Feature: Kenyan slum youth eye jobs in Chinese firms to transform their lives

Margaret Wachuka was exposed to the drudgeries of life at a tender age while growing up in Nairobi's Mathare slums where poverty, disease and crime are the norm.

The 25 year old daughter of a single mother is grateful to well wishers who guided her through a treacherous life's journey in the slums to become an ambitious and driven young adult.

Currently a certified mason, Wachuka is envied by her peers in Mathare slums who fell on the wayside thanks to early pregnancies, substance abuse and petty crime.

She was among dozens of slum youth who were on Thursday awarded certificates for qualifying for a rigorous masonry course sponsored by local charities.

Executives from China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) alongside Sino-Africa Centre of Excellence (SACE) attended the certification ceremony for Kenya slum youth who qualified for a range of technical skills to explore areas of collaboration.

Wachuka and her peers told Xinhua they prized working for Chinese firms involved in infrastructure and real estate development in Kenya and the eastern African region.

"At least I can proudly say that I have attained another milestone in life having earned a certificate in masonry. I look forward to working for Chinese construction firms that are developing big housing estates in Nairobi and other big towns," said Wachuka.

Local charity groups have facilitated training of slum youth on a wide range of courses like masonry; plumbing, painting and interior design to enable them secure jobs in the blossoming construction sector.

Wachuka defied huge odds to score impressive marks and given her boundless optimism and energy, her career prospects look promising.

"Contrary to age old myths in this country, the number of young women taking up masonry as a career has increased. There are vast opportunities for us in the construction sector," said Wachuka, adding that she plans to apply for a job in mega housing estates in Nairobi that are being developed by Chinese firms.

Chinese firms operating in Kenya are keen on hiring local youth with exceptional technical and life's skills.

Steve Zhao, the head of liaison at CRBC said that training and mentorship for disadvantaged youth is critical to secure them employment in Chinese firms.

"We have supported technical training for Kenyan youth as part of our corporate social responsibility to enable them to become self-reliant," said Zhao.

He commended local charity groups for supporting skills development for slum youth to enable them to escape joblessness and other social ills.

CRBC has employed thousands of Kenyan youthful artisans in its flagship Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project whose implementation has entered the final phase.

Zhao said the construction firm will consider recruiting additional Kenyan youth trained in a range of technical courses.

Kenyan youth from disadvantaged backgrounds prize working for Chinese firms to gain skills and financial independence.

Brian Otieno, a 21 year old trained mason who live in Mathare slums told Xinhua he considered working for a Chinese construction firm a golden opportunity to sharpen his skills and broaden the revenue base.

"Since childhood, I always desired to become an engineer and feel I have achieved part of the dream having qualified as a mason. I have friends who are working as artisans in Chinese construction firms and would grab any chance that arose," said Otieno.

His 23 year old colleague, Kennedy Mutinda noted that Chinese construction firms that are behind the current boom in Kenya's real estate sector have created numerous jobs for local artisans.

"Chinese companies have created opportunities for young people with skills. They have raised our standards of living and will give them a try now that am a qualified mason," said Mutinda.

The Chinese firms operating in Kenya are keen to partner with government agencies and charity groups to help upgrade skills of the east African nation's youthful workforce.

Li Jiaxuan, a researcher at the Nairobi based think tank - Sino-Africa Centre of Excellence (SACE), noted that a critical mass of highly skilled youth will be an asset to the Kenyan economy and Chinese investors.

"Chinese contractors based in Kenya are looking for skilled masons, plumbers and mechanics to work in their projects. Imparting disadvantaged youth with technical skills will therefore boost their chances of securing jobs with these companies," Li said. Endit