"We will walk with our Students until they finish University" -Francis Ng'ang'a Country Director KEF

Yes, good morning. Welcome back. Hashtag is still in the morning. My good name is James John. On social media, you can find me at James John. Remember go to our social media at the White 54 channel. Make sure you join on the conversation as well. We're going to put up a discussion post. So, make sure you don't miss that conversation. Also, share your thoughts. Then I'll be reading some of the sample comments as we go on. But for now, we're just going to switch gears really. Not really switch gears, but even relate what Brian Sakwa just said, a conversation about. We're going to talk about now bridging education and also readiness to career. That is career readiness. Remember, there's a lot of conversation going on with the new model, that is the CBC. What what you want to see, what the focus on. Is it really on the career or just getting the papers and maybe what after what happens after you getting the papers, cuz there's a lot a lot a lot into unpack on and to help me discuss and also to get insights and also to learn more on this. I'm joining you by one and only Francis Nganga, who is the country country director at KEF, which is a Kenya Education Fund. So, just want to get more insight. But for now, let me introduce him and say good morning. >> Thank you very much and good morning, John. Uh as as you've said, my name is Francis Nganga. Uh a proud alumni of Kenya Education Fund and also the current country director. >> Now, before we even get to the conversation, I was looking at maybe the old model. I'll call it the old model. There was that like like a exit ramp. Maybe from form four, you get the paper. From even back then, we had the form six. Even the university, you get the paper. Maybe it was easier. After getting the paper, you know the direction that you're going to go. You're going to follow up the career that you've done in school. But for now, I I things are very different. A lot of young people are explaining it rather saying after after completing the the education they are eating a maybe even a a cliff. They say there's no no there's no direction to go with. But what's what's your view on it? Do you think do you think maybe back then it was way easier than it is right now or the system are just the same? It's only the circumstances that are different right now. >> Uh I think When I was growing up I was privileged to to be in a system where we were still doing home science, woodwork, art and craft, music. And then at some point that was scrapped off. And now we we indulged into real 8-4-4 which turned to be competitive. It became about grades, not learning the skills. So students stopped learning. They started passing exams. And you can get an A but with the with the wrong mindset an A will not take you anywhere. Yeah. So I think it is that shift. And at some point I feel the government felt there was there was there was a gap gray area and that's how CBE was born. Yeah. >> And of course now being this new generation about new technology upskilling is very important getting the skills not rather than being having than having just the knowledge that you on a certain subject. But there's somebody who asked me about the difference between schooling and education. And I don't know how to to put it but I just want to get your opinion on it. Do you what's the difference between being schooled and also being educated? >> Uh for me I feel being educated is getting the right information for your profession. And as you talk about uh the the modern times of technology. >> Mhm. >> Uh what I would like to tell young people, I know there's a lot of conversation about AI. >> Mhm. >> But if you don't have a professional career, >> Mhm. >> uh how are you going to use AI? >> Yeah. >> So you need to first have a professional career, >> Mhm. >> add technology, >> Mhm. >> and then put human skills into it. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. You can go and learn uh communication. >> Mhm. >> But if you do not learn how to speak publicly or write properly, communication >> Won't you? >> degree will just be a paper. >> Yeah. >> So you have, as you've mentioned, upskill yourself. >> Mhm. >> And this, in most cases, happens when there's the right mentorship as well. >> Mhm. >> Are you aligning yourself with the people in your professional career? >> Mhm. >> Are you Do you want to be a doctor, >> Mhm. >> but you have never stayed with a doctor for a whole day in a hospital? >> Mhm. >> And and that is something we call job shadowing. Go Go and spend time with that person you want to be in future. >> Yeah. >> And as you study, ensure that it is not always that you need to be paid. Sometimes go and volunteer. >> Mhm. >> Share your time. >> Mhm. >> But as you share your time, you are learning important skills that will help you in future. And then now you add technology. >> Mhm. Then they will go and and and but now before we get to that conversation, maybe let's let's rewind it back and get to KEF. I would just want to know more about KEF. What is it exactly is KEF? And what exactly maybe was your mission and who do you mostly serve? >> Okay. Uh Kenya Education Fund exist to support high school students >> Mhm. >> uh throughout high school. And we also extend one year of university and we provide this support through full scholarship with other auxiliary programs like mentorship, life