Empowerment

The Girls Empowerment Team (GET UP) is a cornerstone of our efforts to uplift and support young girls. This program is designed to address the unique challenges that girls face, particularly in a region where cultural norms and limited resources often hinder their education and personal development.

We mentor over 1,500 girls each year. Through GET UP, we provide comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health, which is crucial in a community where teenage pregnancies and early marriages are common. We believe that by equipping girls with knowledge about their bodies and their rights, we can help them make informed decisions and avoid the pitfalls that have held back many before them.

In addition to health education, we offer career mentorship, helping girls envision and work towards futures where they can pursue their dreams. Our mentorship program connects girls with their peers and positive role models who guide them through the challenges of adolescence.

An essential component of our Girls Empowerment initiative is the distribution of sanitary towels. We provide a year's supply of sanitary products to at least 1,500 girls each year. This not only ensures that girls can attend school without interruption but also alleviates the financial burden on their families. We anticipate that the surplus from these supplies often benefits other family members, extending our impact beyond just the enrolled students.

We also organize retreats for high school girls in the senior GET UP program, where they receive intensive mentorship and engage in cultural activities designed to build confidence and self-esteem. These retreats bring together girls from various backgrounds, along with successful women who share their experiences and provide guidance. The retreats are a powerful platform for girls to learn, grow, and support each other as they navigate the challenges of adolescence.

The Boys Empowerment Team (BET UP) mirrors our efforts with girls but focuses on the unique challenges that boys face in Kenya. BET UP is designed to mentor teenage boys, helping them develop into responsible, respectful, and empowered young men who can contribute positively to their communities.

We provide mentorship to over 1,000 boys each year. Through BET UP, we provide mentorship that emphasizes the importance of education, respect for women, and the role of boys as future leaders. Our program challenges harmful gender norms and promotes a culture of respect and equality.

We also distribute essential items such as undergarments and vests to 1,500 boys annually, ensuring that they have the basic necessities to attend school with dignity and focus. The provision of these items, though simple, has a significant impact on the self-esteem and school attendance of these boys.

BET UP also organizes retreats for high school boys. These retreats are opportunities for the boys to receive tailored guidance and support from mentors, including alumni of our programs who have gone on to succeed in university or their careers. The retreats are designed to foster a sense of community and belonging, helping boys build the confidence and skills they need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and become valuable members of society.

We recognize that to create lasting change, we must engage not just the children but also their parents and guardians. Our Guardian Empowerment Program is a critical component of our strategy to transform the lives of students we support. Our programs for guardians are designed to mirror the lessons we teach the children, ensuring that the values of empowerment, education, and respect are reinforced at home.

Our Guardian Group consists of over 1,500 members. We offer training in income-generating activities, such as table banking and small business management, to help guardians become more financially stable. By improving the economic situation of these families, we reduce the pressures that often lead to school dropouts and other challenges for the children.

We also provide foster parent training, recognizing the unique challenges that come with raising vulnerable and orphaned children. Our training helps foster parents create supportive, nurturing environments where children can thrive. This holistic approach ensures that the empowerment we strive for in the schools is continued and supported at home, creating a stable foundation for the children's future.