Our university mentoring is at the core of Hatua’s programmatic approach. In this department, we pair each of our students in tertiary level with a mentor working in an industry that the student is studying. These mentors then help our students grow career-wise by offering guidance, opportunities for on-job training and assistance for students in their academic work, especially on research.
We hold this department dearly, and most importantly our volunteer mentors. In our efforts of improving the program design, we continuously strive for continuous improvement of our mentorship program by implementing an innovative model that helps strengthen mentor-mentee relations as well as increasing capacity of our mentors and mentees through structured events. Cumulatively, we host 5 events annually focused on strengthening the technical capacity of our mentors.
Key results over the last 2 years indicate a 100% transition from university to employment for our students within one year of graduation mainly as a result of effective mentor-mentee relations. We encourage our mentors and mentees to stay in touch at least once a month and have a face to face meeting two times in a year.
On February 1, 2019, we held our first mentors networking event for this year that went down at Mombasa Sports Club. The meeting brought together experienced professionals working in Mombasa.
The event was an opportunity for our mentors to undertake a leadership training, network, learn from each other, share ideas on how to improve mentor-mentee relationships. At Hatua, we want our students to excel in their professions by emulating the successes of their mentors.
In the just-concluded event, mentors got to listen to Vincent Otumbo, a renowned motivational speaker who pulled the strings on 3 lenses of mentorship.In a recap, Vincent emphasized the following qualities any mentor should have:
- Authenticity
- Trust
- Communication
- Passion
- Consistency
Hatua university mentoring helps university graduates to develop professional ethics and hard work to maximize their potential upon entering the workforce. One case of successful Hatua alumni is Seif Reje, who was awarded the Best Employee of the year by Seaforth Shipping Company. His success is attributed to the effective mentor-mentee relations that helped him shine at work.
During the networking event, Hatua mentors who have volunteered for more than 3 years received a gift of appreciation. We value their support and dedication towards helping young people grow their careers.
Are you a professional out there? If yes and wish to mentor a young person on their career path, this is the right opportunity for you! You will benefit from an expanded network of professionals that you can learn from during mentors’ events. Join Hatua Network as a mentor and help a young person lift themselves out of poverty by guiding them in their career.
We rise up by lifting others! To join as a mentor, fill this FORM or drop us an email at communications@hatuanetwork.org Also watch the 3 lenses of mentorship here!
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