Laikipia Youth Week Highlights Challenges And Opportunities For Youth Including PWDs
Laikipia County hosted its annual Youth Week from August 7-12, 2023, with the theme "Green Skills for Youth, Towards a Sustainable World."
The weeklong event was aimed at highlighting the challenges that youth face in Laikipia and the opportunities that are available to them.
According to Kenya News Agency, one of the key challenges that were highlighted during the week was the lack of opportunities for youth with disabilities.
Lucy Murage, an officer with Light for the World, an organization that supports PWDs engaged in business in Kenya, said that youth with disabilities are often trained in business but then lack the opportunities to put their skills into practice.
She appealed to the various institutions in the country to consider PWDs when there are job openings.
Another challenge that was highlighted during the event was the lack of access to finance for youth-led businesses. Grace Wanene, the director of Drawing Dreams Initiative, a youth-led community-based organization (CBO), said that many young people have great ideas for businesses, but they lack the capital to get started. She called on the county government to provide more support for youth-led businesses.
Despite the challenges, there were also many opportunities highlighted during the week. The Laikipia County government has set aside funds to support youth-led initiatives, and there are a number of organizations that provide training and support to youth entrepreneurs.
Reuben Mwangi, one of the exhibitors at the Cider Mall exhibition, said that he has been able to support himself for three years through his business of making jewel storage tins from used glass bottles. He encouraged other youth to be innovative and to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them.
Tags: Signstv Youth Week Light For The World Drawing Dreams Initiative
