On 23^rd Friday 2022 we held a mentorship workshop for high school students in the Shamas Rugby Foundation (SRF) scholarship program, the objective of the workshop was to guide the students on the best way to strike a balance between academics and extracurricular activities in their stay in school.

The event was planned and hosted by the social work department; the session brought some of SRF’s alumni.  Kerry Otieno from Mathare clinic, Peter Macharia from Eastlands and Precious Wanjiku from Ngewe clinic. The three have been part of the SRF programs at different stages and we believe that they would be the best provide firsthand experience that would benefit the students. Their firsthand life experiences would inspire the beneficiaries and encourage them to repurpose their academic journey.

Kerry Otieno has just concluded his studies at Mpesa Academy Foundation where he excelled in both curricular and co-curricular activities. He is set to join Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom on a rugby scholarship. He encouraged the beneficiaries to always do their best, “Always do your best, understand that your best is not equal to another person’s best.” Kerry added.  He also asked them to avoid overthinking especially during exams.

David Macharia is currently at The University of Nairobi pursuing Architecture. He cited his mother as his motivating factor. He recounted of the sacrifices his mother has made in order to see him have the best life at home and in school; according to Macharia, his hard work and diligence in life is a way of appreciating his mother’s efforts. He urged the beneficiaries to find at least one aspect of their lives that can provide them the zeal and motivation to become better persons in their lives.

Precious Wanjiku is set to join form 3 at Kathiani Secondary School. She is the current Chairperson for the Science Club in her school. Being a student, we are hoping that most students would relate to her story, She advised her peers to have a clear plan written down and urged them not to be afraid to take part in activities that the school offers to them.

We intend to continue encouraging peer to peer mentorship, we believe that they will become a source of inspiration, that they could inspire one another and start a culture of molding each others character to become better citizens in the future.