skills and entrepreneurship skills. We we we have several workshops for students just to try and have conversations that are not necessarily covered in school. Other than that KEF has been in existence for the last 25 years and this is our 25th year. We've been privileged to support more than 4,600 students across the country and we don't we we actually support any student who qualifies within the country. Yeah. Currently we are working with around 130 high schools in Kenya and last week we just had a very good conversation with some of the teachers from those schools here in Nairobi who support us in terms of uh follow-ups and taking care of our student while they're in schools. >> You've mentioned you have supported about 4,000 students across across the country. So I just want to get more about the selection process maybe for a needy student. How does he does he or she find himself or herself in >> The students can access our application form from our website uh which is kenyaeducationfund.org. And those who are around Nairobi, Thika, Muranga and Kiambu they can even come to our office and get physical application forms. Now after that once they send back the application form of course there is a screening the forms to make sure that they are authentic that the student themselves applied and then all our our preliminary selection is done in US. So, we share that so that these people don't know any names or where these kids come from. They're able to look at the application and learn from the application. Once they give that that first selection list, now we go to the ground and we do one-on-one conversation with the student. >> Now, after I just want to get to know maybe after the the the sponsorship has has ended maybe from the high school then a bonus from the first year at college. What's next for the student? >> In in fact, immediately they complete form four, we normally have a workshop we call career readiness and then entrepreneurship workshop. During that workshop, they all join the alumni association which is an independent organization. Uh when they join alumni association, they're able to network and start getting mentorship from their elders, those who already got their sponsorship, completed university, and they're now working. Yeah. >> So, it's all the sponsorship then you get to the education about career readiness from the mentors. Very very very amazing. Now, you know, a lot of assumption is from parents really. You know, it's about after they pay their fees is when they're done with everything. They just assume everything will be ready cuz they just assume the only barrier is in education is just paying the fees then you'll be done. But can you really explain and say that the only barrier that is limiting most of the students rather than you being there to support you. You have you have interacted with most of them. You have supported most of them. You have seen the barriers. But most of the the the biggest assumption is the only barrier is education. But can you say that? >> Uh being at school physics one thing >> Mhm. >> But then we are we are living in a very dynamic world right now. >> Mhm. >> The student apart from reading chemistry >> Mhm. >> they need to learn about communication. They need to learn about problem-solving, decision-making, leadership. Right now we are having issues with leadership a lot. >> Mhm. >> So we have also to talk to them about leadership. >> Mhm. >> Uh another segment that parents are ignoring is mental health and wellness. >> Mhm. >> We are I I I met a friend of mine uh 2 days ago and he showed me a message. >> Mhm. >> Uh the student uh goes to Mangu High School. >> Mhm. >> But he wrote to the father telling him he's not okay. He's not mentally well. He doesn't feel like he fits in Mangu High School. >> Mhm. >> He even have suicidal thoughts. And I told him because he has put it in writing >> Mhm. >> uh uh pay attention to that. Don't ignore. >> Mhm. >> Have a sitting with your boy and agree what is necessary steps. >> Mhm. >> If Mangu is not working for him >> Mhm. >> Think about >> maybe it's the path that with the new system I believe that when they go to the junior secondary school is when they start now to choose their career path. Do you think because of maybe from parents' influence maybe they can find themselves choosing the wrong career path which is they are not interested in. >> Of course. Of course. Uh we still have uh parents who are fixed with the traditional courses. >> Mhm. >> Lawyer, engineer, doctor. You know. And they forget that career path are extremely many. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> If a parent a kid tells parent they want to be a DJ >> Mhm. >> They are not never taken serious. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. If you tell them I just want to be a good salonist. >> Mhm. >> Or a good fashion designer. They don't see that as a career. >> Mhm. >> But in real sense, right now as we speak, we actually starting to appreciate those other careers that were never seen as important. >> Mhm. >> So, it is good to learn the interest of the of the child >> Mhm. >> and know how you will nurture that interest. