HATUA; ACT NOW, Shape the Future

Hatua Campaign

Hatua Campaign is an initiative by FOCUS to reach out to more young people in institutions of higher learning by developing Students Training and Development Centres.

The Problem
Kenya continues to face a myriad of challenges among them corruption, dwindling stability of the family institution, moral decadence, insecurity and the very recent upsurge of negative ethnicity. Whereas these problems are real, many believe that there is hope that is pegged on the youth who are the leaders of tomorrow. This hope is based on the fact that young people are said to be critical thinkers, changemakers, innovators, communicators, and leaders (Ullmann, 2015). According to the world population data sheet, 2017 from the population reference bureau (PRB), the current population of youth aged between 15-24 in Kenya is currently at 10.1 % and is likely to rise to 16.7 % by mid-2050. This age group is very critical; it forms the mass of young people who are in institutions of higher learning and will graduate to take up the leadership roles in the country.

In the awakening of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), there has been a continuous need to influence youth positively for impact. Kenya has not been left behind, and different kinds of youth empowerment programs have been initiated. Whereas strides have been made in ensuring economic empowerment, there seems to be glaring gaps in matters integrity among young people in Kenya. A survey report by the Aga Khan University in January 2016, showed that the majority of Kenyans aged between 18 and 35 do not hold with significance integrity, yet it is a crucial value in fostering social wellbeing of a nation. The challenge of integrity suggests an erosion of values among the youth and this could be the source of the increased problems in governance, societal relations and workforce facing the Kenyan populace.

Intervention
To achieve the desired impact of shaping more young people for value development, character formation, mindset orientation and attitude shaping, Fellowship of Christian Unions (FOCUS) reaches and equips students in Institutions of higher learning and graduates for effective Christian living and societal transformation. This is achieved through value-based training, mentorship, apprenticeship. To enhance her capacity of reach and influence, FOCUS is running a development project dubbed “Hatua Campaign: Act Now Shape the future, to build Students ‘Training and Development Centre across Kenya.

Why Partner with FOCUS?
FOCUS Kenya is an institution that has worked with the youth in Kenyan colleges and universities for the last 45 years. FOCUS is registered as a charitable organization in Kenya with the tax exemption certificate number 20151103/7902. Currently, FOCUS is working with at least One Hundred and Fifty-Two (152) College and University Christian Unions with a total membership of over Forty-Five Thousand (45,000) Students. FOCUS’ goal is to equip every student with values and skills that enable them to grow and develop into responsible citizens. Every year FOCUS trains an average of 4000 students leaders to catalyze impact of more than 500,000 students in the institutions of higher learning. The impact can be traced from the number of Individuals of reputable character, shaping many spheres of our society that FOCUS has produced and strategic professional organizations like Hesabika Trust, International Institute of Legislative affairs and Christian Business Professionals Fellowship.

The Need: One Students Centre serving 45, 000 students
FOCUS has a competent team of 76 regular staff and a big network of over 10,000 graduates in various professional fields who are involved in the training, mentorship, and coaching of students. The efforts in the development of character and values have however not been able to match the opportunities available owing to the limited infrastructure in which FOCUS operates.FOCUS has only one Students Centre serving over 45,000 students. The current hostel came as an idea in the late 1990’s, with the first rooms being put up in 1998. The rooms were to provide accommodation for the students who would come for weekend training. The hall has been incrementally developed to the current capacity of 50 occupants.

The first structure at FOCUS Centre in Kasarani
 

The Kasarani FOCUS Centre in late 90s and early 2000s

The same structure has served FOCUS for the past 18 years despite the increased student population. Sadly, this limitation weakens the mission of FOCUS. FOCUS severally turned away students because of the limitations. It is critical to note that as much as infrastructure is not the only requirement for active development of young people, it provides an advantage. FOCUS has been able to observe that when students capacity building and mentorship sessions are conducted in Students Centre away from campus, the students take a break from their usual environment and are able to gain more in learning since they are not in an environment with immediate and pressing demands. There has also been a higher response in numbers and enthusiasm when student training is hosted at the current Student Centre.

Kasarani Students Centre in 2018

The Goal
FOCUS intends to construct 6 Students Training and Development Centres in the next 5-10 years. The first Phase of this project will involve reconstruction of the current Student Centre in Kasarani and acquisition of land in 5 Regions in the following towns; Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret.

The goal in this first phase is to raise Ksh. 150 Million.

An ideal FOCUS Student Training Center, which we are seeking to establish, for all FOCUS Regions will be in a piece of land not less than 2 acres with a mixed use. (Shared accommodation and self-contained rooms, Catering Services, Office Block, and Recreational Facilities).

Training taking place at Students Centre in Kasarani 

A Call for involvement
FOCUS will be hosting the Hatua Fundraising Dinner on 7th September 2018 with the goal of raising Ksh. 150 Million for the first phase of the project. FOCUS is inviting the participation of the following;

Students
1. Contributing money towards the project through the respective CUs and as individual students.
2. To mobilize fellow students towards the project.
3. To Pray for the project.
4. Participating in Hatua Dinner on 7th September 2018 and Regional Hatua Events.
5. Sharing FOCUS impact stories on social media via the hashtag:
#HatuaCampaign
#TuchukueHatuaPamoja
#ChukuaHatua

Associates
1. To contribute money towards the project.
2. Mobilizing friends, family, and people within your network to support Hatua.
3. To Pray for the project.
4. Donating land.
5. Offering professional services in the building project implementation.

Corporate Sponsorship (Churches and Organizations)

 Support through Mpesa Paybill No. 412 412

Account Name: Hatua

https://focuskenya.org/hatua-concept-focus-associates/