PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center
In western Kenya, near the port city of Kisumu on Lake Victoria, lies Alego Nyang’oma – a place of deep personal significance to the Obama family. It is the home region of former U.S. President Barack Obama’s father and his sister, Dr. Auma Obama. In 2018, the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Alego was officially inaugurated here, with President Obama in attendance. The facility was established in partnership with the Sauti Kuu Foundation, founded and led by Dr. Auma Obama.
In western Kenya, near the port city of Kisumu on Lake Victoria, lies Alego Nyang’oma – a place of special significance for the Obama family. Barack Obama’s father and Dr. Auma Obama come from this region.
In 2018, the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Alego was officially opened here in the presence of the former U.S. President. The facility was established in collaboration with the Sauti Kuu Foundation, led by Dr. Auma Obama.
The Sauti Kuu Foundation operates the vocational training center, which was developed with support from the PATRIZIA Foundation. One of its core features is the Children’s Learning Center – an extracurricular learning space for children and youth aged 4 to 25. Students from nine partner schools in the region visit the center to engage in holistic education that fosters cognitive, emotional, and practical skills. Through this approach, they build critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and a sense of self-efficacy.
The overarching goal is to help children and their families improve their living conditions by harnessing local resources – empowering them to realize their full potential.
At the heart of the campus, the vocational training center offers a one-year orientation program where young people explore various career paths before choosing a field of specialization. This enables them to make informed, passion-driven decisions about their futures. The program is supported by access to books, learning materials, personal development workshops, sports, and a stable learning environment. Sustainable agriculture is also part of the curriculum, taught hands-on in the foundation’s own vegetable garden.
“As a guest at the opening ceremony, Barack Obama impressively demonstrated the importance of the facility for the entire region.”
Astrid Gabler
Chairwoman of the Board
Modern and child-friendly teaching for children in Kenya
The aim of the learning center is to offer children and young people between the ages of four and 25 a school-leaving certificate and career prospects. Around 90% of children are enrolled in school – but the drop-out rate is high due to a lack of quality education and access to digital resources. 70% of people do not have access to the internet; less than 10% of pupils have digital learning materials.
The center’s focus is on moving away from traditional teaching and towards exploratory, independent and creative learning. Through these measures, the project can sustainably improve the lives of thousands of children in the region by providing them with valuable skills for a self-determined and fulfilling future.
Training with a future
The Training Center also enables disadvantaged teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 24 to obtain a school-leaving certificate. In addition to the school-leaving certificate, vocational prospects are created with needs-oriented and practical training and further education courses.
The practical training and further education courses are offered in the fields of automotive mechanics, bricklaying, installation and plumbing technology, welding and metalworking, electrical installation, agriculture, fashion design, tailoring, carpentry and carpentry. The more than 500 pupils and trainees have the opportunity to explore each of the disciplines as well as their skills and talents and make an informed choice for their future. The apprenticeships themselves are hands-on and offer realistic workshops to prepare students for the world of work later on.
In addition, the center makes a special effort to develop the social skills of teenagers and young adults. The curriculum includes motivational training, communication and organizational training, financial and time management as well as personal development workshops.
Digital education offensive for sustainable change
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial need to prepare children and young people for independent digital learning. In response, the PATRIZIA Foundation launched the “Ready for the Future” initiative. This concept supports partner organizations in creating child-centered digital education formats that continue to foster learning, even in times of crisis. The PATRIZIA Foundation is committed to supporting Sauti Kuu with specialized training programs and high-quality digital equipment for its Children’s Learning Center. Because modern education must embrace digital learning – especially when it is child-centered.
A key element of the project is the training of teachers. Through the “Train-the-Trainer” module, educators are equipped with child-appropriate teaching methods and practical classroom strategies, always keeping the child’s perspective at the forefront. Focus areas such as sensory perception, imitation, exploration, and orientation are central to the approach. Child-centered teaching and learning strategies are vital in developing academic and intellectual skills, encouraging children to think critically and independently.
Another key goal of the project is the development of child-friendly information and communication technologies that enable flexible, self-directed, and intelligent learning. Reusable learning materials and exercises, based on the “Essence of Learning” concept, help children overcome learning challenges, build digital skills, and boost their motivation to learn. These materials can be used at home, either independently or with siblings and parents, strengthening the connection between school and home.
This comprehensive initiative has the potential to transform the way children in the region learn, laying the foundation for a brighter future for thousands of children. They are supported in their personal growth and gain valuable skills that empower them to live independent, fulfilling lives. The impact of this project will reach far beyond the classroom, creating lasting positive change throughout the region.
Your donation can help bring this vision to life for the children and young people of Alego!
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