WHAT THE YOUTHS NEED- BY SILAS GISIORA

The fact that someone failed KCSE yesterday and that is their biggest blessing. Like they will make it in life beyond their wildest dream.

And the fact that some kids who scored As to B+s today have effectively been set up for failure.

Our public universities will humiliate and disorient them.

Higher expectations in life often breed the worst disappointment. 

As a parent teach your kid how to make money on top of college education. Whether they will run errands, or sell whisky in a bar to get started.

Teach them responsibility.

Teach them not to discriminate jobs.

Teach them there is nothing cool about generational labels, sijui Gen Z this, Gen Z that. The game is to self-sufficient and dependent adult.

Teach them new skills. In AI. Robotics. Green energy. E-mobility. Cryptocurrency. Fintech. Wherever the future is headed.

For your daughter, if she can skip and postpone getting knocked up, she will realise her full potential. If she gets knocked up, it is not the worst thing, and that may well give her her true north in life. Also, poverty is bad and unkind for younger women. Whatever path the young women will take because of poverty, may they be guided. Not to choose a temporary, destructive path for lack of choices. 

Teach the kids to stay away from gambling.

I told you a while back the most critical age for your child is 18-28. They are not yet fully adults but they want their independence. Support their hobbies but not indulgences. Stand with them, but point them to the right direction. E.g, if one wants to be a journalist or a musician, work out a deal, you buying the guitar but they should also pursue a diploma in nursing on the side.

It is good to dream.

But teaching, nursing, police, army, are safe places. It is not for lack of ambition. Sometimes ambitions will be the reason your son is disillusioned when they are 35 and their music career never peaked.

Those brave enough to know their limitations and take up those MTC and TTC classes, the better. 

Get the right certifications.

There are opportunities out of Kenya, think outside the box and prepare accordingly.

Be your kids best friends and in the large scheme of things, a high school grade is a good thing, but it is inconsequential down the line.

Be off drugs, be determined, be flexible be open minded, and don't entertain delusions of grandeur. Only a few people in each lot get to actuality their fantasies.

And while it, teach them godly ways.

© SILAS GISIORA NYANCHWANI 

- Kenya