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The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, visits an AVSI school in Kenya

March 14, 2023// Repost from AVSI.org 

The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, during his visit in Kenya, met the students of St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute in Nairobi, funded by AVSI thanks to funds from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

GIAMPAOLO SILVESTRI, AVSI SECRETARY GENERAL WELCOMES SERGIO MATTARELLA, ITALIAN PRESENT TO THE SAINT KIZITO INSTITUTE IN NAIROBI, KENYA

On Tuesday 14th March Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, accompanied by his daughter, Laura Mattarella, visited St.Kizito Vocational Training Institute in Githurai, located on the outskirts of Nairobi and funded by AVSI in 1994 thanks to funds from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

"St. Kizito is a success story because with the contribution of the Italian Cooperation, we have created a vocational training center that, over the years, has educated thousands of young people who have then found employment.

St. Kizito was founded in 1994 with the aim of providing the most vulnerable young people with the necessary practical and theoretical skills to face the job market and thus become protagonists of their future.

The institute trains 800 young people a year, and since its opening 13,500 students have graduated by choosing to specialize in several courses, including carpentry, mechanics, IT, hairdressing and catering. Today, 89% of the students at St. Kizito obtain employment.

The President was also accompanied by Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy in Kenya; Giovanni Grandi, Director of AICS in Nairobi; Giampaolo Silvestri, AVSI General Secretary and Silvia D’Ovidio, Head of Strategy, Governance and Institutional Relations Res4Africa.

At St. Kizito, I have the opportunity to continue my studies using modern technology in the classroom and the laboratories; I feel like I'm laying the foundation for my future and my career.

The visit concluded at the Italian Design Furniture company (IDF), which provdes St. Kizito carpentry students access to a practical training space and enhances their understanding of the demands of the labor market. The company creates high-quality modern furniture with an Italian design using precious woods from the African region. Carpentry students can also apply for internships at Italian Design Furniture, one of the 70 private companies that St. Kizito works with to help students transition into employment.
In this school, which allows 89% of its students to find employment, AVSI implements, together with Res4Africa, the Private Sector and Innovative Energy Technologies Development project in Kenya, financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

STUDENTS AT SAN KIZITO SCHOOL IN NAIROBI, KENYA
STUDENTS AT SAN KIZITO SCHOOL IN NAIROBI, KENYA