The uncertainty about how to live after college is one of the predicaments young adults find themselves in.
Without a lot of mentors and encouragement available, it can be easy to lose a sense of direction hence the transition period causing anxiety, stress, doubt, and depression.
Martin Amanya, aka Mwalimu, a counselor working with Safe places Ug and youth mentor, says he helps youth navigate the transition using his own story as inspiration.
Like many other graduates, in 2014, Mwalimu found himself in a position of uncertainty when he could not find a job after leaving University as a teacher of the Kiswahili language.
"After University, I was frustrated. I didn’t know that you can have a University degree and fail to get a job as a Kiswahili specialist. I applied to elementary, primary, and secondary schools, higher institutions of learning, and Universities. But I was so shocked that I couldn’t find a job,” Mwalimu narrated.
Turning his frustration from the job market, Mwalimu wrote a proposal to have the Kiswahili language taught in different schools and have it on their curriculum. He also targeted organizations since discussions about having it as the East African official language were ongoing. He decided to give offers to teach Swahili to institutions and individuals depending on their schedules.
Fortunately, Mwalimu got his first volunteering opportunity at the Church of Uganda in the children's ministry. At this point, his work environment of interacting and working with children made him more passionate about children and youths.
“I love mentorship and supporting people through sharing my story with them so they can take lessons and avoid falling in ditches. I help young people after University to know that they need to put their skills into practice before they apply for big positions,” he said.
According to him, a graduate who is willing to volunteer can easily get employed and stands a chance to change the world by using their skills.
“Whenever there is an opportunity, the attitude should be serving. Money should not be the sole motivation. I usually tell young people that money is just a token of appreciation. Whenever there is an opportunity to serve, do it because that is how you will be spotted for any employment.” he advised.
At the Provincial Children's department, Mwalimu did the editing of teens' discipleship curricula and its contextualization.
From there, he got into consultancy and training capacity-building work with national and international organizations, which inspired the foundation of his consultancy firm in 2017.
He has worked with Compassion International, and World Vision Uganda as a national trainer of Journeys, USAID/LARA, Save the Children, and many more.
The Groove Cafe with Crystal Newman airs every Weekday from 4-5 pm on RX Radio.
Download the RX Radio app:
Comentários