Undugu Mentorship Initiative

Mentorship Seminar and Education Expo.

For the last two days we have engaged the youth of Wundanyi and Voi who are set to join Colleges and Universities this year where we partnered with stakeholders in the higher education sector to share valuable information/opportunities to them.

We sincerely appreciate Hon. Danson Mwashako Mwakuwona, Hon. Khamis Chome Abdi for supporting the two events.

Special recognition to; HELB, KUCCPS, NG-CDF Wundanyi, Ng-CDF Voi, Taita Taveta University, Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, KMTC-Voi, Wumingu Technical Training Institute and Bura Teachers Training College for enlightening the youth and parents on opportunities on courses,placements and funding models/categories available for every youth. Indeed you did a wonderful job.

We applaud our mentors who trained the youth on life skills and ensured the sessions ran smoothly.

In conjunction with our Founder & Chaiman Hon. Danson Mwashako Mwakuwona, MP Wundanyi Constituency and his counterpart Hon. Khamis Abdi Chome, MP Voi Constituency we invite youth set to joint colleges & universities this year for a one day Mentorship Seminar & Education Expo.

See poster for venue and time.

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats

Often unable to maintain consistency; students find themselves loosing their academic momentum thus affecting their performance.

A team of our mentors visited New Marungu Secondary School, Bughuta Secondary School, Mwangoji Secondary School and Moi Boys High School where they shared their life experiences, advised the learners on need to be passionate and persistent in their academics.

Every kid needs a mentor. Everybody needs a mentor ― Donovan Bailey.

Inspired by our motto; giving back to society, our mentors visited Kizumanzi Secondary School and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (OLOPS) both in Sagalla for mentorship, counseling and motivational talk.

Are you youth in college or transitioning to the job market? Join in our webinar today from 7:30pm.

To join the meeting on Google Meet, click this link:
https://meet.google.com/pyi-vkwt-ebw

Or open Meet and enter this code: pyi-vkwt-ebw

Our peer mentor Litto Robert, led a team of young mentors (in university) to a series of mentorship sessions at St. Mary's Boys High School, Kitumbi Secondary School, Dr. Aggrey Boys High School and Shimbo Secondary School.

Undugu Mentorship Initiative @17
Dinner 2023

We had wonderful mentorship session at Mwakishimba Secondary school.

As an organisation, we believe that mentoring in secondary schools provides students with additional support and guidance while creating a positive and nurturing environment for their overall development.

By inspiring young minds, the students will discover their passions, develop important life skills, and achieve their academic goals.

The school participated in this years High achiever's Camp held at Taita Taveta University. The form fours have promised to improve on this year's KCSE mean score. We wish them all the best in their endeavours.

High Achievers Academic Camp Officially Opened

Undugu Mentorship Initiative in a tripartite partnership with Kenya Secondary School Heads Association - Taita Taveta County (KeSSHA) and Taita Taveta University has put together a four day High Achievers Camp hosted within Taita Taveta University.

The camp brings together a total of 637 form four students with potential to attaining University entry grade drawn from all secondary schools within Taita Taveta County.

Today, Friday 1st September, 2023, the camp was graced and officially opened by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barasa together with Hon. Danson Mwashako, MP Wundanyi who is also the Chairperson of Undugu Mentorship Initiative, others present were County Quality Assurance Officer - MOE, County Chief of Staff - Taita Taveta County Government, Chairman - KeSSHA, KeSSHA Academic Chairperson, all the 4 KeSSHA Sub - County Chairpersons, TTU Professor's and our mentors.

The students were encouraged to make maximum use of their time during the camp for maximum benefit.

"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of it members." Coretta Scott King.

Amongst our key thematic areas our community sensitization and advocacy program aims at supporting communities to better themselves.

Yesterday, Undugu Mentorship Initiative facilitated a professional talk to the members of Mghange Nyika Welfare Society during their General Membership Meeting held at the Bishop Hannigton Hall Buxton - Mombasa.

The engagement brought together the welfare members and their children who are in various universities and colleges, secondary and primary school kids.

Special appreciation to our mentors Halima Pendo, James Mwaisaka, and Evans Msafari for taking the welfare members through topics on Health and Stress Management, Mentorship and Social Cooperate Responsibility, Environmental Concerns, and Peer Pressure.

We acknowledge the invitation through the Welfares' Education and Executive Management Committees.

Giving back to society.

Undugu Mentorship Initiative takes this foremost opportunity to celebrate and congratulate all youth who qualified and are set to join various Universities this year. Indeed, your efforts were not invain.

Today mentors led by our Chairman Hon. Danson Mwashako, MP Wundanyi Constituency intercated with these youth for a one day University Expo & Training Workshop held at the Dan Mwazo Social Hall - Voi to prepare them for University life.

Our mentors spoke candidly on these 10 topics:-
1. HELB/Funding for University Fees
2. Health & Safety (First Aid & Evacuation)
3. University Culture & Freedoms, Vices & Influences, Student Leadership & Opportunities
4. Volunterism
5. Sexual Reproductive Health
6. Mental Health & Stress Management
7. Drugs and Substance Abuse
8. Financial Management & Savings Culture
9. Creating your Social Capital & Networking and
10. Diet & Nutrition

In a unique and yet rare opportunity, the workshop was officially opened by Hon. Eng. Abdi Chome, MP Voi Constituency while Hon. Gloria Monikombo, CECM Education, Libraries & VTC County County Government of Taita Taveta gave a powerful key note address.

