The second group of Interns under MasterCard Foundation funded DOT ReachUp! program recently completed their nine month internship journey at a colorful graduation ceremony. During this event, Interns who had made a major difference in their communities and in their own lives, were feted.

While commending all the graduating Interns for the wonderful work they had done, Programs Manager Robina Mwaura took cognizance of three Interns who were particularly outstanding during the nine month period. These three were Samuel Kasera, Ann Akida and Phillip Sande.

Samuel Kasera took home the 'Impact Award' in recognition of the large number of participants he had coached into either starting a business or helped improved their existing businesses. Kasera facilitates ReachUp! program in Mbita area of Nyanza region and during the period, he coached a total of 42 participants who have proceeded to initiate different livelihood projects. Some of these include; M-pesa (Money transfer service), horticulture, salons, boutiques and motorcycle taxi services. One of his participants, despite her advanced age, decided to go back to form one after completing the ReachUp! as her desire for knowledge increased. Kasera himself operates a personal computer center from where he conducts the ReachUp! training. He has grown from a DOT Intern to a DOT Partner and is already helping in the Siemens Energy Project in Mbita. The Siemens project aims to establish Internet Cafe's in the area which will enable DOT-Kenya deliver its programs therein to make the community in Mbita more entrepreneurial.

Ann Akida and Phillip Sande were both awarded the 'Intern of the year'. This award recognizes the Interns who, in addition to having a had great impact on the community, were most organized in regards to submission of monitoring and evaluation reports, blogging, were disciplined, great team players and had professional interaction with the Field Officers and Program Assistants. Both Ann and Philip took the opportunity and information accorded by the program to create sources of income. Ann runs a wines and spirits outlet in Kericho town while Philip recently opened a movies store in Nairobi where he targets the large number of youths around Nairobi area. He took a step further and employed one of his former participants to assist in the day to day operations of the store.

While giving the awards, Country Director Mr. Evans Njoro encouraged the Interns, currently facilitating the program, to emulate those preceding them so as to fully realize the benefits of ReachUp!  to the individual and to the society as a whole. We appreciate the good work done by Samuel, Ann and Philip and encourage them to continue with the same motivation.