RC Ngong Hills Launches Mentorship Program

By Rtn Virginia Wangari

The Rotary Club of Ngong Hills (RCNH) in collaboration with the Rotaract Club of Ngong Hills has launched a mentorship program at the Oloolua Secondary School in Oloolua, Ngong.

Mr. Boniface Mutinda, the Principal, Oloolua Secondary School said the mentorship program was timely. ‘These students need a lot of support since most of them come from very humble backgrounds around Ngong. They will be writing their form four examinations next year and this initiative will help give them the right information to make wise decisions,’ he said.

The mentorship program is part of the wider education project being implemented by the RCNH. The education program includes scholarships to needy but bright students at the Oloolua and Kerarapon Secondary Schools and books distribution. However, the club observed that scholarships catered for a minority in the school yet a large population could benefit from the knowledge that was freely available within the club.

‘Through the School’s Principal we learnt that the students were struggling with issues of low self-esteem, drugs and substance abuse and overall confusion about what they want in life. Although we were supporting some of them through scholarships we deemed it wise to walk with the students through mentorship,’ said Rotarian Virginia Wangari, the education project impact lead, the Rotary Club of Ngong Hills.

The mentorship session attracted one hundred and thirty one students (131) in form three at the school. Topics covered included self-awareness, drugs and substance abuse, responsible use of social media, healthy peer relationships and career guidance.

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Anthony Wafula, President of the Rotary Club of Ngong Hills observed that mentorship done early and correctly can help transform the student’s lives. ‘Mentorship is important especially for secondary students because it helps them realize and work on their career goals early. It also helps any students that are going through difficulties at home at school to share their problems with someone else apart from the teacher. If the students lack role models in their lives, the mentors come in and fill that void. Students are able to have someone to look upto,’ said president Wafula.

The RCNH will provide mentorship sessions at least once very term and on a needs basis in collaboration with the school administration and the Rotaract Club of Ngong Hills at the school and other surrounding schools. The Rotaract Club plans to charter an Interact Club at the school to further grow the student’s leadership skills.