First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Thursday evening unveiled a unique mentorship programme that empowers the youth to confidently reject all retrogressive practices, behaviours and ideas that are obstacles to realizing their full potential.
During the event, Margaret listed substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, vulgarity, aggression and violence as some of the risky and unmanageable behaviours that distract the youth and children
from concentrating in morally upright and ethical lifestyles .
The new mentorship programme is the brainchild of the National
Assembly Lady Spouses Association of Kenya (Nalsa(K) which brings together lady spouses of the members of Parliament
under the leadership of Jackie Kiaraho who is the
organization’s
national
Chair-person.
The First Lady launched the new mentorship programme during a colourful Gala Dinner-cum fundraiser organized by Nalsa(K) in a Nairobi hotel.
The First lady, also the patron of Nalsa,
said
the new mentorship programme
comes at a time when many Kenyan youth and children
had been rendered socially insecure in their quest for media-defined ideals.
“More and more of our children’s futures are being compromised. Substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, vulgarity and violence all eat away at our children’s lives”, said the First Lady.
She asked politicians to stop their perennial wrangling and bitters exchanges in public and serve as role models to the youth and children.
The First Lady said it was disheartening to hear children regale in stories about the behaviours of members of parliament.
“I urge you to care not just about what they are becoming in life but to also care about
who
they are becoming too—as friends, as citizens and as human beings. I urge all Kenyans to pursue the holistic development of their children”, she said.
Besides Nalsa members, others at the Gala Dinner included members of parliament, governors’ spouses and members of the business community.
The First Lady also presided over a fundraiser where she pledged to give Sh 1 (one) million to enable Nalsa roll out the mentorship programme across the counties. Each of the Nalsa members has contributed Sh 120,000
towards the programme.