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Maybe during the workshop, you mentioned something about workshop. Is there some is there conversation that you normally talk about maybe not only with the college students also with the young young kids who are joining the the junior secondaries who are maybe from grade nine transitioning from grade nine to grade 10. Maybe is that a conversation that you lead on before even they choose their career path so that they can just be ready when they step out of the education system. >> So, our student to interact them now currently from grade 10. >> Mhm. >> So, we start those conversation in grade 10. >> Mhm. >> That probably you join this career path, these are the options you have. >> Mhm. >> I think they're calling they're calling it learning areas these days. So, when you you choose this path >> Mhm. >> these are the possibilities of the careers that you can have. >> Mhm. >> So, we want them to be exposed and to start thinking about it as early as grade 10. >> Mhm. >> So, that by the time they are getting to grade 12, it's very clear >> Mhm. >> what they really want to do. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. And I can tell you because for the first time I interacted with grade 10 this time, >> Mhm. >> these kids are more confident. >> Mhm. >> They are bold and they are asking questions. >> Mhm. >> Which I think it's a good thing that has come out of CBE. >> Mhm. >> They are before for months are were shy. >> Yeah. >> It took us a lot of time to break the ice and to to have them engaging. >> Maybe what's the difference by then? What what what's the difference that I can say that caused maybe this new generation is very very bold. They can just go and ask whatever is whatever is whatever is in their mind. They can just speak their mind. But compared to what we had back then, what is was it the beat in the what did you say? But >> I think the environment was a bit harsh. But I would say that currently they're employing more human-centered design. >> Mhm. >> Uh, where teachers are are trying to have these kids have conversations. >> Mhm. >> Uh, solve problems. >> Mhm. >> So, it is no no longer about going to a certain chapter, reading about it, and doing the exam for it. >> Mhm. >> It's it's more about is this making sense >> Mhm. >> for you. >> Mhm. >> And I think that has made the student be able to ask questions when they don't get it. It's a beautiful thing. I think I had a good time >> Yeah. >> interacting with them. >> Interacting with them both. Now, maybe where does Now, the difference is you know CBC and the other 8-4-4 model was way different. So, how does does KEF now support both of these systems the same way? >> Uh, first of all, we work with uh, Kenyan secondary public secondary schools. >> Mhm. >> Uh, some of the big names we work with them. >> Mhm. >> So, our support is directly to the student through the school. >> Uh-huh. >> Right now, uh, I just came to learn is that the needs for the CBE are quite high. >> Mhm. >> And I was shocked when I was interacting with the teachers with the kind of resources they need in order to educate these young young kids. And I wondered if most parents will actually hack it. >> Mhm. >> It's going to be very expensive affair. >> Mhm. >> For for them to uh educate this kid fully in CB. >> Yeah. >> First of all, I can tell you is that I I've I've I've I've seen the curriculum of CB. >> Mhm. >> And it's it's a beautiful guide. >> Mhm. >> I think if it is implemented fully, >> Mhm. >> it's a it's going to be something beautiful for our for our nation. >> the next generation, of course. >> I've seen it's more focused on the career base. >> Yes. >> But I think compared to the 8-4-4, 8-4-4 is always more strategic. >> Exactly. >> your step by step by step by step. But for CBC is way what you what you feel like you're strongest in, you're going to focus on that. >> KEF KEF of course supports both the students, but I just want to get to know more about now where where does does this support you have mentioned about your mentorship? >> Yes. >> Now, after mentorship does you maybe employ some of these does you maybe get some of these students and bring them to to your organization? >> Uh 70% of our work force is KEF student. >> Mhm. >> I was a student, class of 2009. >> Maybe what was your experience? >> and I I was in Technical University. >> Mhm. >> And immediately I graduated, I I didn't feel I wanted to go back to Eldoret. >> Mhm. >> Uh you know, once you get to a big city, you are like, "Okay, >> want to get out of the city. >> am I going back to the rural area or what?" >> Mhm. >> So, I an opportunity came up >> Mhm. >> uh at KEF. It It just happened it was expanding. >> Mhm. >> Uh it was merging with another organization and the workload was becoming more. So, >> Mhm. >> I I started at a very low low post in KEF. >> Mhm. >> And I grew from there all the way to the country director. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> So, that's that's an opportunity that you're building for most of the students who are getting out of college and also >> with uh companies and industries to provide students with internships. >> Mhm. >> And job shadowing as I as I said. >> Mhm. >> And some of them they don't have to get paid. What we do in K F if a student get internship and they get to us, they say they are not paying me, we can assist in facilitating transport and maybe meals and stuff like that. