“This opportunity helped me to channel my dream by focusing my attention on completing my studies. While this is a certificate course, I find it covering almost half of what we learn at the university. I love the practical bit and I am inspired to continue to grade II and beyond in the future. This will give me an upper hand to become an examiner for technical training. I am also encouraged to finish my degree. I now have the confidence and determined to resume my fourth year studies with the small savings from freelancing and a token of appreciation from the YMCA. Having the two levels of training will increase my experience and chances in the job market and, overall, in the beauty industry. The knowledge and network gained from Up-skillers BFM training has increased my client base and inspired me to follow through on my passion of becoming a great cosmetologist and examiner instructor. I appreciate the opportunity; the scholarship has put me a step closer to my dream. I promise to keep impacting others too. Learning that both the trainees and other instructors appreciate my work gives me hope that I am on the right track to achieving my goal.”
Pamela Adhiambo is a 23-year-old lady, a dancer by passion, and a volunteer instructor in the hair dressing and beauty therapy department at YMCA-Kisumu. She describes herself as a makeup artist and nail technician, work that she does on a free-lance basis. The desire to grow her passion and work with young people for empowerment led her to seek an opportunity to serve as a volunteer instructor with the YMCA-Kisumu. She previously served as volunteer at EXELL School of Beauty Therapy and Institute of Certified Studies (ICS). Pamela is also a third-year student at Masinde Muliro University of Technology, undertaking a Bachelor of Technology in Cosmetology. A course she enrolled in 2017 but has deferred due to a lack of school fees on numerous occasions
As the first born in a family of four, Pamela describes her family background as complicated and is passionate about cutting her own space to become a great person in society. She previously attempted several job applications but has not been successful. Some of which she missed out on because of lack of academic transcripts. She has not been able to access her transcripts because she has not paid the required school fees. It is at her disposal as a volunteer instructor and trainer in dance at YMCA that she learnt about the S4J Partial Scholarship early this year (2022) and went ahead to apply as an up-skiller during the period May–July 2022 intake. Having qualified and enrolled in the programme, Pamela is among the 77 up-skillers spread across 5 learning institutions who sat for NITA Grade Test III assessment in July 2022. The S4J project supports upskillers by paying their exam fees and offering 3-day training on business, finance, and soft skills to help them improve their business practices.