Aquatech Company, a team from Limuru Girls High School emerged winner of the Social Innovation Relay (SIR) after coming up with a portable “fishpond”, a product that aims to eradicate world hunger through regular fish supply.
Aquatech was among 6 student teams selected to participate in the final competition that was held at the University of Nairobi in October. The competition initially attracted a total of 1000 teams from different schools across the country, 80 more than those that participated in 2021.
Speaking during the event, John Wali, CEO of Junior Achievement Kenya said, “We are elated to be hosting the Social Innovation Relay once again. This year, we saw 1000 teams present their innovative ideas and of 1000, 6 teams developed a readymade product. We look forward to seeing which of the teams will emerge the winner today.”
Last year’s winners, NOVA Pioneer Tatu Girls School, won the SIR competition after coming up with an application that addresses mental health issues. The team also scooped the Grand Prize for their innovation, “Project Yoof” in the 11th JA Africa Company of the Year Competition hosted by JA Mauritius. This year’s winners will represent Kenya in the Africa competitions which will take place in Lagos, Nigeria in December 2022.
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The Social Innovation Relay is a national competition in which high school students are invited to submit their innovative ideas aimed at improving and making an impact
in their communities. The program also entails comprehensive mentorship sessions by experienced business mentors from organizations such as NCBA Bank.
This year’s theme, “Reimagining the SDG” challenged students to come up with ideas that would solve issues highlighted in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking during the event, NCBA Deputy Director Marketing & Group Head of Brands, Jacquie Muhati said, “Not only does social innovation solve youth challenges but they are also key to meeting the SDGs set out by the United Nations. Social innovators are acutely aware of the issues at the ground level and demonstrate impact in more.
granular detail than the SDGs. They also tackle several issues captured by the SDGs as they understand the interconnectedness of the problems and seek to address them through contextually relevant models.”
“I must admit that it is exciting to see the great inventions that will be presented today, inventions that will in one way or another, transform the nation and propel it to greatness,” she added.
NCBA has partnered with Junior Achievement Kenya for the past 17 years to promote entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy among high school and university students. The funding for the JA Social Innovation Challenge is part of NCBA’s commitment to supporting young people to acquire financial literacy, develop entrepreneurial skills, and create jobs that make communities more robust.
