Nyeri Initiative Launched to Empower Boys, Calls for Government Support

Nyeri, Kenya: Non-governmental organizations focused on youth welfare in Nyeri County are calling for enhanced government support in their efforts to empower the boy child, addressing a perceived imbalance in youth development.

According to Kenya News Agency, Pastor Alice Theuri, founder of Orphan Reach Network, a Nyeri-based NGO that assists orphans and rehabilitates street children, emphasized the need for balanced youth development. She pointed out that while affirmative action for girls has been beneficial, it has inadvertently led to boys being overlooked. Pastor Theuri is advocating for collective action from both national and county governments to support initiatives that offer equal opportunities to both boys and girls.

The call for support was made during the launch of a boys’ empowerment forum in Nyeri town on Saturday. The event marked a significant step in the organization’s mission, as eight teenage boys from needy backgrounds were inducted into the program. These beneficiaries will receive counseling, life skills mentorship, and financial assistance for their education, including school fees for the first term of 2024 and funding for their initial school term shopping.

Pastor Theuri expressed the organization’s commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of these boys, hoping to inspire positive changes within the community. “We want to walk with the boy child and, if we can, pull even one boy to change the life of our community,” she stated.

David Ndung’u, one of the beneficiaries and an orphan, shared his gratitude for the program, which has provided him not only with financial aid but also a supportive community. Ndung’u, who faced challenges in completing his secondary education due to financial constraints, now sees a brighter future ahead. “I am very grateful because my family was not in a position to support me to complete my education. I am also happy because I have found a new family and when I become successful, I will join the organization and give back to society,” he said.

The initiative demonstrates a growing recognition of the importance of nurturing and supporting all youth, regardless of gender, to ensure balanced and inclusive development within communities.