The KUZA Mentorship Program, under the Java Foundation, recently brought to life a transformative Job Shadowing experience for students at Ngunyumu Primary School, offering real-world career exposure in ways that inspire, educate, and ignite ambition.
Did you know KUZA is a Swahili word meaning nurture? This powerful word perfectly captures the heart of our program: nurturing the potential of young learners by helping them see what’s possible beyond the classroom.
What is KUZA?
KUZA is a mentorship initiative designed for students in Grades 6–9 at Gatina and Ngunyumu Primary Schools. Its mission is to provide mentorship and career exposure to help students from underserved communities discover real-world opportunities and pursue their aspirations with confidence.
The Experience
The recent Job Shadowing Day started at Java Roastery, where students learned how coffee is roasted to perfection, sparking questions, curiosity, and even a few “wow” moments.
From there, they explored the storage and logistics area, learning how ingredients and supplies are tracked and managed before use. Then came a delicious deep-dive into our bakery, where pupils watched fresh pastries come to life, and later, the butchery, where the team explained how food safety and quality control are ensured with every cut.
As a thank-you, students were gifted with a special package from Java, a small reminder of the big dreams they carry.
But the learning didn’t stop there.
Next stop? Tatu City.
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Here, students explored a world of possibilities:
- Real estate developments and city planning
- Operational factories and business zones
- A flourishing horticulture hub
- A sustainable tree nursery growing mature trees in planting bags, a powerful glimpse into smart cities and green innovation
Why This Matters
For many of these pupils, this was their first exposure to such environments. The KUZA program gives them tangible experiences, making careers feel less like distant ideas and more like real, attainable goals.
We extend our deepest thanks to our partners at Tatu City, Foodscape, and the incredible educators and mentors who continue to make this possible.
Want to Partner with Us?
We’re always looking for organizations, mentors, and supporters to join this mission. If you’d like to open doors for the next generation and be part of this meaningful cause, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Us:
foundation@javahouseafrica.com
0709 283 000/ 0709 283 206