Kenyan youth on demonstrations and employment
Zablon Wanjala has been a leader in the CES Alumni group, and is now a teacher. CES Canada Chair Carl Friesen asked Zablon to give his assessment of the future facing Kenyan youth.
Young people constitute the largest proportion of Africa’s population and mostly they and as a demographic group are most affected by the country's social-economic and political development. Almost 16 million young Africans are unemployed and more than 40% of young Africans consider their current living situation bad. More than 60% of youth think that the government are not addressing the need of young people. In Kenya, for instance, young graduates are not represented well and remain marginalised and excluded in the development process. This has pushed them to take part in demonstrations as they try to change a political system that is perceived to be incompetent and responsible for daily suffering.
THE LIVES OF CES STUDENTS IN RURAL AREAS
Most of the CES Canada students live in rural areas. When I think of their lives, I shed tears especially this rainy season. Roads are muddy, shelter is poor, and there is no lightning at all.
Most of them have suffered silently due to health problems like malaria,TB, HIV/AIDS, and not forgetting to mention drugs and substances abuse. The most affected group is young girls. These problems have forced many school age girls to drop out of school at a tender age. It should be noted that early pregnancy among girls is very high. Retrogressive, archaic and out-dated cultural practices contribute to these.
CES Canada has really helped in this. Being one of the CES beneficiaries, we have been supported with fresh water, mosquito nets, and solar panels -- and our school fees have been paid.
Though employment is still major problems, a section of CES Canada alumni are graduates. We thank you for your continuous support though still needs more support. We say “asante sana” -- thank you so much -- to CES Canada. Our lives are on you, we live because of you, we shine because of you.
Zablon Wanjala
(CES Canada alumni)