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Okay, now getting back to the to the topic of discussion of course talking about now bridging this education and also career readiness. Maybe what can you say is the main gap that you have seen as also as the organization KEF have seen and I've seen now this is a gap between the maybe what can you say? Is the education being taught or is it the the after after classroom after classroom ascended? >> I think as we mentioned earlier the gap is actually skills. >> Mhm. >> It is true in Africa Kenya is placed very well in terms of education access but when when you talk about skills >> Mhm. >> I have issues when we have an opportunity and I'm interviewing people. >> Mhm. >> They don't even know how to present themselves. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> And that's why we engage our student in these lessons of how to interview >> Mhm. >> how to negotiate >> Mhm. >> and how to even prepare your CV. >> Mhm. >> Most young people because of the age of AI >> Mhm. >> are just copy pasting from chat GPT sending it to you. They don't even remove the caption. >> Mhm. >> So >> Oh, this that's the down caption there. >> This version you do you know >> Yeah, can I make it more yeah. >> They don't remove it and they posted it meaning they were doing it in a hurry. Yeah. Uh number two is ignoring some of the skills that I you are like you're strong in. I'll give you an example with me. I I started playing Taekwondo in 2002. And up until today I'm still actively in Taekwondo both in Taekwondo politics and training people. But for a long time I didn't know I can make money from Taekwondo. Until recently. So now I started you know it is true I can go and teach kids in a school and I get paid. And I asked myself, okay. Yeah, all those years I struggled even in a technical university to survive. Because it's a it's it's a big employer. I have employed three young men. To just do Taekwondo. And they are very they are very happy about it. Yeah. So sometimes you are very strong at something. But then we forget that it can also provide a livelihood for us. Yeah. If you are a good swimmer. Right now we are in the age of CBE. Go to those schools. Those schools need swimming coaches. They need Taekwondo masters. They need athlete professionals. So CBE has also opened a market for talented young people. And they need to start seeing it that way. Yeah. There are so many schools these days that are teaching robotics. Yeah. Robotics is the era of AI. Who are these teaching robotics? I don't think I can teach robotics. I don't think I can study robotics and I teach robotics. It's young people who can who can do this. So, it is about the the word that we use mostly, jitume. I think also young people are not >> They're not even doing that. Maybe we are mentioning something about AI and that there's a lot of people have interacted with it because it's the next big thing. Uh because of the technology innovation that is going on. Of course, AI. You must You must be uh You must be conversant with AI technology. But, do you think it's making a lot of young kids, maybe maybe even young people, even young students, maybe lazier compared to what we had back there in back in the day? >> It is true. It is making people lazier. I've interacted with professors and they're doing they're they're doing the exams with ChatGPT. When they're given assignments, they want to do their project with ChatGPT. So, it is making them lazier and that will translate even to workforce. Eventually, when they get to interviews, we will have people who cannot solve problem. They want to solve it with AI. But, we we we must also look at the countries that got there first. And what experiences they're having. Because right now they have scientific data. Yeah? Uh some countries are removing gadgets from classroom and going back to the old ways. Why is Why is that? So, Kenya, we have to be a bit cautious. I know we are big consumers of information, technology, and everything. But, we have to think about those who've been there before us. What are they experiencing with that technology they've had? >> I think for me, I think AI actually limiting innovation, also creativity from a lot of students from They have the capacity they have the capability and all the potential to do something great but they I think they lack of believing in yourself and also relying more on the technology. >> It's over-reliance on technology. >> Mhm. >> And our technology it is still limited I must say. We have a lot of access because of our phones and gadgets but uh we we must also ask ourselves is this technology available in universities? >> Mhm. >> And how is it being used or being taught? Because I think the moment funding was taken away from universities a lot of things are not working. Yeah. And we are ending up being a conveyor belt churning out degrees and degrees without skills as I said. Yeah. >> Uh maybe is there is there a conversation that you have with the students about AI technology? >> Yes. >> How are you educating them and maybe what's the reception from the students? >> We make it deliberate. We make it deliberate and we actually bring even people who are thriving and those and those who have suffered because of technology and it could be as easy as social media what you post. We bring people who've actually suffered because of social media. Either because they went for an interview the employers checked what they've been posting and they were like you're not fit for >> You're not fit for a job. >> Yeah. So uh we we make it very intentional to talk about technology and social media and we want them to know it is possible to thrive with technology. Yeah. >> Uh maybe have you have you ever seen maybe a a student fall off because of this influence because of technology and also the new digital era that the platforms, the social media platforms, the the Instagrams and all the all of those all of those sort. >> Uh I wouldn't say uh yes. >> Mhm. >> Because of the kind of background of our our student come from, most of them cannot afford even smartphones and stuff like that. But we partner with Chiromo Group Hospital which deals with the issue of mental health and everything. >> Mhm. >> And one of the things that is making our young people depressed and feeling suicidal is social media. