Jesse OdippoAt Jabulani Youths for Transformation (JAY4T), we believe in the power of feedback to drive meaningful change.
Rethinking Youth Unemployment Solutions
For years, both public and private sector players in Kenya have attempted to tackle youth unemployment through training programs, startup incubation, and capital provision. JAY4T initially followed similar approaches, offering capacity-building programs to empower young people. However, despite these efforts, unemployment rates in Kisumu continued to rise.
Through a deep process of reflection and feedback, we realized that our intervention models were not creating sustainable employment opportunities. We engaged with young people from our programs and beyond, actively listening to their experiences, skills, and aspirations. Their feedback revealed that traditional training and capital-focused interventions were insufficient. What they needed was a system that recognized them as human capital—not just as job seekers or beneficiaries, but as contributors to their local economies.
The Shift to an Asset-Based Approach
Inspired by insights from GlobalGiving’s Sharing Power Through Co-Creation Guide, we shifted our focus from aid and training to an asset-based entrepreneurship program. This new approach acknowledges the potential within young people and the resources they already have access to. Instead of designing programs in isolation, we created the Employment Collective, an interactive forum where unemployed youth can collaborate, share opportunities, and develop economic enterprises based on their existing skills and networks.
This transformation was fueled by active listening. By prioritizing the voices of young people, we learned that sustainable change comes from linking isolated talents and opportunities to create value. Our role evolved from being direct implementers to facilitators of connections, enabling youth to leverage their own strengths and resources.
The Role of Feedback in Sustainable Change
JAY4T’s journey underscores the importance of perceptual feedback in social impact work. Our experience has shown that effective listening goes beyond collecting opinions—it requires meaningful engagement, co-creation, and the willingness to pivot based on community insights.
Through our Employment Collective, we continue to act on the feedback we receive by:
- Creating spaces for open dialogue, where young people can express their challenges and ideas freely.
- Encouraging peer-to-peer collaboration, allowing youth to learn from and support each other.
- Providing access to resources and tools, helping young entrepreneurs and job seekers turn ideas into action.
- Continuously iterating on our programs, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of the community.
We remain committed to fostering a culture of listening and co-creation, ensuring that youth voices shape the future of of employment solutions in Kenya. We invite others to join us in this journey—whether by engaging in our Employment Collective, sharing insights on feedback practices, or collaborating on innovative solutions. Together, we can transform feedback into real, sustainable growth.
