The Rays of Hope Initiative is a youth led community based organization. It was started in 2007. The initiative provides space for youths and skills enhancement that aims to holistically grow young people socially and economically. At the beginning of 2015, the initiative structured its departments to enhance access to information and tap into the governments youth procurement opportunities. The i
nitiative has registered three companies to aid young people to apply for procurement opportunities. The initiative has in place a community liaison department that actively participates to improve the community access to relevant information that is of paramount importance. Under these structure, the initiative is supporting a community initiatives in education, ICT and research for decision making. The initiative is home to the only center for youth and business in the constituency. The center holds a library and an ICT center. The model is a guide that supports youth in business development. How it began
The initiative began during the political year of 2007. The initiative's patron who was then an aspirant for the Member of Parliament position learnt that a big number of youths were idle and had sought refuge in vices such as drugs and substance abuse and immorality. As such, education and development was in a sorry state in Rironi and the entire central province. These presented the need for a space and a sober group of young people who would rally for positive change. Since the initiative begun, it has grown to provide a ray of hope to the youths and the community. Why we Do This
The initiative works toward fulfilling three main goals: These include:
Information acquisition
Information is power. Lack of information for our communities in the past has only borne ignorance. The center provides information to the community as a way of empowerment to help communities make decisions from an informed point of view. Through its ICT center and library the initiative also provides relevant information on contemporary issues. Social growth
Programs and activities undertaken by the initiative provide opportunity for community social growth . For instance, the Limuru Half Marathon; an event organized by a number of stakeholder including the Rays of Hope Initiative provides a platform for community members to link and interact. Economic growth
The youth and business department of the initiative provides an opportunity for young people to be able to engage in entrepreneurship activities as an alternative to formal employment. the initiatives acts an incubation center for business ideas providing, the legal documentation to start up the business ideas. It also provides business mentorship to continuing business supporting them develop the right structures that are needed to growth the business.
