Stories from M_OliveS trained mentors

I am Jeffrey Ferezy, Executive Director of Afrika Transition Hub and a proud member of the pioneering cohort of the Ignite Your Mentoring Passion Program. When I first joined the program, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. But looking back, it has been one of the most transformative experiences in my journey as a mentor and leader.

Over the past two years, I've had the privilege of engaging and supporting over 1,000 young professionals as they transition from college into the marketplace. The impact has been deeply fulfilling, reflected not only in their growth, but also in the powerful testimonials we continue to receive from those we serve. This level of impact would not have been possible without the foundation, structure, and mindset I gained through the Ignite Your Mentoring Passion Program [IYMP].

Today, we are leading initiatives that are shaping the future of work for young people across Africa. One of our current projects focuses on equipping and connecting 5,000 TVET graduates to opportunities within the construction and agriculture value chains especially within emerging sectors such as housing and agribusiness. A key focus of our work is empowering young women, particularly in construction, a traditionally male-dominated field. We are intentional about ensuring that at least 70% of the young women we engage are successfully connected to these opportunities, creating pathways for inclusion and economic empowerment.

As we pursue our vision of impacting 1 million graduates across Africa by 2030, I remain deeply grateful to Dr. Wairimu M Kamore for believing in me and walking this journey with me from the very beginning in 2022. Your guidance helped shape not just my path, but the lives of many young people we now serve.

I can confidently say this: IYMP Program doesn't just train mentors it transforms them. And through those mentors, countless lives are impacted. If you are considering joining the Program, I encourage you to take that step. The investment you make in yourself will ripple into the lives of many others.

My mentorship journey began when I was recognized by my employer, Outspan Global University, for my natural ability to connect with young people. I discovered a deep passion for listening—truly listening—to students, understanding their strengths, and helping them see how they could grow and make the most of their potential. What started as an informal engagement soon became a calling.

Driven by the desire to be more effective, I enrolled in a seven-week mentorship course with M_OliveS Mentoring Consultants. This experience transformed my approach, giving structure and depth to what I had previously done intuitively. I gained essential skills such as active listening, the GROW model in mentorship, emotional intelligence, and appreciative inquiry. These tools not only enhanced my ability to guide others but also sharpened my self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness.

With this foundation, I went on to establish a more structured mentorship program, bringing on board colleagues who shared a similar passion for student development. Together, we created a supportive environment where students could openly engage, reflect, and grow. Those who identified me as their mentor and committed to the journey have experienced meaningful transformation. I have witnessed improvements in their academic performance, shifts in attitude, and a renewed sense of purpose. They have grown into better versions of themselves, which remains one of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey.

Equally significant has been my own personal growth. Mentorship has shaped me into a more empathetic, patient, and intentional individual. Each interaction has been a learning opportunity, reinforcing the idea that mentorship is a two-way process.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Outspan Global University, Dr. Lydia Muthoni, for the opportunity and support, and to the Director of M-Olives, Dr. Wairimu M Kamore, for the invaluable mentorship training and lasting impact.

When I joined the 7-week mentorship program at M_OliveS Mentoring Consultants, I was already walking a deeply personal journey of rebuilding my life after loss. I was a widow, a mother of three daughters, and a professional woman navigating grief while trying to remain strong for everyone around me. What I did not fully realize then was that I was standing at the edge of transformation.

The mentorship program did more than equip me with skills: it gave structure, language, and confidence to the purpose that had been quietly forming within me.

Through the GROW Model, I learned how to guide conversations with clarity and intention. It sharpened my ability to help widows move from emotional overwhelm to practical action.

Through Active Listening, I discovered the power of presence. Many widows do not need quick solutions; they need to feel seen, heard, and understood. The program deepened my ability to hold space without rushing healing.

Through Appreciative Inquiry, I shifted from focusing only on what was broken to helping women rediscover what still remains: their strength, resilience, skills, faith, and capacity to rebuild.

And through Emotional Intelligence, I learned to navigate not only my own grief triggers, but also the complex emotional landscapes of the women I now serve. I became more aware, more compassionate, and more intentional in my leadership.

These tools did not remain theory. They became the foundation upon which I wrote my book, Grace in the Ashes, a deeply personal and practical guide for widows learning to rebuild their lives emotionally, spiritually, and financially.

In Grace in the Ashes, I combine my lived experience as a widow, my professional background as a Certified Public Accountant, and the coaching skills refined through the M_OliveS mentorship program. The book walks widows through the seasons of devastation, desperation, exploration and ultimately creation, helping them move from survival to purpose.