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Because as you said our student think everything can be solved with technology. So when they have an issue, they go and post. And when you post there's somebody there who is also dealing with their own issue. They'll tell you, "Oh, I will buy you the rope. You go hang yourself." Yeah. So social media in Kenya we have a lot of access. >> Yeah. >> But it will not solve our problem. I always say it is technology then the human. >> The human. >> The human came first. >> Yeah. >> So you should not put not put the the technology before what you can do. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Uh maybe uh talking about now you mentioned something about technical skills and also getting to know more about your technical skills. And you have seen it even in the job spaces where employers now they're preferring people with technical technical skills rather than coming with just with your papers but you cannot do anything uh cannot offer any any type of skills. Do you think that's the main reason why now people are even dropping out of schools and focusing on uh other other other things rather than going to school apart from the now with the with the lack of funding in schools. >> Yeah. >> I would say in a thriving city like Nairobi young people want to make money. >> Mhm. >> So if you are able to do a course for 6 months, >> Mhm. >> and you start your job immediately, or 1 year, 2 years, like a short course that is relevant to the industry. >> Mhm. >> Yeah? >> Mhm. >> Even construction, uh we are going to an era where they will want you to have papers. Because they want to know someone who can understand the safety of a construction site. >> Mhm. >> Yeah? So, technical skills are becoming popular, and even K F we are we've opened a window where those students, maybe you did a degree program long time ago, you not gotten a job, but you feel like you can do carpentry and joinery, or welding, >> Mhm. >> or solar installation. >> Mhm. >> Yeah? Those are courses that uh less than 1 year. >> Mhm. >> Yeah? And they will give you jobs immediately. >> Mhm. >> I know you have a hot shower in your house. >> Mhm. >> Yeah? >> Mhm. >> It is an extremely simple thing to install. >> Mhm. >> But you call someone to install that. >> to come a plumber just come to fix. >> They will charge you not less than 1,000. >> Yeah, true. >> A job that I also take like 10 minutes to fix. >> Mhm. >> Yeah? They charge you more than 1,000. >> Mhm. >> So, it's a skill that if you have it, >> Mhm. >> you are likely not to suffer a lot in university. And university is going to be expensive after university. >> Mhm. >> Our president said it's going to be free. >> Mhm. >> Even college will be free. >> Mhm. >> But this will be a loan that you'll need to pay. >> Yeah. >> So, you'll be starting your life with a loan of 1 1 million plus. >> Uh-huh. >> Yeah? >> Uh-huh. >> Uh that is a tall order. >> Mhm. >> It is a tall order. >> Mhm. Uh maybe there maybe that's a big gap by the way. Now, who is maybe responsible to fill this type of gap? Is it the school, or is it the government, or is it the parents, or maybe is it an organization like this? >> Uh The backbone is with the government. It's the responsibility of the government to educate its people. >> Mhm. >> And people like us come in to just bridge the gap. >> Mhm. >> So, in other words, we are like supporters of what the government is doing. >> Mhm. >> But now, the level of need is very high. >> Mhm. >> Uh a while ago, you will agree with me that high school was still expensive than university. >> Mhm. >> Because university people are paying around 16,000, 18,000 per semester. >> Yeah. >> High school has always been about 40,000 per year. >> Mhm. >> So, it was expensive than university. >> Mhm. >> And now, it's more and it's going to get extreme. There are schools right now they're charging more than 100,000. >> Yeah. I've seen that. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Parents are struggling. >> Mhm. >> And I think something has to be done about high school. >> Mhm. >> And the fees that are being charged there. >> Mhm. Now, uh you've mentioned you said about you it's your 25th year. So, you started in 2001. >> Yes. >> So, throughout the years, maybe now with the new funding model, the new education funding model, I is this is the same are you going to the same system or are you trying something different? >> Um we are still going to work with the uh public high schools. >> Mhm. >> So, we are still going to use the same the same uh route. >> Mhm. >> Uh we will still support our student for the first year in university, regardless of how that support will look like. If there's no fees, we are going to do the others. