The
Mountain Journal
A
cottage industry has been established in Kahatia market, Murang’a, equipping
youth with empowerment skills among them leather.
The
empowerment centre has been a hive of activities as youth are trained with shoe
making, ICT and Water bottling techniques earning thousands of shillings on
daily basis.
The
centre was officiated by the youthful Murarandia MCA Peter Munga Njuguna in line
with equipping the youth with entrepreneurial skills where tens of youth are
enrolled.
The
shoe making centre has over 10 youth enrolled supported with a shop where the
products are sold with prices ranging between Sh1,000 and Sh1,500.
Elizabeth
Wanja, in her 30’s says she enrolled in the leather industry seeking to get
show making skills to help uplift her living standard.
“Being
a centre offering free packages I opted to be among the first to benefit and in
the past one month have learned a lot,” said Wanja.
Leather
works trainer Ransugu Muiruri said the youth are benefitting with some having
graduated and moving to start their businesses.
He
said the products are designed for school going children, casual and official
wearer. The children’s shoes are trading at Sh1,000 down from
Sh2,200 in the retail shops.
“ The
facility is God sent as the youth interested in acquiring shoe
making are paid as they train,” said Muiruri.
Materials
used in the show making are transported from leather industries based in Njiru,
Nairobi and Kajiado.
Munga
on his part said youth empowerment has been an agenda in efforts to help bridge
the unemployment gap.
“ The
youth training are paid not below Sh 800 per day. Those working hard
get above Sh1,200,” said Munga.
In
October , Munga donated 500 pairs of shoes to PP1 pupils graduating to grade
one in a function attended by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata who hailed the
initiative.
The
youth are eying into expanding the business through opening selling points
across the wards.
At
the same time, the water bottling plant, Munga said, was designed to explore
the business opportunities in social functions.
“ We
have advertised the services of the youth across the villages. Hydro safi
springs products, is the brand used in weddings, church, and educational
functions in need to promote the youth,” said Munga.
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