KCDF Newsletter, February 2025
March 17, 2025
Boys’ Mentorship Programme launched at Highway Secondary School
March 19, 2025
On 12th March 2025, KCDF, in partnership with NCBA Bank, launched the MENTENDA mentorship programme at Upperhill Secondary School in Nairobi, Kenya. MENTENDA, a brainchild programme by KCDF, is geared towards mentoring boys as they transition into manhood.
While boys often receive minimal attention in society regarding empowerment and capacity-building, this initiative transfers valuable life and social skills to high school male students, ensuring they can effectively take on their male roles as they mature. The ultimate long-term goal of MENTENDA is to see young boys become men of honour who recognise and unlock their potential to become leaders in various areas of influence. Through this process, the students will embody confidence, responsibility, and a commitment to giving back to society.
Madam Jeddy Chumo, Deputy Principal at Upperhill Secondary School, expressed her excitement about the return of MENTENDA to their school. “Our initial mentorship sessions, held during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2019 and 2020, had a profound impact. We observed remarkable improvements in our student’s behaviour and academic performance. We truly appreciate what KCDF and NCBA Bank are doing to shape the boys into future leaders,” she said. Madam Chumo also urged the students to attend all the sessions, emphasising their commitment would benefit them in the long run.
KCDF Board Director Hillary Oonge also addressed the students, encouraging them to maximise the mentorship opportunities. “I was excited when I was invited to speak at this launch. It’s a privilege to witness how students are empowered through this programme. Honestly, many senior citizens wish they had such opportunities in their youth. With the right guidance, they believe they would have made better decisions in life, avoiding many mistakes. I encourage you to take full advantage of this programme, learn as much as possible, and recognise that this is a golden opportunity to shape your future, career choices, and decision-making.”
In her closing remarks, Ms Ann Nderi, Deputy Director and Group Head of Sustainability at NCBA Bank, stressed the bank’s commitment to shaping the lives of youth through mentorship. “We believe that students are today’s leaders, and we must invest in them. As one of the mentors, I look forward to cross-learning with the students during the sessions. I anticipate active participation and lively engagement throughout the mentorship sessions,” she stated.
To promote environmental conservation and instil this culture in the students, NCBA Bank, in partnership with KCDF, planted 15 trees within the school premises, vowing to add more trees for planting as the sessions progress. KCDF continues to strive to establish resilient and sustainable communities in all the work that we do.
The launch was a success, and the goal remains to shift the students’ mindsets toward becoming responsible, honourable, and dedicated individuals who will contribute to a better society.
#Empoweringtheboychild #mentorship #boychild #MENTENDA #mentakingaction
