It’s Saturday, 22nd February 2025, at around 11 a.m., and Anthony Ominde is preparing to leave his rented house in Lucky Summer Estate in Nairobi. A few minutes past noon, Anthony started a 6-kilometer walking journey to International Youth Fellowship Headquarters, next to USIU University in Nairobi.
Tony as his peers popularly know him was not so sure about the venue direction, but would ask around and luckily, he found another young man who was heading to the college and was familiar with the area terrains. The two rubbed shoulders until they reached their destination. Along the way, as they approached the IFY HQs, Tony and his colleague joined a huge crowd of youth from all walks of life who were determined to gain knowledge, also heading to Mahainaim College.
Following his registration for the IYF free weekend academy, Tony was clear in his mind about what he was going to pursue, he went straight to the driving school tent where he was orientated.
Like Tony, other youths on Saturday afternoon also participated in the 8th Cohort of the IYF Free Weekend Academy.
However, the 8th Cohort saw a record 20,000 youths register and attend the orientation exercise at the college headquarters.
The IYF Free Weekend Academy offers 31 skill-based courses.
Some of the free courses offered are Plumbing, news production, Beauty and Hairdressing, Catering, Camera Operations, theology, Computer packages, carpentry, Fashion, hospitality, photography and videography , automotive repair, and Graphic Design.
The IYF has also introduced its new courses; Driving, English, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Driving school alone was attended by over 2500 youths.
The courses take three months to complete with the best students receiving a scholarship to further their education at Mahanaim College.
Speaking at the orientation ceremony, Ms. Emily Maina, Director of Youth Social Development at the Ministry of Youth Affairs, acknowledged the role of public-private partnerships in driving youth empowerment.
“As the Ministry of Youth and Economy, our mandate is to equip young people with the skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset they need to thrive. While the government plays a central role, we cannot do it alone. That is why partnerships with organizations like IYF are essential in bridging the skills gap and expanding opportunities for Kenyan youth,” said Ms. Maina.
After a successful orientation, Tony and the other students left the venue happily and ready to start a new journey of a skilled-based education.
Since its inception in 2007, the IYF Free Weekend Academy has trained and certified over 60,000 graduates.
