The Nairobi Chapel mentoring ministry among the Nairobi University women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to generate theory about effective mentoring among female Nairobi University students. A grounded theory design was used to analyze the data. Six female Nairobi University students and four church-leaders who were involved together in mentoring groups were interviewed for this study. The study discovered that effective mentoring is the outcome of a growing intimacy between mentor and mentorees within a relationship of affirmation, support, guidance and spiritual teaching. A three stage phenomenon was established in the process of building intimacy. The first stage was initiation or point of entry into the mentoring relationship. The spiritual interest and connection with others drew in the mentorees. The second stage was continuation where commitment and friendship within the mentoring group deepened the relationship. The third stage was maturation where the relationship settled and a sense of belonging was achieved. Each of these stages were marked by increased involvement and self-disclosure. The relationship between the three stages was explored. The interrelationships of the causal conditions, the context, the intervening conditions and the strategies in the evolving theory regarding effective mentoring among the female Nairobi University student were enumerated. The positive outcomes were highlighted. A visual model of the entire effective mentoring process was advanced. Finally suggestions were made to facilitate the establishment of effective mentoring.