Today, I use the very tools I learned to help widows:

• Clarify their goals
• Make sound financial decisions
• Process grief with emotional awareness
• Rediscover purpose after loss

The mentorship did not just shape my skillset, it strengthened my calling. Through grace, structure, and intentional guidance, I now help widows rebuild their lives with confidence and hope.

Years ago, someone spoke my name to a person who would later become my mentor. Through M_OliveS Mentoring Consultants, I was connected to a guide who walked alongside me in a season that quietly reshaped my future. The relationship we built shifted the trajectory of my life both personally and professionally. It gave me clarity when I felt uncertain, confidence when I doubted myself and courage to grow beyond my comfort zone. Life did not suddenly become easier, but the weight of decision-making became lighter because I was no longer navigating alone.

Years later, my guide and mentor Dr. Wairimu M Kamore spoke my name in a room I may not have entered alone and to a person who also became an additional guide. Over time, I have encountered mentors who walked with me for a season and others who continue to shape my path. One of the greatest privileges of this journey has been witnessing the ripple effect of mentorship and seeing its impact on others' personal and professional growth, including in my day-to-day work at Capital Strategies Kenya Ltd, where I have had the opportunity to oversee and support the design, delivery and implementation of mentorship programs. I have also been privileged to mentor others in return, paying forward what was once generously given to me, while continuing to refine my own mentorship skills through the M_OliveS Mentoring Program.

This is how we rise, by holding the next person's hand and by allowing ourselves to be held.

With love,
A Mentored Woman

I completed a Mentors Training with M_OliveS Mentors (Cohort 9), where I developed practical and transformative skills in guiding and supporting students in my workplace.

Through this program, I gained a deeper understanding of the purpose of mentoring and the distinct roles of mentors and mentees in fostering growth and accountability. I was trained in applying the GROW Model (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward) to help students set meaningful goals and take actionable steps toward achieving them.

The training also strengthened my Emotional Intelligence and introduced me to Appreciative Inquiry, among others, enabling me to focus on students' strengths and potential.

These skills have not only enhanced my personal and professional development, but they also enable me to effectively guide and support students in their university journey, assisting them in growing personally and academically, while preparing for their future careers as we walk alongside each other during their time at the university.

When I joined the M_OliveS Mentorship Program, I was searching for practical ways to better support children and teenagers beyond the counselling space. I have always been passionate about walking alongside young people as they navigate life's challenges, and I believed that mentorship could beautifully complement the counselling skills I already had.

Through the program, I discovered that mentorship is not about giving all the answers, it is about offering guidance, encouragement, and support that empowers mentees to find direction for themselves. I learned that a mentor's role is to help young people unlock their potential, think through their challenges, and develop meaningful strategies that move them closer to their goals.

Today, I have the privilege of facilitating a mentorship program for young girls aged 11–12 years, where we create safe and meaningful spaces to talk about identity, self-worth, confidence, healthy friendships and many more topics. Seeing these girls open up, learn, and grow reminds me why mentorship matters so much.

I am deeply grateful for the skills and insights I gained through the M_OliveS Mentorship Program.

Looking back on my journey through the mentorship program, I am truly grateful for the learning, growth, and meaningful experiences it has provided.

From the assignments and interactive learning sessions to the practical experience of engaging with my mentee, every stage of the program challenged me to reflect, learn, and grow.

One of the most valuable lessons for me was realizing that mentorship is not only about guiding someone else, it is also a journey of self-discovery and continuous learning. Through the assignments and practical sessions, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of listening, asking meaningful questions, appreciating people's strengths, communicating with empathy, and supporting others to identify their own potential and solutions.

The practical session with my mentee gave me firsthand experience of the power of meaningful conversations and intentional guidance.

I am leaving this program with greater self-awareness, improved skills, and a renewed appreciation for the impact that mentorship can have not only on the mentee, but also on the mentor.

I am grateful to M_OliveS and everyone who made this journey possible and look forward to applying these lessons in my personal, professional, and leadership journey.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the M_OliveS Mentoring Group for the enriching training and mentorship experience.

Thank you for equipping me with valuable skills in mentoring, leadership for high-performing teams, personal and professional growth, building successful mentoring programs, emotional intelligence, and effective communication. Each session was insightful, practical, and inspiring, providing me with knowledge and confidence that I will apply in both my personal life and professional journey.

I truly appreciate the dedication, expertise, and encouragement of the facilitators and the entire M_OliveS Mentoring Group. Your commitment to empowering others has made a lasting impact on me. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an exceptional team and look forward to putting these lessons into practice as I continue to grow and positively influence others.

Thank you once again for your invaluable investment in my development. May the M_OliveS Mentoring Group continue transforming lives and inspiring excellence.

Participating in the M_OliveS Mentoring Program has been a truly impactful and transformative journey for me. Through the different assignments and guided activities, I gained practical skills that have changed how I think, communicate, and relate with others.

