500 Makueni girl students to benefit from Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Career Mentorship

At least 500 girls from six secondary schools in Makueni will benefit from a one year mentorship and skills development in a bid to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and careers.

The mentorship programme is courtesy of a project dubbed GIRLS IN STEM launched on Monday at Mbooni Girls National School through a partnership between Youth and Success Association (YASA) and the Government of Makueni County.

The project will involve outstanding professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) interacting with girl students in form two in an intensive career mentorship to encourage and support them to achieve their full potentials in STEM.

According to Mildred Mudany, the Chief Executive Officer Help Reach Africa, who holds a PhD in Tropical Medicine, the project aims to achieve among others: Ensure higher participation and leadership of girls and Women on STEM; To open up well paying career opportunities for girls and women; To build self confidence among girls and women; Increase awareness and participation of girls and women in STEM and Innovation as well as increase the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 17)

The project was launched during an occasion to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM, and was graced by among others: Governor Kivutha Kibwana, County First Lady Nazi Kivutha, KenGen Chief Quality Engineer Catherine Nyambala.

As we celebrate women and girls in STEM, we have come to stimulate interest from the earliest years, to combat stereotypes and engage girls across the County, in the nation and globally to pursue STEM careers and to mentor our girls and young women to change mindsets towards the STEM career”, said governor Kibwana.