IYF Chairman Rev. Yohan Kim presents certificates to graduates during the seventh cohort's graduation ceremony at the organization's headquarters in Nairobi on February 15, 2025 /GEORGE OWITI
More than 5, 000 youth have graduated after undertaking various courses offered by the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) through its Free Weekend Academy project in collaboration with the national government.
The youth, drawn from all the Nairobi’s 17 subcounties, were conferred certificates in various fields after they underwent a three-month training at the Free Weekend Academy in Nairobi on Saturday.
This was the seventh cohort to graduate in the programme that commenced in 2007. The colorful event was presided over by Youth Social Development, the State Department of Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and Sports Director Emily Maina.
The graduation’s theme was, “Empowering Youth Talent for Tomorrow’s Job Market.” “The government has acknowledged that youth development issues require concerted efforts and a multidimensional approach.
The state department, with support from stakeholders, is therefore at the forefront of championing the government’s whole-of-society approach, including NGOs, academia, and private sectors among others.” Maina said. Maina spoke during the graduation ceremony held at the IYF’s headquarters in Nairobi.
“The Free Weekend Academy is free. Thus, the young people who come here learn on Saturdays and Sundays for free. Though this training started with a few areas, we are now going to 60 institutions where this is happening across the country,” Maina said.
She said that was possible due to the synergy among all players in the noble project.
“The International Youth Fellowship and Ministry of Youth and Sports are working together so that they can synergise to ensure that young people are empowered in many areas, which you have witnessed during this graduation exercise today. It’s out of this that we have been able to see the Free Weekend Academy’s graduation. In this regard, I’m thankful for the IYF for their invaluable contribution to the skilling of the youth in this country,” Maina said.
The IYF Free Weekend Academy offers a variety of courses, including UI/UX Design, paramedics, beauty and hairdressing, digital marketing, Korean language, Chinese language, French language, Taekwondo, Japanese, Video editing, graphics and design, music, dance, football, sign language, theology, and mindset education.
The academy is a three-month training course that provides real-world experience and industry knowledge Maina said the project’s ultimate goal was to ensure that young people get vocational skills development and are employed.
“The youth population in Kenya is 75 percent. That’s why we have to be very careful to ensure that young people are empowered. This segment has the power to change the country, hence our emphasis on their positive mindsets. As the team from the Ministry responsible for youth affairs, it’s gratifying to acknowledge partnerships with stakeholders like IYF who share a vision for the development of the youth and are greatly contributing to initiatives that will harness the youth demographic dividend for Kenya’s future prosperity,” Maina said.
Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika congratulated the graduates. Kirika encouraged the youth to pursue their life dreams. IYF Free Weekend Academy offers 29 courses, including plumbing, beauty and hairdressing, catering, camera operations, computer packages, fashion, and design.
IYF Chairman Rev. Yohan Kim challenged the graduates to focus on their mindset rather than materialistic things like money.
“I want to tell you, this one mindset that you all should have, many people think if I have a lot of money and if I am smart and have a good education…. people think those are the things that can make our lives happy,” Yohan said.
Yohan said IYF Weekend Academy had been instrumental in providing skills to disadvantaged youth, a majority being Form 4 leavers who, in one way or another, could not have a chance to further their education due to financial constraints.
“The initiative which has adopted a three-month cohort structure, not only equips students with practical skills, but also empowers them to contribute positively to their communities and the broader economy,” he said.
Since its inception in 2007, IYF Free Academy has channeled out more than 60,000 graduates who have gone out to be important members of society.
The academy operates on weekends across 3 months, whereby students pick one course at a time, after which they graduate with certificates, and the best receive scholarships to further their education with Mahanaim College as a partner.
The next IYF Free Weekend intake commences on February 22, 2025, at the IYF Headquarters along Thika Road.
