The largest population in Africa today are the young people with over sixty five percent—and so it is in Kenya. This group is a representation of the majority who are unemployed, while the only avenue as recommended by the government and learning institutions for them is through entrepreneurship. Of all the entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs face a major setbacks which have shuttered many of their dreams. The biggest setback has been funding and support for their social development projects.
The Fazil Chinoy Fellowship which can be termed as the biggest social impact investment for the people of Kwale, will help young social entrepreneurs in their changemaking journeys allowing them to solely focus on achieving their dreams for the communities they love most. The Fellowship will honor the life of the late Mr Fazil Chinoy whom can’t be any happier and prouder with family led by Shehnaz Chinoy and her husband Carl Pope for this generous gesture towards young people and humanity at large. This Fellowship will support young social entrepreneurs with their projects and organizations through SambaSports Youth Agenda with two fellows awarded to it kickoff for the next three years.
SambaSports Youth Agenda’s Partnerships Advisor, Mohammed Mwachausa emphasized that the Fellowship is aimed at building capacity and improving the lives of youth in Kwale. Moreover, identifying and empowering young community leaders to explore their talents effectively. The Fellowship will also provide training, legal advice and organizational support to allow for success and sustainability of projects by the fellows.
Intellectual Literacy and Leadership Program (ILLP) and Songesha Mjane Mbele initiatives have won the Fazil Chinoy Fellowship with fellows, Amani Nuri and Mwanasha Gaserego championing them respectively. Songesha Mjane Mbele advocates for the rights of widows in the community, empowers and offers them psychosocial support—many of whom have suffered after the loss of their beloved husbands. The height of this injustice towards widows is denial of inheritance and kicking out of their matrimonial homes. “This Fellowship will help me reach and support many widows, and defend them against any form of injustice. Also help them start and sustain small businesses ,” Gaserego said.
On the other hand, Intellectual Literacy and Leadership Program (ILLP) will focus on providing vulnerable students with opportunities for scholarly growth through academic, ethical, philosophical and intellectual development by enhancing academic excellence, promoting ethical principles, multiplying the light of leadership, and inspiring creativity and Innovation among the students in Kwale. Fellow and cofounder of Organization for Creative Leadership, Amani Nuri, couldn’t help jubilating, “I am ecstatic, majorly for the students of Kwale who direly need this program to help them realize their potential.”
