member Serafina Odhiambo said they started the centre to fight poverty among young people in the area.
Oreyo said that there are many youths whose talents have been wasted due to inability to identify and nurture them, adding that the centre will help to deal with the identification of talents.
“We have realized that there is a serious underutilization of talents among the youth in this area. This centre is going to tap the talents and nurture them,” Oreyo said, adding that the centre targets youth of all backgrounds. This includes secondary school students, primary school pupils, college and university students.
Those in various levels of schooling receive guidance on future careers based on their ability. This will enable them to choose market driven courses when they join universities or tertiary colleges.
Those who are talented in music are given musical instruments to play so that they gain more experience. “We have a number of professionals who guide the youth in various fields they are interested in. We give them opportunity to practice in their areas of interest so as to nurture the talent,” Oreyo said.
He said the centre will enable the youth to acquire knowledge for self-employment. “We want the youth to create jobs using their talents,” he added.
Odhiambo told youths who performed poorly in KCSE exams by getting grades like E or D- (minus), not to give up in life.
“A student who gets an E in exams means there is a practical activity she or he is good at. At the centre, we identify such youths’ talents so that they are guided on what they can do well,” Odhiambo said.
By Davis Langat
