Since the advent of Covid-19 in Kenya life continues to be in an unpredictable mode, creating an environment where youth are left with limited options to make a meaningful livelihood.
One of the main areas that youth have been affected is in the business sector where the gap between the unemployed and employed continues to widen leaving those who want to venture in business or employment guessing what do just to make both ends meet while staying away from any other negative influence.
Youths from underserved communities are faced with many challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic has made the gap even wider especially socially, economically and general livelihood. On the other hand, within the pandemic era, youth led organizations and youth serving organizations have been facing challenges on how they can continue addressing the pressing needs of the youth like unemployment, underemployment employment, mentorship, mental health, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) among other issues.
The Maji Mazuri youth group is one youth group in Mathare innovating different ways of meaningful youth engagement in line with all Covid-19 directives. Together with Maji Mazuri we organized a master class after realizing there is an urgent need to keep in touch with the youth in all possible platforms both online and offline.
Our main agenda is creating safe spaces for the youth members to learn, be mentored and share learning experience especially during and after the pandemic era.
On the other side, we have also noticed there's an urgent need to keep the youth informed on how they can adapt within the new normal by creating solutions, especially by using whatever resources that they have, think partnership and more importantly understand the emerging needs within the society.
There is need of developing creative interventions that will meaningful engage the youth and sensitize them on existing and emerging issues in matters health, business and personal growth.
On Sunday 18th April 2021 – Master Class with the youth at Maji Mazuri we covered the following areas;
- How to come up with a business idea and identify a business opportunity, especially during the Covid-19 era and beyond.
- How to develop a simple business plan using the business model canvas.
- Marketing strategies both online and offline
- How to build a business brand
- Discussion of existing business model by the participants
- Case studies of other business models The participants got time to share their experiences both who have businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs also shared their plans.
The main goal is to empower the youths on how to set up a business from an idea and grow it while considering the changing environment for example within the current pandemic and beyond.
Goal Oriented. #YouthSpace #LifeLongLearning
You need to be FIT and SMART to achieve your GOAL.
It isn't always survival for the fittest, but also survival depends on your smartness.
"Those who are fit will survive, while those who are smart will develop new solutions" - Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate & Social Entrepreneur.
May be you are asking how, and what is the difference and connecting factor?
Survival for the fittest - here fittest is ambiguous which can mean many things from your health, qualification, ability, finances, network or any other resources at your disposal.
Survival for the smartest - More of what you do with what you have (the fittest part) in creating solutions.
Have a brilliant day and lovely weekend ahead. In the lockdown mode we can still find what makes us happy. #NeverGiveUP
In conclusion youth continues to seek for new solutions, opportunities, mentorship, advice and all manner of support which if not provided youth will fall into mental stress and other life threatening situations.
