Participants at a Graduation

It has been a successful month for the ReachUp! program with numerous participants benefiting from the program and graduating in various regions in Kenya.

In the Rift Valley region, 26 participants graduated from Narok Youth Polytechnic and 50 more graduated from Kitale Technical Training College. The DOT Narok Intern, Anastacia Egelan noted that the ReachUp! program has brought hope to the participants as they now believe that there are more ways to achieve their goals other than studying all the way to university. Many of them have financial difficulties hence could not further their education. "ReachUp! helps them to come up with business ideas, to know how to run a business as well as manage their finances to better achievement of their dreams," She says. Joseph Waweru, the Kitale Intern says, 'the participants were clearly grateful having gotten a chance to be a part of a program that is solution centered with a goal of empowering them.' At the graduation, speaker after speaker encouraged the participants to develop an open mind and create solutions to the problems facing their societies using the knowledge they had obtained.

In the Coast region, 50 participants graduated from the Center for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA) where DOT Kenya's Samuel Kamiri facilitates the ReachUp! Program. This was presided over by CHDA director Madam Deirdre Prins- Solani who pointed out the change in the mode of information delivery from folk to e-learning and encouraged the participants to fully embrace the changes in technology.

In Western/ Nyanza region, 78 ReachUp! participants successfully completed the program and had a colorful graduation on 3^rd of March 2011. Despite facing several challenges, Bungoma area DOT facilitator, Keithline Wamocha says the enthusiasm of the participants kept her going. Their desire for education overshadowed the fact that the center did not have a reliable electricity connection. At the graduation, the guest of honor, Winnie Wangulu, took special note of the number of women who had registered and successfully completed the training and urged them to use the training to be self-reliant and to provide for their families.

In Central Kenya region 47 participants graduated at the Riabai Youth Polytechnic, 16 participants graduated from I.P.C.C Thika and 29 participants graduated at the Githua Youth Polytechnic. DOT Kenya staff comprising Program Manager Robina Mwaura, Program Assistant Rita Muniu and Communications' Christine Sayo were among the guests at the Riabai closing ceremony which was hosted by Intern Anne Rose Ng'endo. The Githua Youth Polytechnic graduation where Emma Wanjiru facilitates the ReachUp! program was attended by the area member of parliament, the District Youth Officer, Computer for Schools Kenya representatives and Amiran representatives who were all in praise of the ReachUp! program. Amiran Kenya is an organization dealing with green house technology and the representatives encouraged everyone to embrace agriculture and use the knowledge they had obtained to modernize their agricultural practices. The area MP, Mr Clement Wambugu stressed on education that is needs oriented and pointed out that for the area to develop, programs that empower like the ReachUp! should be embraced and supported. He thanked the participants for having made that positive step in their lives and encouraged them to fully utilize the knowledge obtained.

Guest Handing a Certificate to a Participant 

In Eastern region, 59 participants graduated from Nzaui Cameron Bible College after a one month training conducted by DOT Kenya's Joseph Mayuli. The college Principal noted that "DOT has been a powerful agent of transformation to the society by equipping the trainees with the knowledge, skills and attitude from various approaches that enable them perform and manage development activities in the society". The area chief, a guest for the occasion, said that the program is timely and will help the youth engage in productive activities as it enco;kjpiouurages them to explore their potential. He has currently registered for the next ReachUp! class as he says he is "ready to embrace technology".

DOT Kenya wishes all our participants the very best as they go out to put the knowledge gained into practice.