A candid talk like no other

This week, we had a roundtable chat that discussed unemployment, mental health, peer pressure, family and societal expectations among the youth.

We chose these topics because they are some of the key issues that young people are concerned about going by their discussions in various fora: Facebook, Twitter and from our experience producing content for this age group.

Celine Yuppie, 21 (student, actor), Kabura Ng’ang’a, 24 (writer), Cicino Kevin, 24 (actor, comedian, creative), Edwin Mwangi, 27 (entrepreneur) and Wendy Omanga, 25 (student, model) are the individuals leading this discussion for us.

The government, through the Higher Education Loans Board, HELB, gives financial aid to students in higher institutions of learning.

While some students are able to use the money to successfully finance their education, the rising cost of tuition in tertiary institutions forces some students to seek heavier loans. Getting this loan is not guaranteed though, some get it, others do not.

The Higher Education Loans Board expects beneficiaries to commence repayment a year after graduation or sooner, after which the loan attracts a four per cent per annum interest.

What is your experience of student loans?

Kabura: While in school, one does not think much of the loan, but as soon as you graduate and interest begins to accumulate, reality checks in. In my case, HELB was helpful because I was able to pay for my education, but I have no means to repay because a job is not forthcoming, yet the interest continues to accumulate, the loan has become a stressor.

Edwin: I applied for HELB four times but did not get it – I am glad I didn’t because I am not in debt. My observation is that those that get the loan yet their parents are already paying their school fees are likely to misuse it, it doesn’t occur to them that they will eventually have to repay the money.

Cicino: I did not go beyond secondary school because my interest is in the creative world. I however think that if you choose to apply for a student loan, you should invest some of that money in a venture that will earn you will earn you money. It is okay to have fun, but you need to realise that after school, it will not be easy to get someone to loan you money for anything, so use what you have now prudently. From what I hear my friends say, students treat student loans like salaries.

Kabura: I think it is unfair to accuse students of misusing the money they get. A 19-year-old does not know much about financial management – I didn’t at that age. How many parents give their children financial advice? My suggestion would be that young people get some guidance from their parents before they take loans.

Wendy: I am a student and I have a HELB loan, which I often wonder how I will repay in these very uncertain economic times once I graduate.

UNEMPLOYMENT
A 2018 Daily Nation report placed youth unemployment at 70 per cent, while the International Labour Organisation, in the same year, released a report that highlighted the dire situation of global unemployment.

“Even though global unemployment has stabilised, decent work deficits remain widespread: the global economy is still not creating enough jobs,” ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said.

What do you think about the unemployment situation in the country?

Celine: I am in my third year at university, the possibility of ending up unemployed worries me. For example, I am taking Bachelor of Commerce degree, but without the additional CPAs that employers ask for, this degree can be a waste of time. My parents will therefore still have to pay for the CPAs, and even then, there is still no guarantee that I will get a job. Or I will have to make do with a job that is not in my area of study. It is all too uncertain.

Cicino: I am self-employed, and since I have relied on myself for a long time, I do not overlook any job. I have also realised that most successful people do not have only one job, which is why I dabble in a number of things, including acting and directing.

Edwin: I got a job as a merchandiser for a certain company for about a year, between 2011 and 2012 when I was still in university. That experience taught me that the school system should encourage students to do business. I studied a course, (BCOM), that I was not really interested in because my parents insisted that it was lucrative, yet I have never really been employed since I graduated, in fact, most of the people I graduated with are still unemployed.

I taught myself graphic design skills, skills that earn me a living. I think being unemployed is a choice. Identify a problem within your community and develop a solution for it. For example, I sell septic solutions, an idea that emanated from the need to get rid of smelly toilets in my neighbourhood.

Kabura: The problem of unemployment begins with the way that education is packaged. From the moment we join university, we are made to believe that we are building a career. Soon after graduation, it is normal to turn down a job because you feel that it is off your target. Reality begins to hit you when you still do not have a job a year later. I moved from building a career to simply wanting a job. The government insists that there are opportunities for young people when there aren’t.

Cicino: We must realise that some are simply not gifted in academics or have no interest. The education I got in secondary school did not yield much, so I simply focused on things I am passionate about. Acting and comedy. My growth has been steady, but it has taken time, patience and dedication. Some start businesses and expect to earn money immediately, when this does not happen, they get discouraged.

Wendy: At the end of the day, it is about the skills we have, so maybe it is about time we actively invest in vocational skills. For a long time, we have been fed the idea that only white collar jobs are worthy. We need to change our mindset and work towards gaining hands-on skills.

For example, I see many elderly women in Kariokor (Market) making viondos (baskets) which fetch good prices in the international market, yet these skills are hardly being passed on to young people. This is an example of where we can begin to fix things.