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> And uh what we've decided is that we will work with our student until they clear university. And we have a very high pass rate. >> Mhm. >> Uh more than 80% of our students go to university. Mhm. So, we want to work with them. Mhm. This This week on Thursday and Friday we are meeting our second years. Mhm. And we are bringing in people and also all the students of KIE to come and tell them how their path has been. Mhm. How they succeeded and what are the things to look out when you're in second year. Mhm. And we'll do the same with third years. Until now when there's a transition now from uh Institute of Higher Learning Mhm. to workforce. Mhm. What are the things they need to look out? And we'll we invite even HR professionals Mhm. to tell them what they're looking for. Mhm. Because as we speak about AI selection during uh job application is being sorted by AI. Yeah. So So, meaning there are keywords that the Oh, the hire really looks for. Is looking for. But who knows about these? It's the HR who are selecting. Mhm. So, they need to be aware. They need to be aware what the industry is looking for. >> Mhm. And do you believe maybe in the selection process maybe in the employment process in the selection of the of the because of most of the CVs have been analyzed by the AI technology. Do you think Do you believe maybe the old way of writing the CVs is also also affecting the selection cuz you may be good maybe qualified and all that, but you might miss a key detail when writing a CV and it may you cost you cost you even get the application to go through. >> Yeah, I I I think the old way of writing CVs is no is no longer very relevant in the modern job application and that's why we we are talking about upskilling. There are so many free courses online. Just go online. Mhm. Go to Coursera. Look for courses on CV writing. Mhm. >> The Uh as we said, technology can can have it its vices. >> Mhm. >> But, it's also a stronghold of information. >> Mhm. >> Use technology properly, you'll get this information. Before you go for a job interview, >> Mhm. >> prepare properly. >> Mhm. >> Use the same AI >> Mhm. >> to help you prepare for that interview. >> Mhm. >> So, it's not all bad. >> Mhm. >> I think there's a lot good >> Mhm. >> with technology. >> Yeah. >> There's a lot good. >> Yeah. >> And there's a lot good even when we attach it with our career. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Because if you're an accountant, >> Mhm. >> if you introduce technology, >> Mhm. >> it makes your work easier. >> Mhm. >> You don't have multiple entries. >> Mhm. >> You enter once, the AI does the rest. >> Mhm. >> So, as I said, professional career, >> Mhm. >> you add technology, and then you include human skills. >> Mhm. >> You'll go far. >> Uh do you believe maybe that's the reason why the the employers are really rather than telling telling their current employers, "Just upskill yourself, then >> Yeah. >> you maintain the same position or go to a bit a better position, rather than even going for newcomers in the in the job market." Cuz they believe that the newcomers are more of the AI graduates. >> Yeah. >> So, that's how they put it. >> It is true. It is true. And if you give a a Gen Z a a task, >> Mhm. >> once they're done, they don't see the reason to keep staying in the office. So, they're they're task-oriented and they're goal-oriented. >> Mhm. >> Uh more than the old school kind of working. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> I I think it is a good thing because it will give them more opportunities. >> Mhm. >> Because if you can do your job in 4 hours, >> Mhm. >> what will you be doing the rest of the 4 hours? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> You You could be doing something, or maybe even going to upskill yourself with something else. >> Mhm. >> Or maybe even get another job. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. I think Kenya and Nairobi the way we are placed >> Mhm. >> uh it is true job jobs are not there. >> Mhm. >> But people with the right skills >> Mhm. >> uh are getting connections very fast. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. It's about what you can do. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> It's not only what you have on your paper but more rather than what you can do. So, are these some of the lessons that you're teaching not only not only the graduates, the upcoming, the the grade 10s, maybe to even your aluminize from KEF themselves? Are you are you also providing the same mentorships and also the same programs to the to the the graduates and also the upcoming students? >> If you are a plumber, you need to be able to fix a pipe. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. And when an employer is employing you >> Mhm. >> they would rather you fix the pipe >> Mhm. >> than you show them the paper with the distinction. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, if you are a chef, you just need to cook. >> Mhm. >> Cook good food. >> Mhm. >> And I always say uh some of the things that uh we do >> Mhm. >> we feel like they are not enough because we don't do them to our level best. >> Mhm. >> We want to plant maize >> Mhm. >> but we want to do it the old the old way. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Just make sure you add knowledge into whatever you're doing. Do it to your level best. You'll make money. >> Mhm. >> When I was in campus uh my cousin had a garage in Gara. >> Mhm. >> Next the gate >> Mhm. >> there was this guy who was roasting maize. >> Mhm. >> And every day I will go there. >> Mhm. >> He will have two sacks of uh maganda here. