Through our Seed of Hope training programme we provide completely free vocational training, business skills courses and personal support to over 1,000 young people every year
Seed of Hope
Since 2004, Seed of Hope has supported over 5,000 marginalised young people aged 14-25, majority girls, to earn a sustainable income for themselves and their families.
We are growing, reaching over 1,000 young people each year, plus a further 3,000 indirectly through training partner educational institutions in our pioneering Seed of Hope model. We are changing the narrative for young people in Kenya and are recognised as a leader in our area.
Breaking cycles of poverty and exploitation
Young people in Kenya are being trapped in generational poverty cycles, with 67% of 15-34 year olds unemployed.
Some are living in remote areas, far from educational opportunities, facing food insecurity as a result of extreme drought. Others are living in informal settlements (aka ‘slums’), with harsh conditions and skyrocketting cost of living.
Unable to access or complete educational opportunities because of a lack of financial and wellbeing support, they are locked out of the skills needed to earn safe, stable incomes.
Girls and young women are disproportionately impacted. Some are forced into early marriage and motherhood, while others are left vulnerable to sexual and labour-based exploitation in their efforts to survive.
Vocational training and support
For over 20 years, we’ve been running our multi-award-winning, vocational education training programme through our education centres in three high need areas of Kenya – urban Nairobi, and rural Kitui county and Murang’a county. 70% of students are female and 30% of those are young mothers.
Seed of Hope provides free, accredited 6- and 12-month vocational training courses, such as Hairdressing & Beauty and Motor Vehicle Mechanics, as well as a 2 month course in entrepreneurial, financial and digital skills.
All vocational training includes core education in English, financial literacy, business and computer skills, as well as Agribusiness and Climate Change.
9 months after graduation, 89% of graduates start a business or secure employment. Key to our success is the package of holistic support, delivered and developed by local experts, to address the multiple physical and emotional barriers to safe futures young people face.
Our Seed of Hope programme includes:
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Life Skills
Daily sessions tackling issues such as gender-based violence, substance misuse, Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights.
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Counselling
Free individual and group counselling sessions are provided to help students process the trauma of poverty and exploitation. They are supported to develop coping mechanisms and the stigma of mental health is tackled
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Practical support
Free cooked lunches, period packs, travel cost support, and childcare vouchers, so students are able to fully focus on their learning.
After the end of their course, students can choose to sit an exam to gain a nationally recognised qualification.
We support and champion young people as they transition from learning to earning, by:
- setting graduates up with internships
- free access to Seed of Hope Business Hubs where they can use computers, equipment, tools and the materials they need to launch a small business
- mentorship from previous graduates
%
of Seed of Hope graduates are employed, or running their own business within 9 months of finishing studying with Seed of Hope.
%
of graduates mentor new students or members of their community.
Greening and Community Projects
We believe that community-driven solutions are the most sustainable in order for young people, their families, and their communities to thrive and break cycles of poverty.
Scaling Seed of Hope
Explore how we are scaling our training and programmes to impact many more Kenyan young people.