Kenya, 16 March 2026 – A grassroots technology initiative in Nanyuki is transforming the lives of vulnerable youths and teenage mothers by equipping them with digital and artificial intelligence skills to tap into the global online economy.

The programme, run by Drawing Dreams Initiative through the Ndoto Community Hub, is combining digital training, mentorship and psychosocial support to help young people build sustainable livelihoods in an era of shrinking employment opportunities.

Founder and team lead Ms Grace Wanene said the hub was established to create a safe space where teenage mothers and unemployed youths can rebuild their lives and gain practical skills.

“We started the Ndoto Community Hub right here in the heart of Nanyuki town to train teenage mothers in design and tailoring while also offering psychosocial support,” Ms Wanene said.

She explained that many of the beneficiaries have experienced difficult circumstances before becoming young mothers, making emotional support a key component of the programme.

“This is also a place where they can begin healing because their journey to pregnancy was often very challenging,” she said.

Beyond vocational training, the hub has partnered with the government-backed Ajira Digital Program to introduce participants to digital jobs that can be done remotely using smartphones and laptops.

The initiative is designed to enable young people to earn income online after acquiring the necessary digital skills.

“Through Ajira Digital training, youths are learning how to use their smartphones and other devices to access opportunities in the digital space and improve their livelihoods,” Ms Wanene explained.

She said the hub also provides free internet access, enabling young people to practice their skills and explore online opportunities.

“At the Ndoto Community Hub, we welcome young people to come with their laptops and smartphones and utilize our internet connection to learn and work online,” she said.

To ensure sustainability, the programme is also nurturing peer mentors drawn from among the most talented trainees.

Currently, trainers are sourced from neighbouring Nyeri, a situation Ms Wanene says increases operational costs.

“We are identifying youths who grasp the concepts quickly so that they can become peer mentors and help train others within the community,” she added.

During a recent two-day digital training workshop organized in collaboration with Ajira Digital, participants were introduced to modern content creation and artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, Canva, CapCut, Gemini and Adobe Photoshop.

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