Before PropelA, Milton Ngoda and Faith Njiru, like many young people in Kenya, faced significant barriers to education and employment.
Milton had dropped out of a TVET institution, where he was studying an Electrical course, due to financial constraints. Similarly, Faith couldn’t continue her higher education after high school because her family couldn't afford it. To support her parents to put food on the table, she had no choice but to seek employment.
During their interview with Capital FM host June Gachui, Milton highlighted the key differences between PropelA and traditional TVET institutions. Faith echoed Milton’s thoughts, emphasizing how soft skills and life skills training helped build their confidence and resilience, enabling them to excel in their roles. Both now reflect on the significant improvement in their quality of life.
When asked how they’re contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in alignment to the International Youth Day theme: Local Youth Actions for SDGs and beyond, both Milton and Faith shared how they are using their experiences to inspire others.
Milton, a youth leader at his church, mentor’s youths, helping them navigate career paths in technical skills and emphasizing the importance of certification to casual laborers at work.
Faith, now a mentor to the third PropelA cohort at Atlas Plumbers Ltd is guiding new apprentices in their practical training and also actively sharing PropelA opportunities with youth in her community, particularly encouraging young women to pursue careers in trades like plumbing and electrical work.
Cynthia Wakio, Communications Coordinator at Swisscontact, highlighted how Swisscontact is localizing the SDGs.
"Swisscontact has been part of Kenya’s evolving development landscape, adapting our efforts to address the country’s most pressing challenges. Through programs like PropelA, we tackle youth unemployment, the shortage of skilled labor, and the education-industry gap by fostering youth employability, entrepreneurship, and future-ready businesses."
She elaborated on how PropelA aligns with key SDGs:
On this International Youth Day, Milton and Faith’s stories are a powerful reminder of the potential within Kenya’s youth when given the chance to gain practical skills, mentorship, and employment opportunities.
This project is financed by the Hilti Foundation and Geberit International AG. It is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.