Murang'a: A Murang'a-based Sacco has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering students from poor backgrounds through a mentorship programme before joining institutions of higher learning. The Chief Executive Officer of Amica Sacco, Dr. James Mbui, has promised that the Sacco will expand the programme, dubbed Vuka, to reach more students across Murang'a County and beyond.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking during the graduation ceremony for cohorts 3 and 4 of the mentorship programme, themed 'Unleash Your Potential. Dominate,' Mbui noted that the Sacco will continue investing in youth development as part of its long-term strategy to transform communities. 'As a company that has thrived for decades through innovation, discipline, and service, we remain committed to empowering our youth because they are the most significant investment we can ever make,' said Mbui.
The Vuka Mentorship Programme, launched in 2020, targets top-performing students from public-day secondary schools in Murang'a County, selected with support from the Ministry of Education. The students are attached to various Amica Sacco branches for a three-month mentorship period, where they receive guidance on life skills such as financial literacy, stress management, relationships, and career development. Each mentee is paired with two mentors; a Branch Manager and a Head of Department and receives a monthly stipend during the training.
Mbui noted that the programme has so far benefited 142 students across the four cohorts. He praised the mentors and partners for their commitment, saying their guidance has produced confident, responsible, and visionary young leaders. 'The Sacco has used roughly Sh. 20 million to facilitate the programme. Each cohort spends Sh. 5 million. The main purpose of the mentorship is to equip the students with life skills before they join universities. You have not just trained them; you have transformed them,' Mbui told the mentors, adding, 'When opportunity meets guidance, great things happen.'
He further commended the Sacco's Board of Directors for continuously approving and funding the programme and thanked the County Director of Education for helping identify deserving students. The CEO encouraged the graduating students to uphold discipline, integrity, and resilience as they pursue higher education and career goals. 'The world ahead of you is full of opportunities, but it will not hand you success, you must reach for it, earn it, and own it,' he advised. 'Let your character be stronger than your circumstances. Lead with purpose, think boldly, and stay grounded in your values,' Mbui added.
The CEO assured that Amica Sacco would sustain and expand the mentorship programme, emphasising that the initiative has become a cornerstone of the Sacco's corporate social investment agenda. 'The Vuka Mentorship Program will continue to grow, reaching more youths, more students, and more dreams until every young person knows that with the right support, they too can cross over,' he affirmed. Mbui disclosed that each student is attached to a mentor even after they conclude the programme to ensure they are assisted and guided when faced with various challenges as they pursue their studies.
One of the beneficiaries of the Vuka programme, Jeremiah Macharia, said they have been equipped with skills that have helped them to adapt to university life successfully. 'This programme has helped me since after I cleared my secondary education, I was engaged and exposed to the working environment and taught various skills which will continue helping in my life,' he added.