A major part of the program was creating a personal work plan, which gave me clear direction on how I would apply what I learned. My focus is on mentoring teenagers in the society. I am committed to helping them develop emotional intelligence, manage stress effectively, improve their communication skills, and maintain a positive mindset. I want to guide them in understanding and managing their emotions so they can make wise decisions and handle challenges with resilience.

To achieve this, I plan to:

• Conduct regular mentorship sessions focused on emotional awareness, stress management, communication, and personal growth
• Apply appreciative inquiry by encouraging teenagers to focus on their strengths and potential
• Lead by example by demonstrating emotional control, healthy stress management, respectful communication, and positivity
• Continuously improve myself through learning, reflection, and feedback

This program has equipped me not only with knowledge but with a clear purpose and action plan. I am excited to use these skills to make a positive impact in the lives of young people and in my community.

I am truly grateful to M_OliveS Mentoring for this opportunity, and I hope my journey inspires others to embrace growth, manage challenges positively, and use their strengths to uplift those around them.

The biggest lesson I learned is digital stewardship and discernment from Ephesians 5:15-16. I realized my phone, data, and attention are like my pasture - if I don't manage them well, weeds grow and thieves come in.

I learned to use my phone as a farm tool. Now I check market prices before selling, watch vet videos on YouTube to treat my goats, and verify every buyer before sending my location. I stopped forwarding rumors and started sharing truth in my farmer WhatsApp groups.

My action plan moving forward is to mentor younger people about farming - many youth here think farming is for old men, but truth be said, farming has a lot of money if well managed. I want to show 5 young people this year how to start with small goats and use their phones to learn, budget, and sell.

Through the digital skills and the GROW Model I learned, I will train my fellow farmers on spotting online scams and keeping digital records for their livestock and also grow my herd from 50 to 100 goats in 12 months.

M_OliveS taught me that digital life isn't just about apps. It's about wisdom, honour, and purpose. I joined to be mentored. Now I'm ready to mentor others. If this goat farmer can do it, any farmer can.

Thank you, M_OliveS, for teaching me to walk wisely.

The Mentoring program has positively impacted my life as an individual and as a mentor. In the mentoring world, it has improved my questioning, listening and reframing skills. Initially, I used to listen to respond, not to understand. This, together with appreciative inquiry, has made my mentoring process quite productive.

As a teacher, the skills gained have made a good number of students gain more trust in me, developed more liking and overall academic improvement in their final examination — and later joining their preferred courses in universities and colleges.

Currently, I am working on getting the best in my mentee, now in university.

Long live M_OliveS Family.

This was a great experience to say the least. Dr Mary handled it with grace and was very inspiring. The journey was great and created a perfect balance since it was during the busiest times of the year for me, though I made the most out of the sessions. The program helped me learn a lot about myself because every skill shared I used as a self-analysis tool in order to better my own understanding of myself. The program helped with understanding not only my mentee's areas of improvement but also my own. The skills learned, especially the understanding of emotional intelligence, encouraged me to be better in my leadership at my business, increased my problem-solving techniques and I became excellent at communication.

After completing this program I am looking forward to building stronger relationships at my place of work and to becoming a way better leader and mentor. Continuing with my mentee will also help me learn through the sessions and become good at guidance in my future sessions with others. I always strive to make a positive impact in society, and as I embark on a journey to guide young high school girls through their trials and hard days, I will continue to improve my abilities beyond the program. This program has also given me the ability and will to be a great CEO and continue to inspire young people through my work and community service. I would highly recommend this program, for it is valuable and it builds skills, confidence, and getting to hear the mindset of others in the program helps in learning from the experience fully.

For the last three years, I have been enthusiastic to leverage my Start & Improve Your Business skills, a discipline that M_OliveS Mentoring Consultants helped to upscale when they offered training to Business Mentors who had been contracted by Capital Strategies Kenya Ltd in cooperation with KCB Group to train and mentor youth for the MSME 2024–2025 program.

Besides, it has been through M_OliveS that I have been able to integrate my counseling and mediation skills to offer therapy sessions to those within my reach through church programs; for instance, I have been helping the vulnerable in society at KAG Church, Nyeri.

I am currently a Court Annexed Mediator, using the skills acquired at M_OliveS with Dr. Wairimu M Kamore to assist parties to solve their disputes amicably.

Through collaboration with other dispute resolution experts, I am the lead trainer at Frank Fount Mediation and Consultancies, where mentorship is addressed at both individual and group levels as need be.

Networking is one of the cherished values that M_OliveS has ignited in my endeavors, and I am still ready to reap big as I keep abreast with the M_OliveS programs.

Long live M_OliveS Mentors.