Jamii Products, a new initiative under Jamii Industrial Park Ltd and Jamii Hope and Empowerment CBO, has launched a transformative sponsorship programme targeting 1,000 students across Kenya.
This milestone has been made possible through a generous donor from Switzerland and will run for the next 6 to 12 months.
The programme aims to empower communities through eco-enterprise training, focusing on sustainable production, skills development, and entrepreneurship.
Each student will receive a sponsorship of Ksh 5,000 and contribute an equal amount, making the total training cost Ksh 10,000.
The training is anchored on a three-phase model: manufacturing khaki paper products, offering technical and entrepreneurial skills training, and enterprise support through provision of tools, raw materials, and mentorship.
The products include paper bags, envelopes, book covers, gift packaging, and eco-friendly dustbins.
In a special arrangement, 10% of the beneficiaries—100 students—will receive enhanced sponsorship and mentorship.
These are divided into three categories: caregivers of children with special needs (50 students), young men and women under 35 (30 students), and parents (20 students).
Selected groups will also benefit from Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions in eco-friendly charcoal briquette production and be eligible for seed capital upon completion.
The outreach strategy will ensure inclusivity by deploying 20 officers to coordinate with vernacular radio stations and national media to reach all 45 Kenyan tribes.
Targeted stations include Musyi FM, Ramogi FM, Kameme FM, Radio Maisha, Citizen TV, and KTN Home, among others.
In partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Public Benefit Authority, the programme will extend training to 94 prisons, caregivers, PWDs, marginalized groups, refugees, and youth across Kenya.
Jamii Products believes this initiative will promote equitable access to skills training, foster entrepreneurship, and support community-driven solutions to poverty and unemployment.
With strong donor backing and strategic partnerships, the organization is optimistic about creating long-term social and economic impact across the country.