Walter Okelo Mentorship Programme Inspires Malele Students to Balance Education and Emerging Opportunities

By Sharon Awino

The Walter Okelo Mentorship Programme (WOMP), under the patronage of Walter Okelo, continues to broaden its impact across rural secondary schools, championing the transformative power of education while helping young people understand and navigate emerging economic opportunities within their communities.

In its latest outreach, WOMP conducted an engaging and impactful mentorship session at Malele Mixed High School, where students gathered for meaningful conversations on academic excellence, talent development, leadership growth, and menstrual hygiene awareness.

The sessions were carefully curated to nurture confident, informed, and goal-oriented learners equipped to make sound decisions about their present and future.For many rural secondary schools, challenges such as limited exposure to career guidance, mentorship gaps, and socio-economic pressures often hinder students’ academic performance and transition to higher education.

These barriers can leave learners feeling uncertain about their prospects and vulnerable to short-term alternatives that may compromise their long-term potential.Through WOMP, Walter Okelo is steadily working to change this narrative.

By creating safe spaces for dialogue, reflection, and encouragement, the programme empowers students to believe in their abilities, set ambitious goals, and stay committed to their educational journeys. The mentorship approach focuses not only on academics but also on building resilience, leadership skills, and personal responsibility.The session also addressed a unique reality within the school’s surrounding community.

Increased small-scale gold exploration has generated significant local interest, presenting immediate income opportunities that some students find tempting. During the interactive discussions, several learners candidly admitted that quick earnings can sometimes appear more attractive than staying in school, with a few echoing the phrase, “Si gold ni masomo,” implying that economic opportunities may seem equivalent to formal education.

Mentors seized this moment as a powerful teaching opportunity. They emphasized that education and economic activity are not competing paths but complementary ones. Students were encouraged to view education as a strong foundation that enhances their ability to thrive even within emerging sectors such as business, environmental management, engineering, and entrepreneurship.

By helping learners understand that knowledge multiplies opportunity, WOMP reinforced the message that staying in school equips them with the skills to not only participate in local industries but to lead, innovate, and create sustainable solutions for their communities.

As the Walter Okelo Mentorship Programme continues its outreach, its mission remains clear: to empower rural youth with the confidence, clarity, and competence needed to shape their futures.

Through mentorship, guidance, and practical life lessons, WOMP is nurturing a generation that recognizes education not just as a requirement, but as a gateway to lasting transformation.

#WOMP#WalterOkelo#YouthEmpowerment#RuralTransformation#MentorshipMatters

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