Connecting scholars in our program to job opportunities is perhaps one of the most important stages in our transformation cycle. As more alumni graduate from our 8-year scholarship and mentoring program, it has become increasingly important to build partnerships with the corporate community to support our students and alumni as they enter the workforce.
Close the Gap (CTG), one of our Employer Partners, has been instrumental in providing scholars in our program with real-world work experience. CTG is a technology firm working to bridge the digital divide in emerging and developing countries through its IT refurbishing, sustainable e-waste management, digital inclusion, and social entrepreneurship programs. Thanks to CTG, a total of 12 Hatua scholars have gone through its six-month paid internship program following a referral from Hatua.
“Whenever we open applications for our internship cohort, we work closely with Hatua to let them know what we need,” says Asha Dima, Talent Manager at CTG. “Together, we identify those who would be a good fit and interview them along with their future supervisors to make sure we get the right people.”
So far, this partnership has produced outstanding interns who have left a lasting impression on Asha and the CTG team. “Supervisors regularly tell me they are some of the best interns we’ve ever had. Hatua’s students are incredibly professional and proactive. They don’t just sit down—they want to know more about what we do.”
“You’ll notice their leadership potential. For example, when dealing with difficult situations, they handle issues calmly in a way you wouldn’t expect from a student, but from someone with years of experience,”
Star student
Obed Apiri is one such intern who left a strong mark, earning glowing recommendations from colleagues at Close the Gap. He credits his success to his curiosity, consistency, community involvement, and proactive approach. “I was always trying to go the extra mile even with the small tasks my supervisor assigned me,” Obed says.
The exchange wasn’t just one-way. “I felt I was making a tangible impact in Mombasa’s tech and innovation space. And on a deeper level, I learned how to carry myself with purpose, especially in a shared innovation environment.”
For Jacinta Nduta, Obed’s supervisor and Hub Host at Close The Gap, Obed perfectly matched what they look for in an employee. “He was one of the best, in my opinion. He would come in, sit down to do his work, and would always walk around the Hub, making sure everyone was okay. It made me feel confident assigning him duties, even the confidential ones,” she says.
CTG’s clients also took notice. “I got so many good reviews about him from clients that I extended his internship for six more months,” Jacinta says. “That’s how good he was.”
Symbiosis
Hatua’s partnership with Close the Gap highlights the mutual benefit such programs offer to both employers and youth. Employers gain access to young, qualified talent, reduce hiring costs, and improve retention rates. Meanwhile, scholars gain skills, confidence, and exposure to meaningful career pathways.
“Our partnership with CTG is very seamless. Asha always reaches out whenever they’re looking for a new internship cohort, which shows they’re confident in the talent we refer to them, and that our referral process meets their expectations,” says Brian Omollo, Employer Partnership Officer and proud Hatua alum.
This is one of many success stories in our Employer Partnerships program. If you are an organization looking to create more transformative opportunities like this one, reach out to our Employer Partnerships team here.
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