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Project

Project Heshima

Enhancing the employability and economic resilience of vulnerable youth through vocational skills, entrepreneurship and mentorship.

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ProjectLivelihoodsYouthKenya
Overview

About this project

Project Heshima (Swahili for 'dignity') works with unemployed and vulnerable young people, combining awareness on the socio-economic impact of illicit brews with technical vocational training, entrepreneurship, life skills and enterprise support.

In the field

Interconnected Across 10 Counties

Project Heshima — in the field
Project Heshima
Bikes4Youth handover event
New riders with their motorcycles
Bikes4Youth with Shell partners
Bikes4Youth beneficiaries in Kibera
A young rider with his new bike
On the road with a passenger
Project Heshima — in the field
Project Heshima
Bikes4Youth handover event
New riders with their motorcycles
Bikes4Youth with Shell partners
Bikes4Youth beneficiaries in Kibera
A young rider with his new bike
On the road with a passenger

AiRD facilitators and community members during field sessions.

Objectives

  • Enhance the employability of vulnerable and unemployed youth.
  • Build economic resilience through enterprise creation.
  • Raise awareness on the socio-economic impact of illicit brews.

Key activities

  • Entrepreneurship training.
  • Technical vocational skills development.
  • Life skills training.
  • Mentorship for sustained success.
  • Enterprise start-up support.

Impact so far

  • 3,800 youth and women reached with information on the socio-economic impact of illicit brews and available economic opportunities.
  • 1,486 youth trained in the last 12 months (852 female, 634 male) — 527 in technical vocational skills and 959 in entrepreneurship.
  • 423 youth secured gainful employment in related skill sectors.
  • 725 youth started their own enterprises, employing an additional 126 people.
  • All beneficiaries underwent mentorship for sustained success.
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