The Role of Life Skills in Shaping Future Leaders.

Aisha Akinyi from Form 2G and Michelle Wawira from Form 2 Brilliant are students at Kariobangi North Girls Secondary School. They are grateful to be benefiting from the life skills program and have shared their transformative journeys through it.

Michelle Wawira expressed her gratitude for the self-esteem and time management sessions. “I appreciate having gone through the self-esteem session because it’s an area where I struggled to break through. There were words spoken to me during my primary school years that I internalized as part of my identity. Through this session, I was able to break free from those shackles,” Michelle said. “Not only have I improved for my own sake, but I am now more mindful of how I speak to others and the potential impact my words may have on their self-esteem. I have learned that the words I choose can either uplift or bring someone down,” she continued.

“I used to engage in communal activities without managing my time effectively, often getting involved in things that did not contribute to my future. However, through the program, I’ve learned the importance of saying no to maintain my schedule. It’s okay to say no when necessary,” Michelle reflected.

Aisha Akinyi, also a beneficiary of the program, has taken the initiative to help her siblings who have been struggling with issues covered in the life skills curriculum. “After learning about identity crises in class, I didn’t keep that knowledge to myself. I took my siblings through the same sessions, and I’ve seen a positive change in their lives. For instance, I encouraged my brother not to let others define his identity, and I have noticed an improvement in him,” Aisha shared.

Aisha also demonstrated her commitment to time management. She expressed her determination to create time for meaningful conversations with her peers. “After the time management classes, I make sure to create a timetable that includes time to engage with my classmates. This was a foreign concept to me in primary school, but after joining this school as a Form 1 student, my perspective changed. I realized that isolating myself was not beneficial,” Aisha said.

Both Aisha and Michelle look forward to becoming more equipped with life skills so they can share their knowledge with others. They hope the program will continue impacting schools positively. “As we continue with these sessions, I believe I will gain the skills needed to assist those in need of life skills,” Michelle concluded. “This program has a significant impact on students, and I pray it continues to be a valuable tool for overcoming life challenges, especially among schoolgirls,” Aisha reinforced.