After being awarded the KenGen Education Scholarship last year for his secondary school education, Joel Mutiso thought that all he needed to do was to study hard and pass his exams.
Even though he had a rough idea on what career to pursue after school, he is still in Form One, and university seemed years away. He figured he still had enough time to decide on his future.
However, it was during this year’s Annual Mentorship that Joel realized that it was important to explore future career choices early so as to be able to focus his study efforts with a defined goal.
From 11 – 14 August, Joel and his peers engaged with industry experts in group lectures, interactive meetings, and team building exercises. They were also guided through in-depth confidence training exercises aimed at encouraging peer relationships, networking, and the exchange of ideas and experiences.
At the end of the 3-day symposium, Joel and the rest of the students were paired up with KenGen mentors, individuals who have volunteered their time to guide the students in discovering their potentials and talents during and after their school days.
Currently numbering 26, the mentors are KenGen employees who are mostly engaged full time in the various company’s departments, and play a huge role in the success of the scholarship students.
“Education is a broad topic that goes beyond classroom interaction”, says Anthony Igecha, the Managing Trustee of the KenGen Foundation.
“While some students have known what they wanted to pursue in life, especially those in universities, others are still trying to figure it out. The KenGen Foundation’s Annual Mentorship gives these students a chance to learn through other people’s experiences and gain insight on different career paths”, he adds.
Mentorship is the guidance provided by a mentor who is in most cases an experienced person. It basically involves a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person.
The motive of students being mentored is that such programs connect them with experts who are skilled and knowledgeable about various aspects of life and pass on their ideas, and teachings to the learners about different topics that range from behaviour, hard work, and success, among others. This helps them in making choices that would be helpful now, and in the future.
Isaac Asienwa, the Community Liaison Officer at Kipevu Power Plant and a mentor says, mentorship programs are important for students for different reasons. They promote the culture of collaboration and trust amongst the students, as a mentor is someone who is trusted by the mentees and whose work is successful when they cooperate with their mentees, he says.
He also notes that a strong mentorship program help students develop the confidence, self-esteem and skills they need to be successful in school and in life. Mentoring is widely recognized as contributing to strong and healthy communities.
“Mentorship programs help forge stronger links for students in career and employment programs, where they are able to take full advantage of the working and learning opportunities available in the country,” adds Isaac.
Apart from sharing with the mentees information about their own career paths, as well as providing guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling, the mentors are crucial in guiding the students in exploring career paths, setting goals, and identifying resources.
Teresse Nduku, KenGen’s Communication Officer and mentor, states that mentoring activities promote literacy skills, self-esteem, and social appropriateness and supports strength-based practices that build resiliency.
Teresse explains that mentorship programs increase performance of students as this can facilitate learning since students don’t encounter many problems because they are solved through mentorship.
“Mentorship programs can help in fighting unwanted and early pregnancies and other harmful behavior among students as they are given a chance to open up about different issues they could be facing, this is where mentors find relevant solutions,” Teresse says.
A mentor’s role is extremely rewarding as they influence the lives of the mentees who in turn influence the lives of others. Mentors have extraordinary influence over mentees so it is important that this is not abused. That foundation of this relationship is by building deep interest, knowledge and trust.
Apart from sharing with the mentees information about their own career paths, as well as providing guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling, the mentors are crucial in guiding the students in exploring career paths, setting goals, and identifying resources.
Teresse Nduku, KenGen’s Communication Officer and mentor, states that mentoring activities promote literacy skills, self-esteem, and social appropriateness and supports strength-based practices that build resiliency.
Teresse explains that mentorship programs increase performance of students as this can facilitate learning since students don’t encounter many problems because they are solved through mentorship.
“Mentorship programs can help in fighting unwanted and early pregnancies and other harmful behavior among students as they are given a chance to open up about different issues they could be facing, this is where mentors find relevant solutions,” Teresse says.
A mentor’s role is extremely rewarding as they influence the lives of the mentees who in turn influence the lives of others. Mentors have extraordinary influence over mentees so it is important that this is not abused. That foundation of this relationship is by building deep interest, knowledge and trust.
The Annual Mentorship Program is an integral component of the education pillar of KenGen’s ’ Corporate Social Investment, and is aligned with the Foundation’s mission of transforming livelihoods through impactful and sustainable programs. It is designed and modeled towards attracting KenGen’s professionals to deliver lectures and workshops.
Mentorship is a noble cause through which KenGen staff contribute back to the Education Scholarship program. It is a great way to help the scholarship beneficiaries make the transition from secondary school to university, or university to work a little easier and smoother. A mentor’s sound and timely advice can change a student’s life journey; it can help guide and direct the mentee’s career path for the better.
While it is KenGen that gives out these scholarships, the actual work towards achieving and realizing the goals set out lie with the individual students such as Joel, who are encouraged to take full advantage of the program to ensure the scholarships are offered to only those who deserve and make use of them.
The KenGen Foundation greatly appreciates the role of the KenGen Staff mentors who are listed as follows: Teresse Nduku, Peninah Mbuthi, Faith Kihara, Florence Mwele, Simon Kisotu, Elizabeth Gachau, Timothy Kimanzi, Peter Ngachuro, Jean wangari, Rose Owiti, James Gitonga, Catherine Munuthi, Muria Ogari, Obed Kariuki, David Walubengo, Dorcas Arama, Betty Ouko, Gilha Chebii, Rebecca Wanyonyi, Peter Otugo, Cecilia Macharia, Cornilius Korir, Isaac Asienwa, Judith Mbogo, Esther Kamaara, and Mary Wangari.
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–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer