CES interns: leaders of tomorrow

CES Interns play an important role in the life of our outreach to Kenya. Bright and eager to learn, they motivate others in secondary schools to achieve their best.

Not all CES graduates are invited to become interns. First, they are required to earn a B+ or higher in the national KCSE exams. That places them in the top 10% of their peers. Prior to entering university, they will then spend five months at their former school as peer mentors and teacher assistants. They are paid a modest stipend, where half goes towards living expenses and the other half is saved for post-secondary school fees.

Eight CES Leadership Programme participants received refurbished laptops in June 2024 to help them complete their coursework. CESCED Principal Patricia Makori is in the front row, left; CES Canada Chair Carl Friesen is in the back row, left.

In addition, CES Interns are required to study in the CESCED Leadership program. This is a one-year diploma program covering the essentials of leadership training and the values, attitudes and skills that are critical for their success.

Interns have been a crucial part of the CES outreach team. By selecting interns, we are providing valuable learning and development opportunities to young people starting out on their careers and looking for that first critical experience. But we benefited massively too - internships are a wonderful way to draw new talent, fresh perspectives and energy into our program.

Many have gone on to build successful careers in the public health, education, scientific research or NGO sectors. Others have gone into the media, government, academia or medicine. All of them are making a difference. 

These are the leaders of the future. We are proud of them all. In a few months they will be full time students in higher learning. They will move to various locations throughout Kenya; yet, they will always remain a part of the CES Family.

2024 CES Interns are: Yusuf Efumbi, Andrew Namunyu, Ramadhan Kifworo, Lucy Adhiambo, Nancy Chitechi, Glorious Sinyonyera, Faith Shisunu, and Hanningtone Odhiambo. Faith is working in the CES office helping Admin Office Manager Sarah Nabongo. The rest have returned to their respective schools.

The CES Internship program was established in 2016 and since then, 72 Interns have participated and made their own valued contributions to schools and students in western Kenya.

Patricia N. Makori,

Principal of the CES School of Continuing Education