By Monica Nashon
Humanitarian organizations working under the Rise Up Kenya initiative have identified mentorship, career guidance and student engagement as key interventions in tackling rising cases of unrest in schools.
Speaking during the programme, humanitarian diplomat and businessman Ambassador Dominic Obadiah said the initiative, implemented in partnership with the Alpha Queen Collective, is focused on creating lasting impact among students and communities.
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“Today I am partnering with Alpha Queen Collective on humanitarian projects that are impacting lives. Through Rise Up Kenya, we are reaching out to students and communities to find ways of helping and creating meaningful change,” said Obadiah.
The ambassador said the team faced challenges while carrying out school visits due to ongoing unrest, revealing that nine out of every 10 schools they had planned to visit were closed on the scheduled dates.
“We found that many of the challenges contributing to school unrest include disciplinary issues, career pressures and peer influence, with many students seeking platforms where they can be heard,” he said.
Alpha Queen Collective leader Karissa Adkins said the organization’s mission in Kenya is centered on mentorship, education, empowerment and humanitarian assistance.
“We are excited to be in Kisii County. We brought phenomenal leaders, entrepreneurs, healers and teachers to mentor students, teach them and give back to the community. Our focus is on community outreach, mentorship and educational empowerment,” said Adkins.
She said the initiative donated school supplies worth KSh168,000, sponsored 37 students from primary school to secondary school at a cost of KSh1,047,020, and distributed 300 reusable sanitary cups to girls at Manga Girls High School. The team also plans to distribute an additional 500 cups to girls in other schools.
Adkins added that the delegation invested in digital learning by donating laptops and helping establish computer laboratories to improve learners’ access to technology.
Despite disruptions caused by school unrest, the delegation successfully visited Cardinal Otunga High School, Manga Girls High School, Getare Girls High School and Sameta Mixed Secondary School, where students received mentorship and career guidance.
Members of the visiting delegation praised the reception they received from students and local communities.
Leanne Harrell said the enthusiasm displayed by learners left a lasting impression on the visitors.
“The way some of the students welcomed us through singing, chanting and dancing really warmed our hearts,” said Harrell.
Kerry Thomas described the experience as rewarding and said it had inspired her family to make a long-term commitment to supporting education.
“I came here to make an impact on the children, but they also made me feel at home. My husband and I have sponsored eight students and we want to support them until they graduate,” said Thomas.
The initiative also supported community development projects, including the renovation of a house for a widower who had lived in difficult conditions for 21 years and the donation of water tanks to improve access to clean water.
Obadiah said the programme demonstrates the importance of partnerships between humanitarian organizations, educational institutions and community leaders in addressing social challenges affecting young people.
He called for continued investment in mentorship, career guidance and student support programmes as a way of reducing unrest and improving learning environments in schools.
