In -school mentorship program also known as the teenage life skills training targets primary and secondary students aged between 13 years to 18 years old. It is conducted during the holidays when the schools are closed. This program is geared towards shaping the students at a 360 degrees touching all aspect of life.
Mentees in different group sessions
Due to Covid and the need to resume the normal school calendar, students had to go for a long-holiday break after being in school for more than 11 weeks. The 7 weeks longs holiday provided us with an opportunity to support the teens in academics and life skills training. There were a range of activities to keep the teens engaged, entertained, and mostly informed. They included: mentor talks, outdoor activities like swimming, hikes, gym sessions, theatre shows and bible study, group therapy and personal counselling sessions.
Teens having gym session at the Lifestyle Ministries Gym
On board the program were 30 students, both beneficiaries of Daraja students and others from the community who also developed interest in the program. The first 2 weeks during the break the turnout was small but the weeks that followed the number kept increasing, thanks to a balance of activities and experienced facilitators who made sure the teens learn the most.
Group photo of the mentees after an entertainment at the Nakuru Players theatre.
Program Objectives Included:
To develop interpersonal skills and intrapersonal skills and adopt good leadership behavior for empowerment of self and others.
To set appropriate goals, manage stress and time effectively.
To improve the teenagers self-esteem, confidence and social competence.
Academic tuition was to enable our students to improve the weak areas in different subject.
Indoor mentor session and later outdoor swimming activity
The venues for the 7-week program were conducive for all the activities. Daraja 360 campus was ideal for learning and group discussions, Lifestyle Gym hosted the teens to a fitness and exercise session, Menengai Crater provided a serene outdoor environment for students to enjoy hiking and team building activities.
Teens enjoying great outdoor time at foots of Menegai Crater
In the same period, Daraja 360 also held the Shujaa Positive Parenting Program which played an important role in strengthening parents-children relationship. These sessions help parents to understand their children better, know their strength and weaknesses, and instill a sense of self-disbelief.
The partner organizations (CSMI, Lifestyle gym, Scripture Heritage, Zaidi Africa) came in handy to make the seven weeks program a success.