Cicino: The government should also give room for up and coming creatives to grow. As things stand now, it has become too expensive to get, say, licenses and other documents you need to set up a business. The government should support unemployed young people who are trying to be innovative, rather than making it difficult for them.

Wendy: I also feel that we are let down by the education system. People do better depending on what they are exposed to. Our education system does not teach us how to run our projects and how to think critically. Some can have very good ideas but have no idea how to turn them into lucrative ventures.

In 2015, the Ministry of Health launched a mental health policy to address the mental health systemic challenges, emerging trends and mitigate the burden of mental disorders.

Going by the rising number of suicide cases in Kenya, a direct consequence of poor mental health, there can never be a more important document to implement.

According to the World Health Organisation, globally, one person commits suicide every 40 seconds. A 2018 Business Daily data analysis article on suicide rates in Kenya found that the number of suicides reported in Kenya rose by 58 per cent between 2008 and 2017.

What do you think is the challenge of mental health, especially among the youth? What do you notice in your spaces?

Wendy: In Africa, we do not view mental health as a problem. I also think that technology has contributed to increased cases of poor mental health. We spend too much time online looking at how well our friends are doing, and slowly, feelings of inferiority begin to creep in.

Cicino: People do not speak up. I have those that I speak to even about very sensitive issues. Even if something is deep and very private, look for someone to open up to because there is hardly anything new under the sun.

Edwin: When it comes to the state of one’s mental health, it boils down to an individual’s approach to life. I take the simple approach, so nothing really causes me serious stress. I am also careful not to magnify small issues such as having my job application rejected.

Celine: There are times when I would really like to share what I am going through, but past experience discourages me – I once shared a problem I had with someone, only for that person to start gossiping about me.

Wendy: I think seeking professional help is important when you’re going through a difficult time because professionals have been specifically trained to give that kind of help. We all need access to this kind of safe space.

Kabura: People approach life differently. We have those who are simply not comfortable opening up their lives to scrutiny, we therefore need to be the friend that checks up on their friends and insists to know how they really are faring. Honestly find out how people are. I also think that expecting too much from others could be the root cause of most mental breakdowns. We need to recognise that other people are also facing their own challenges.

Cicino: We also need to be real, this way, you have less to worry about and those around you are better able to help you.

Edwin: There is also the burden of societal expectations. Many, especially artists who I closely work with, are under pressure to look like they are making it.

For men, it mostly manifests in trying hard to impress women, but then after you look back and realise the consequences of blowing the only money you had on portraying a flashy life, stress begins.

Wendy: Struggling to please people that do not really care about you and the need to keep up appearances is our undoing. I also think that as a generation, we are far from our creator - we need to invest in our relationships with God and take some time to look inwards. We cannot afford to neglect our spiritual lives.

FAMILY AND SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS

You are young adults now with a bit of independence and bargaining power. What have been your experiences with family and societal expectations?

Cicino: I am an actor, so I appear on TV once in a while. Due to this, some friends assume that I have lots of money, so they expect me to help with their bills and live in a certain kind of house, for instance.

Wendy: Most parents believe that their children must have a stable job. In my case, my family is still struggling to understand the link between the political science degree I am studying and the modelling I do. I have no real support from my family, yet I come across strangers who really appreciate my work and what I do. I believe that family should be our first cheerleaders and greatest supporters.

Celine: I once appeared on a dating show on TV, and my family did not take it well. When I got a second chance to appear on another show, I flatly refused the offer due to the negative reaction I got the first time.

Cicino: Society tends to judge you harshly when people do not understand you or what is motivating you. For instance, it was difficult for me to cut a niche in acting because those around me did not think that it was a useful career.

Cicino: Most parents aren't always right about their children’s future career choices. Drawing from conversations I’ve had with friends, I think parents like quick fixes – they want their children to get jobs that will instantly get them lots of money, they are not willing to be patient for their children’s careers to grow.

Wendy: I also think that sometimes, parents are too controlling even of their children’s romantic relationships.

Celine: Parents should stop comparing their children to other people’s. For example, when they see a neighbour’s child doing better than their own, they wonder why their child is not doing as well. This kind of pressure can drive one to make bad decisions.

What identity issues are you navigating?

Celine: I feel that there is discrimination against dark-skinned women, we are made to feel that we are not worthy enough or as good-looking as our lighter-skinned peers. I will give you an example – I am constantly on the lookout for side hustles, once in a while, I get brand promotion gigs, but sometimes I am rejected just because of my skin colour.

Wendy: It took me a while to understand that not everyone’s intention is noble. In the past, I have confided in the wrong people and have had to deal with mental issues that got me to a bad place. I found Jesus in the midst of all these challenges and now my life is calm. I also understand who I am better. Growth, I have learnt, is a process.

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