SOS Children’s Villages Eldoret Empowers Over 40 Care Leavers through Hydroponics Farming Training
“Our goal is to reach close to 3000 young care leavers in Uasin Gishu, providing them with essential skills that pave the way for meaningful employment opportunities,”
Lucy Ngendo, the Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Sports sampling some of the kales grown by the care leavers
Over 40 young care leavers celebrated their graduation on Friday following an intensive training program on hydroponics farming at SOS Children’s Villages Eldoret.
The initiative, conducted under the “Leave No Youth Behind” project in collaboration with Miramar International Foundation, aims to equip young individuals transitioning from care with practical skills in agriculture.
Milton Ashitiva, the Country Director of Miramar International Foundation, commended the graduates, stating, “Soilless farming provides an innovative avenue to attract the youth into agriculture, contributing significantly to food security.” He emphasized the importance of empowering young people with sustainable skills that align with contemporary agricultural practices.
Francis Muthoma, the Project Director at SOS Children’s Village, highlighted the village’s commitment to extending this training to more care leavers. “Our goal is to reach close to 3000 young care leavers in Uasin Gishu, providing them with essential skills that pave the way for meaningful employment opportunities,” Muthama explained.
Lucy Ngendo, the Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Sports, pledged the county government’s support for hydroponic farming training. She announced, “In the next financial year, we will consider setting aside funds to train individuals across the 30 wards in Uasin Gishu on hydroponic farming.” This commitment reflects the county’s dedication to fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Deputy County Commissioner of Ainabkoi, Roy Okal, who graced the graduation ceremony, seized the opportunity to encourage more youth to engage in agriculture. He cautioned against risky behaviors, emphasizing the link between unprotected sex and increased cases of HIV infections. Okal underscored the importance of responsible choices, highlighting that agricultural ventures provide viable alternatives for the youth, preventing abandonment of children due to inability to care for them.
The graduation ceremony stands as a testament to the success of collaborative efforts between SOS Children’s Villages Eldoret, Miramar International Foundation, and the Uasin Gishu County Government in empowering care leavers through practical skills that hold the promise of sustainable livelihoods.
About Author
