Audience: Voices

Poverty blocked my path

Stanley is one of eight children who was raised by a single mother in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. His family often struggled to find money for necessities like food and shelter. Growing up, Stanley endured the loss of a brother to poverty and gang violence, and extreme hunger.

And, despite performing very well in school, Stanley was unable to afford university.

“Where we grew up, life was so tough. We were seven, living in a single room. We were used to sleeping hungry, it was extreme. If you would have asked who is the poorest family in that area, you’d be brought to our house.”

I had a dream

Prior to joining Generation, Stanley worked odd jobs at a construction site and sold clothes to earn a meager income. It was difficult for him to find full-time employment because he lacked the necessary credentials. He still dreamed that one day he would work in an office for a great company but feared that it would be impossible without a university degree.

New skills, true support

Stanley attended Generation’s Kenya Distributed Sales program and benefited greatly from the hands-on training. He learned new skills, such as problem solving and communications, that helped him apply for the same jobs as university graduates. He also gained a support system through the mentors and other students. “Generation has created a family that is hard to break. Come rain or sunshine, in times of happiness and sadness, they are always there for you.”

My prayers answered

After graduating from Generation in 2015, Stanley received an offer from a financial company Old Mutual. “God was answering my prayers. After just 6 weeks I was in a good job as a sales associate. Generation was the platform for me to move from one step to the next. It was a real boost for me.” Stanley formed a great relationship with his manager, who he described as a brother and a mentor.

Investing in the future

Stanley’s job allowed him to not only make money but also save for the future. He could support his entire family and help pay his siblings’ school fees.

Where is Stanley now?

Stanley has successfully navigated his career since Generation, weathering the economic storm of the COVID crisis in Kenya, and ultimately deciding to start his own business in transportation and logistics, which he still successfully runs up to this day. Despite being in this new industry, he still credits Generation for his entrepreneurial abilities and customer service skills. 

Today, Stanley and his wife – who he met when they were both in the Generation program – have two children whose comfortable lives are in stark contrast to the hardships he endured as growing up. They have a TV, a laptop, and a car that he uses to drive them to school.

“At some point during my Generation experience, I decided that whatever was painted in my history should not determine my life today. There was a shift in my mind. What seemed to be impossible is now possible.” 

Although he obtained a bachelor’s degree and studied both banking and accounting, Rahul had long-standing interest in healthcare. Originally from the east Indian state of Bihar, Rahul secured a part-time job during college to care for patients at night. The pay was very low and it was difficult to support his family. Lack of full-time job opportunities drove Rahul to relocate to Delhi. In Delhi, Rahul joined Generation both to further his passion for healthcare and to better his chances for future full-time employment.

Rahul felt his socio-economic status and lack of English skills hampered his employment prospects since “youngsters like me who belong to a poor family and have just graduated, and who are not so good at English, face lots of problems in interviews.” Generation offered Rahul an opportunity to mitigate those barriers through intensive interview preparation and English practice.

Since Rahul also had prior healthcare training, he could observe how his time in Generation contrasted to previous job training experiences. “The process of training in Generation was completely different,” he said. “The best part was the practical training along with the theories, which has brought lots of improvement in me. We were taught about how to handle patients with sympathy. We were also trained in spoken English for our interviews.”

Today, Rahul works full-time for a home healthcare service as a PCA. He appreciates the ongoing support he receives from Generation trainers, even as more and more new students enter the Delhi program. “I’m a first-cohort student, and my trainers still remember me—it’s a matter of pride for me,” said Rahul. “If I face any problem while working, then I can consult my trainers anytime.”

Since graduating from Generation, Rahul’s financial prospects have improved dramatically, allowing him to build a savings. “Earlier, I used to earn Rs. 5,000-6,000 per month, but now that I am employed full-time, I earn Rs. 13,000 per month. I can save the large amount of about Rs. 8,000 per month.”

While these improvements in financial well-being are profound, Rahul is equally motivated by delivering exceptional patient care. He credits improvements to his clinical skills and mindsets to what he learned in the Generation classroom. “The biggest challenge I face at work is keeping the patient happy and mentally at peace. I also try to win the patient’s trust. One hundred percent of the credit goes to Generation training for making me face these challenges successfully.”

The positive impact isn’t just felt by Rahul’s patients—he is also finding more optimism and empathy in his own personal life. “The best part is that my thoughts have changed a lot. This profession has made me more helpful and has taught me how to handle a patient with sympathy. I also get recognition and blessings for that.”

In December 2014, Erick Ventura completed a Bachelor’s degree in administration from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Although Erick acquired some work as part of his degree requirements, he was unable to secure employment after graduation. According to Erick, “It was a bit disappointing what I found in my search, you see, because what many companies ask for is a lot of experience and unfortunately, I had not focused that much on experience. I visited many companies, I attended job fairs, I searched on the Internet and I searched in the streets. I was there figuring out where opportunities were and unfortunately, there were no such opportunities.”

Before joining the Generation initiative, Erick submitted 16 job applications and received rejections from all potential employers. Erick lived with his parents and his younger brother but was unable to contribute financially to his personal and family needs. Because Erick’s father is unemployed, financial contributions were particularly helpful for his family.

That’s when Erick decided to enroll in the Generation program in Mexico. During his participation, Erick acquired important job-relevant skills that compensated for his lack of work experience, and he also underwent significant social and personal changes. As Erick reflects, “I learned to relate to others since it was difficult for me. It is still difficult but in Generation, I gained the tools to overcome that weakness and I got to know my strengths.”

Since graduating as part of Generation’s second cohort in Mexico in October 2015, Erick has been employed as a cashier at Walmart Azcapotzalco—one of the busiest Walmart stores in Mexico City. His Generation training helps him adapt to the many daily challenges of a fast-paced retail setting. Erick credits his adaptability and quick thinking to role plays and simulations practiced in the Generation classroom.

Erick observes, “One thing that has helped me a lot from Generation is getting adapted to situations, because things change at any moment. You need to be able to respond if customers get angry or ask why things are taking longer.”

Since graduating from the Generation program, Erick has reached many milestones. He made more friends in Generation than in school classes, and he keeps in close touch with six Generation graduates. While balancing his shifts at Walmart, Erick is planning to start an intensive English course to help further his university studies. In the future, Erick wants to explore a career in business administration and accounting.

Erick is learning a lot from his experience with Generation and with Walmart. He explains, “I barely had any experience and it taught me about responsibility. It’s helping me adapt to the challenges ahead of me. And, I could contribute to my family’s expenses in December and now I am putting some money aside for the expenses in the future.”

Generation stood with me

“Soon after I joined Generation, the worst happened – I lost my mother, the pillar of our family. I felt all hope was lost. But the Generation family stood with me and helped me restore hope. I will forever be grateful.”

New skills for work

“I am very grateful to Generation for teaching me stress management. I am now able to handle very high pressure at work and still remain calm and pleasant. I also learned persistence – not giving up, and staying focused on my goals.”

Teach a woman to fish

“Before joining Generation, I sold fish at my aunt’s stall in Kangemi Market. Selling insurance is different – but thanks to Generation, I’ve had a lot of success. With one client, I’ve sold policies worth millions of shillings. That’s a big fish!”

Changing young people’s lives

“Generation has changed my life, and helped me support and educate my three younger siblings. I would like to be a Generation ambassador in the community, to help many other youth change their lives as well. I have a society to enlighten!”