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> The waste. Two sacks. Meaning all the maize has been sold. >> Mhm. >> That guy educated all his kids up to university level >> Mhm. >> with that business. >> Mhm. >> Why? Because he was doing it to his level best. >> Mhm. >> He even had customers who would who will call him. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> Because he he learned the art and he figured his market segment. >> Mhm. >> And did it to his level best. >> Mhm. >> So, I think we just need to be more proactive >> Mhm. >> in whatever we do. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> I think people are still looking out to talented young people. >> Yeah. >> I think it's all about the talents and all the skills and what you can do. Maybe for KEF now celebrating cuz I think the time is really flying now. For celebrating you're celebrating 25 years. Maybe what does it mean for the organization? >> Uh we are celebrating 25 years and what it means, especially for me, is that we we we've come of age. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. We now have alumni who are coming back and telling us, "Now assign me to student and sponsor them uh for the four years." >> Mhm. >> Yeah. That shows maturity and growth. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. The people around my community >> Mhm. >> where I live >> Mhm. >> they are able to feel my presence as an as an alumni of KEF because of the things I'm doing. >> Mhm. >> You know, when we talk about community, community starts from home. >> Mhm. >> Okay? >> Mhm. >> It starts from home. So, if I'm able to build a house for my mom, >> Mhm. >> be able to educate my nieces and my nephews, that is a community I'm changing. >> Mhm. >> And then I spread my wings to the rest of the people. >> Mhm. >> So, at 25 >> Mhm. >> we are now realizing this kind of uh changes in the community >> Mhm. >> through our students. >> Mhm. >> And that for us >> Mhm. >> is huge growth and that is success for us. >> Okay. Now, is this something that you encourage in Measley? How How do you join, by the way, after maybe after you've done you've gone through the mentorship program? How do you come back to the organization? >> As I said, the the alumni have a registered alumni association. >> Mhm. >> So, even themselves they're able to track >> Mhm. >> each other >> Mhm. >> and network among themselves. >> Mhm. >> So, a lot of them actually get jobs through the alumni network. >> Mhm. >> Uh but, we also reach out. >> Mhm. >> Uh once in a while, we will conduct a survey just to know where our students are. >> Mhm. >> So, we go year by year. We can decide, "Let's Let's check out on the 2014 >> Mhm. >> students, our graduate in 2014. Let's know where they are. And more than 65% are either running successful entrepreneurship >> Mhm. >> or are uh are well placed in the job market. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Uh now, maybe you mentioned about the mentorship and all that. But, maybe I'm just looking at a student who is not part of the the the funding the funding system. So, how does he Can he or she access the same mentorship programs? >> Yeah, I I always say our mentorship should not be limited. >> Mhm. >> And we are not in a competition with any organization when it comes to mentorship. >> Mhm. >> As long as the students are grouped >> Mhm. >> in a place >> Mhm. >> and they invite us to talk to them >> Mhm. >> or to connect them with the right people to talk to them, >> Mhm. >> uh we have a huge pool of resources when it comes to network. >> Mhm. >> And we are able to do that. >> Mhm. >> Even schools, sometimes we'll go to schools >> Mhm. >> and talk to them. >> Mhm. >> And, of course, the good opportunity for networking as well, meeting with the prominent people. >> Yes, exactly. >> Mhm. And also good way even to learn, not only about Do Do you provide the the education maybe apart from now teaching that the basic things like we are going you need to do this when you're done in school you need to do this but you provide maybe short courses on some of these the key areas and maybe the skills that they need coming the new generation also the new system of education. >> Uh we don't offer short courses. >> Mhm. >> But what we are we've done is we are starting to open that opportunity >> Mhm. >> for students who do want to pursue short courses. >> Mhm. >> And the target is mostly before they even join campus. >> Mhm. >> We want them to go to campus with skills >> Yeah. >> already. >> Mhm. >> So when they sometimes classes end on Thursday >> Mhm. >> they can move around and look for something to do. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. So I would encourage young people immediately after form four >> Mhm. >> not to waste that whole year. >> Mhm. >> They need to go and get engaged in something meaningful for them. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Uh maybe someone like you the main we spend a lot of energy giving pushing the young kids to get into universities and colleges but less energy on considering whether they get out of the of the universities or colleges with something that they can be employable with. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. Do you believe that's harsh critics or is just a fair a fair point? >> It's it's the reality we face in Kenya >> Mhm. >> because most students who go to university >> Mhm. >> don't do the courses they they wanted or intended. >> Mhm. >> It is decided for them. >> Mhm. >> And I think that it's a high time that needs to change. >> Mhm. >> Because if you go to a course that you are placed >> Mhm. >> you might not be passionate about it. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> And I have had students who will go the first semester and they want to change even though that's something they wanted but after attending those few classes they're like this is not for me and I always say that it's okay. It is okay to change. When you're 18, 19 years your possibilities are endless. Yeah. So I feel like uh first of all our placement criteria is wrong. Because we force students to do what they they did not want to. We decide for them. I think the job market and whatever is relevant for the country need to be put very clear that this is what we need university to teach because they're still teaching courses that are outdated. That are not needed in Kenya right now. We need to focus more on what is relevant for the country right now. And you mentioned about something about mentorship and I will challenge you. Go back to the primary you were studying. Yeah. Just tell them about Y 254. Yeah. I'm sure they'll be so interested to know how you got there. Go just sit with them. Go to the head teacher and tell them I just want to be I want to be talking to 10 boys. Select 10 boys for me. I will work with them for a whole year. That's what I'm doing in my rural area in my mind. I told them to select for me. Not everyone. Just 10. So that when we come we are able to sit on a tree and have conversations with them. That is motivation for them. Yeah. So mentorship is not like you come with PowerPoint presentation and everything. No. >> It's only explaining what really even explaining your career journey is is a mentorship as well. Uh maybe now winding up and finish up. Maybe what's the thought one one thought that you can leave maybe to the student. Remember they are they are students who are going to join universities, the students who are leaving they are going to graduate, and the students also who are going to sit for the exams. Maybe what's the what what's that one thought that you can leave the students who are joining who are going to sit for the exam and also who want to to to graduate in the maybe this coming December and also November. >> Uh First of all, technology is here to support us. >> Mhm. >> We, the human. >> Mhm. >> We need to take advantage of technology >> Mhm. >> in the right way. >> Mhm. >> Uh it is not an alternative >> Mhm. >> for for humans. >> Mhm. >> I always say I am human first, and then I add technology. >> Yeah, exactly. >> So, let let young people learn how to use technology meaningfully. >> Mhm. >> Um another thing is always look around you >> Mhm. >> and try to ask yourself >> Mhm. >> what problem can I solve? >> Mhm. >> Because once you know you have the problem problem-solving skills >> Mhm. >> even entrepreneurship and innovation comes from there. The moment you start asking yourself >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> When you find this table is cracked >> Mhm. >> you don't reprimand the person who broke it first. >> Mhm. >> Ask yourself, how can this be fixed? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. The moment we solve problems I think and the more we talk about innovation because we teach our student on design thinking >> Mhm. >> Which is a human-centered design >> Mhm. >> of solving problem. They just need to learn to solve problem. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Amazing conversation. Of course, the the key point is put your self first, then technology comes to help you. Not really to replace what you're doing, rather than to help and also to to to make your work more efficient and more easy. So, technology, we have to interrogate it into our work, but not really let it do everything for us. Mhm. Thank you for the insight and thank you for coming today, but because of time, I think you're just going to end the conversation there, but thank you so much, Francis Nganga. And maybe where can they get you on social media and where can they reach out maybe the organization's social media? >> Uh Kenya Education Fund is on all social. >> Mhm. >> Um I'm also on LinkedIn and uh Instagram. >> Mhm. >> You can find me, Francis Nganga. >> Mhm. >> Uh yeah. >> Mhm. >> And uh our website is very comprehensive in case somebody wants to learn more about the work we do >> Mhm. >> or want to support the work we do, they can reach out. >> At Francis Nganga and also has the website at the Kenya Kenya Education Fund in website. >> Yes. >> Mhm. Thank you so much, but we have to end it at there. We had a conversation about bridging education and also career readiness. So, if you have caught a little bit of what we'll be talking about or you have missed the conversation, make sure you go to YouTube and also we're going to upload the conversation the old conversation there. So, make sure you don't miss any bit of it, but for now, just going to say goodbye real but I enjoyed the rest of our program of your programming. My good name is James Stone on social media. You can find me at James Stone. Hashtag is still Waimo in the morning at 5:24 channel and also at Brand Spark. >> You and