Rainbow Room Foundation celebrated thirty-six freshly minted graduates from the Teen Peer Mentorship Programme, 7th cohort. The mentees were part of training sessions spaced to happen at least for a week during school holiday breaks, culminating in a graduation ceremony on November 18 at the RRF complex.
Tales exist of how RRF opened its doors a decade ago after the founders were conducting school research in Bungoma encountered a teenager who had given birth to a set of triplets. Years later, today, 36 mentees graduate after a thorough training in decision making, coping with peer pressure, dealing with stress and emotions, choice of subjects in school self-acceptance and other areas of interest.
From humble beginnings, this celebration is a befitting sendoff to the graduands – cake cutting, song and dance, certificates and trophies.
To commemorate the auspicious occasion, guests explained how the programmes add value to the society.
“I am currently handling three cases of teenage pregnancies, which reinforces the importance of this type of training to our young girls in the community,” said the Mukhweya area chief, Musungu Abiud.
Madam Gertrude Sakwa (also known as Shosh), serves as one of the facilitators for the TPM programme guiding the girls through various topics.
Catherine Anyona, RRF’s programme manager, explained that the goal was not only to impart knowledge to the girls but to cultivate a culture of resilience, instil confidence and nurture the extraordinary potential within each of these bright minds picked for the programme.
Moreover, one TPM from Cohort 1, Neema Nabiswa, revealed how she received much-needed exposure after visiting the city capital, Nairobi. The trip makes her indebted to lessons from the programme. That, the perfect repayment from her will be living by the guidance received.
‘ We have heard reports of improved conduct of our girls from their various schools. We have seen increase of the girls completing high school and entering colleges and universities nationwide. We have also had some of TPM graduates from their respective universities and colleges, sometimes at the top of their classes. ‘ Reads an excerpt from RRF Chief Executive Officer Sophia Wanyonyi’s speech.
Mrs Macheusi, the guest of honour, gave an allegory of how ‘clearing the bush’ was a difficult task and how things have improved since the inception of RRF a decade ago. She asked the graduates not to underestimate the power of continued self-improvement.
” Each of you has the individual power to make a difference whether at home or anywhere,” concluded Mrs Macheusi.
Traditionally, in the TPM graduation ceremony, a candle is lit and held to signify the passage of light from the programme sponsors and founders to all the beneficiaries present.
The graduates stand on the brink of exciting possibilities ahead. They are not the leaders of tomorrow but today. They carry forward lessons, new friends and dreams that now burn even brighter. As they embark on new chapters in their lives, the journey does not end. May they keep seeking knowledge, embracing challenges and nurturing the flame of ambition.
We congratulate each graduate for the achievement.
Schools in Partnership for the Programme : Nalondo CBM, Khachonge Girls, Malakisi Muslim, Pongola, St. Kizito Mukhweya, Sanandiki Girls, Wabukhonyi Secondary, Kabuchai Girls, St Brigids Nangwe, Chebukwa Secondary, Bungoma Baptist, Cardinal Otunga girls and Nalondo Girls.
Post by Anyanzwa Brian.
Photography by Julia Laval.
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