Mentoring Awareness Week occurs annually and this year was the second time the event was taking place. The goal of Mentoring Awareness Week is to increase the students’ understanding of mentoring in Strathmore and create greater engagement between them and their mentors.

The theme for this year’s event was “Strathmore Mentoring Families”. It was proposed by the new student council who felt that the idea of families would help build greater cohesion between mentors and their mentees and enrich their mentoring experiences. Several activities were lined up for the week that were attuned to this theme. They included a family photo festival, a forum dubbed Mentoring 101 and a cocktail themed: family got talent.

#MentoringGrowsMe

The highlight of the week’s activities was the photo festival where many students together with their mentors donned fancy hats and sunglasses for selfies and posted them on their social media handles with the hashtags #MyMentor&I #MyMentoringFamily and #MentoringGrowsMe.

Mentoring 101 was an interactive forum facilitated by the Student Council and featured Wycliffe Guguni, the seventh Student Council Chairperson as one of the speakers. One of the perceptions captured in this forum was that a mentor was a friend, one who motivates and an accountability partner. Through mentoring one was able to conduct regular self-assessments and also develop useful networks.

Mentoring experiences

“Everyone shines under the right light” said Shammah Wema Oduor, a fourth year Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Sciences student as he exhorts his fellow students to meet their mentors regularly. Further, Diana Adhiambo, also a fourth year student, emphasised the importance of feedback from her mentor which she attests helped her in personal self-improvement.

The week’s activities ended on a creative note during the family got talent cocktail. Various outstanding performances were featured including a rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by Raymond Kiyegga’s mentoring family, karaoke performances of famous blasts from the past by Celestine Kanjama’s mentoring family and Albert Apela – the chorale choir master.

Dr. Elizabeth Gachenga, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, officially closed the week’s activities by thanking all the students and mentors for their enthusiasm and awarding various prizes to those who participated. Many thanks to Tuskys Supermarket and Intercontinental Hotels Group for supporting Mentoring Awareness Week and providing the many shopping and meal vouchers.

Mentoring is part of the mission of Strathmore to provide an all-round quality education and all students are encouraged to meet their mentor regularly.

 

This article was written by Ruby Kimondo, Administrator, Student Mentoring Services. 

If you have a story, kindly email: communications@strathmore.edu