By John Majau
Ruiri/Rwarera MCA Peter Mutuma Kalembe has warmed the hearts of countless residents after he sponsored 40 youths from the region to attain vocational training.
The forty learners will take courses such as mobile phone repair, CCTV installation, computer repair, barbering, baking, beauty and hairdressing among others.
Speaking at Ruiri Rwarera Vocational Training Center, Kalembe said he has partnered with Meru Institute of Business Studies (MIBS ) College in a bid to equip youths from vulnerable families with skills that will enable them earn a living and support their folks.
The programme will be carried out by MIBS College and will kick off at the newly built Ruiri Rwarera Vocational Training Center.
Kalembe added that the new centre will be easily accessible to learners from Ruiri/Rwarera.
“The learners may not afford to pay Sh100 every day to Meru town. This is why we allowed them to use the Vocational Training Center which is closer to their homes. Currently, the training center is yet to be functional,” Kalembe said. He added that the program will cost Sh700, 000.
Kalembe noted that the youths benefiting from the program were intelligently selected from vulnerable families through the help of the Church leaders and the area administration.
“The Chiefs, clergy and village elders helped us select them. We were focusing on those coming from needy families and willing to acquire skills,” Kalembe said.
Sources close to the MCA have revealed that this is the second batch of learners that the MCA is sponsoring. The first batch of 30 learners graduated from MIBS College on July 27, 2021.
MIBS College Chief Executive Officer, who is also the Principal Nyagah Simon said the college will also offer free basic computer skills to learners in addition to the courses of their choice.
He urged youths to focus on acquiring short term skills that can help them earn a living rather than just education with no skills.
Lauding the MCA for the initiative, Nyagah said the program will enable the region to develop.
“This initiative will help this region to have more entrepreneurs who will later employ others and create more jobs,” he said.
The Principal called on other politicians to create such programs to help youths in their regions to acquire skills.
