2011_Kenya_EEPCT_report_AnnexIV

The Kerugoya Girls talent Centre girlssinging their hearts out.Prof. Sam Ongeri, the Minister forEducation officially opening the firstannual youth talent developmentconference.UNICEF provided scholarshipsfor in-school and out-schoolstudents enrolled in the talentcentres.Mr. Kimanzi termed theconference as the firstactualization of the dream ofhaving an alternative pathwayto learning. He pointed outto Sadili oval, Sarakasi artsand Stadi Za Maisha askey partnerships in talentdevelopment.After Mr. Kimanzi’s speecha song was sung in honor ofSuzan Njau for her contributionto the birth of the TalentAcademy (TA).Remarks by Susan Njau-Director Quality and StandardsMOESusan Njau expressed herdelight to be honored as themother of the Talent Academy.She commended the Ministerfor Education, Professor SamOngeri’s commitment to talentdevelopment and asked MOYASto take care of the youth outof school. She thanked theminister, Mr. Kimanzi, MadamOlivia and others for theircontinued support of the TalentAcademy (TA). “Of the fourcountries in Africa that weregiven chance to start the TalentAcademy, only Kenya was ableto start”, echoed Madam Njau.After making her remarks,she invited the Minister forEducation to inspire the youth.The Upperhill Boys Choir entertainingthe participants at the conference.Key note speech by Prof. SamOngeri- Minister for EducationThe minister expressed hissatisfaction with the work thathad been done at the talentacademy adding that this was adream come true. He recalledwith nostalgia the experienceof 2007/2008 post-electionviolence and narrated to thedelegates how sad he felt whenthe country was torn apart.He recognized the role of youngpeople in enhancing nationalintegration.He acknowledged thepresentation by the students’representative, Issa whogave a positively provokingspeech. He emphasized theneed to influence positivegeneration of energy notingthat group energies can maketremendous impact in the livesof many if utilized positively.“Young people demonstratemuch energy and vibrancywhich requires continuoussupport for development ofour country”, remarked theminister.He gave an example of theconcept and decision to havestudents in schools electtheir own leadership and thetremendous impact this hadon the reduction of unrest inschools. He linked the conceptto the TA and the gains thathad been realized within such ashort time.He also expressed satisfactionwith the tremendous growth in24 Annual Youth Talent Development Conference Magazine Annual Youth Talent Development Conference Magazine25