Others present were Madam Charity of HELB, Marcus Mwakwari of Red Cross, Former Waziri Getrude Shuwe, Mentor Miss Elizabeth Mbinga, CCO Department of Environment, Water & Natural Sources among other mentors.

We take this opportunity to wish them well as they transit to their respective Universities.

Are You Ready to Embrace the University Journey? All (2023) University Students are invited to attend. The seminar is free.

Plutarch - "The mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting."

Often various limiting factors ranging from; family backgrounds, little/lack of self belief/confidence, negative attitudes, laxity, lack of role models and other vices prevent learners from reaching their full potential.

Undugu Mentorship Initiative ignites passions and potentials in learners to exploits.

Today, students of Mwakichuchu Secondary School and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Secondary School in Sagalla benefited from our pool of mentors who all heartedly interacted with the learners sharing with them life experiences, motivation, career guidance, and study tips. This is all geared towards improving their personal best performancies and overall grades for a better tomorrow.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X

Driven by the passion to realize a better tomorrow, our mentors strive to help prepare and equip the young generation with the necessary information and motivation to enable them make right decisions for their academics and the future.

Over the weekend; mentors were able to share nuggets of wisdom, experiences and encouragement to students of Chala Secondary School, Timbila High School in Taveta, Taita Taveta County and Kombeni Girls in Kaloleni, Kilifi County.

“Education is one thing no one can take away from you;” - it is the only inheritance that never departs from one.

Over the weekend 3 schools received mentorship, career guidance, life skill tips and motivation from our mentors.

Dividing into 2 groups on Saturday, our mentors visited Voi Girls and Allan Mjomba Secondary Schools in Voi and Wongonyi respectively.

Sunday was a turn for Mwasere Girls High School.

Undugu Mentorship Initiative continues to walk the academic journey with students with an aim of achieving academic excellence and positively impacting their lives through informed decision making.

In light of the promise made by Undugu mentorship Initiative chairperson, Hon. Danson Mwashako, the board of directors Undugu met with the leadership of Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association on Saturday evening.

The agenda of the day was reviving the "High Achiever's Camp", in view of the fact that Undugu Holds an MOU with Taita Taveta University.
The meeting was graced by Taita Taveta county chief of staff Hon. Pamphil Mwakio, a seasoned educationist.

Founder and chairperson Undugu mentorship Initiative, Hon. Danson Mwashako, attended a diocesan Prize giving day for Anglican Church sponsored schools held at St. Batholomew Secondary in Voi. ACK Taita Taveta Diosece sponsors 51 of the 83 Secondary schools in the county.
It was agreed that a meeting would be convened this month that will be co-chaired by Undugu Mentorship Initiative NGO and Kenya Secondary schools Heads Association Taita Taveta chapter. The meeting is to discuss on strategies of improving performance through mentorship and putting together a High achievers camp that will bring together our top performing students in the county. In the meantime Undugu mentors will enhance their mentorship pace so as to reach as many schools as possible across the County.

Leadership is not interacting in a transactional way, but in a transformational way.

At Undugu mentorship Initiative, we interact with young adults to transform and inform while getting informed.
The last weekend of the term were spent with students from Dalmas Moka, Sacred Heart Mwakiwiwi, Dr. Aggrey Boys' and Senior Chief Mwangeka Girls' secondary schools.

It takes one talk to change a life. To stir up the desire for academic excellence, mentors today visited Njoro secondary and Timbila high school in Taveta.
Joining us were our partners and sister organization the Kenya Keys foundation from Kwale.

Congratulations to our partners and sister organization, The Kenya Keys Foundation for the milestones and impact made in Kwale through their educational support programs.

Mentors attended a conference hosted by Kenya Keys at Taru. Guest speaker was Nelly Cheboi Founder and CEO Techlit company. She is CNN Hero of the Year and Forbes 30 under 30.
Present were Kenya Keys founders, Brendt and Mama Rinda, US team partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries

2023 with a bang 💥
Our first mentorship weekend begun at Mdundonyi and Canon Kituri secondary in Werugha,Taita -Taveta County. We congratulated the schools for a positive deviation in their mean scores from previous National Exam. Students were however urged to do better. They were encouraged to maintain discipline and start with a high note.

All roads lead to Taveta come the weekend of 18th February.
All interested mentors to WhatsApp 0724700763 - Elizabeth for further details.

One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, how big my house was, or what kind of car I drove. But the world may be a little better, because I was important in the life of a youth. Barikiwa.

“Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom.” —George Washington Carver

Mentors emphasized on the importance of education to potential candidates in Voi. An event organized by Tanzania Voi mentorship organization. Joining mentors was Mr. Mtungi the CEC Youth and sports Taita Taveta County government.

Undugu in collaboration with The Center of Social Leadership hosted a two day training for 70 teachers within Wundanyi Sub- County. The training facilitated by Antony Sillard PhD lecturer at St Luis University Rome, was on incorporating Leadership and work readiness skills in the educational curriculum.
We were graced by the presence of H.E Andrew Mwadime the Governor of Taita Taveta County, during the closing of the ceremony.

The beauty of someone going ahead of you, is so that they can show you the way.

That is what our mentors did today at Kombeni Secondary in Kaloleni.
Giving career guidance and motivation to the girls.

This weekend a couple of mentors attended a full day career day at Matuga girls highschool in Kwale.

Education is the seed that will grow into a beautiful tree of success.