Journalist, activists among 15 youth to undergo entrepreneurship, leadership training

 

Amos Mutua, 2021 MLIFE Fellow, converses with Mwangi Mukami, President of the MLIFE Foundation as Kayte Mukami, MLIFE’s Nairobi Campus Director looks on. [Patrick Vidija, Standard]

A group of 15 young Kenyans has been picked to join MLIFE Foundation’s entrepreneurship and leadership fellowship aimed at equipping them with skills to become NextGen leaders.

Dubbed ‘MLOVE’ the 12-month transformative experiential leadership program provides young leaders a vulnerable and safe space to be human, collaborate and partner with others, learn from world-class faculty, and become future leaders and seasoned entrepreneurs.

MLIFE Foundation President and Founder Mwangi Mukami said ‘MLOVE’ Fellows receive a financial stipend, mentorship and coaching among other tools they need to ideate, define and execute a strategy that gives them an advantage in a complex and changing world.

“Sub-Saharan Africa has the youngest population globally with 70 per cent of its population under 30. Almost two-thirds of this population are underemployed and from an economically disadvantaged background. It is Africa's most tremendous potential lying in waste,” Mukami said adding, “We build a better world by providing the NextGen leaders with a platform to learn, innovate, and connect with others to realise goals that matter to them”.

Philly Achieng, a passionate journalist and advocate of human rights, Risper Kengere a radical feminist who advocates for gender equality, economic justice and sexual reproductive health, Silvia Wanja, a youth empowerment and development specialist, Stacey Wakesho a digital activist representing the queer community and Tuta Mang’eli a human rights defender in the coast region are among the group that undergo the training here in Nairobi starting next month.

Unique project introduces students to early entrepreneurship skills

Others include Tech expert Valary Vusaka, aspiring entrepreneur Vincent Kipkorir, Mental Health Advocate Patricia Chebet, Social work enthusiast Mariam Komora, Human Rights Defender Kelvin Njeri and psychologist Ismael Michael Kiboro.

Mukami said women represent 60 per cent of the foundation’s fellows as empowering women is essential to the health, economic and social development of families, communities and countries.

“When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can reach their full potential,” he explained.

He said the cohort will convene at the three-day annual leadership conference in Nairobi dubbed “The Future is Human Summit set for July 31 - August 2, 2023.

“During the summit, the fellows will be trained on communication skills, leadership and entrepreneurship before the proceed with the 12 month programme whih includes a one-on-one coaching sessions, bi weekly mentorship sessions, training on Fundraising among other skills,” said Mwangi Ndegwa MLOVE Programme Director.

In the said period, the fellows will be given a chance to participate by pitching their entrepreneurial ideas, with the best business ideas getting funding.

Ndegwa said so far over 10 entrepreneurs in Africa have benefited from the programme with about Sh10 million having been spent in supporting startups that emanate from the programme.