Kenya-Help.org, a Kenya self-help project

WHAT WE DO
We support a comprehensive girls health and education initiative in local primary schools to improve girls school attendance and provide essential health information and material support.

THE SITUATION
Lacking money for underwear and sanitary supplies, adolescent girls stay home during their menstrual periods. Falling behind in their school work, girls feel discouraged and drop out of school. More than 70% of the region's girls do not finish grade eight. Outside of school's environment, girls are cut off from receiving critical health and AIDS education and are pressured for early marriage. AIDS prevalence among girls in this district is 25%, compared to the national average of 6.7%.

HELP YOUNG GIRLS STAY IN SCHOOL
DAISY & HER CLASSMATES ASK FOR HELP:

"The girl child, who was once cast off and despised, is becoming a cornerstone of our homes. Girls are building pillars. To the parents and teachers, please help us realize our dreams, before we are dumped into the yawning earth. Look at the toilet they [KSHP] have built just for girls;sanitary towels to our sides; and the girls' programme are all at our toes. We as girls, we appreciate your development, seminars and teachings."
"Please do not stop your initiatives in Kendu Bay until the last girl will be born."

GIRLS NEED:

SUPPLIES: DIGNITY KITS for adolescent girls
       Target population: 850 adolescent girls at 18 partner schools
       Goal: $25/girl

CLUBS: GIRLS CLUB & BOYS CLUB support
       Target population: students in 23 primary schools, grades 4-8
       Student population served: 6,800 students
       Goal: $10 per 20 students

INCENTIVES: TEXTBOOKS, grades 6-7-8
       Target population: 6 schools 'most improved' in girls' attendance and
       reduction of pregnancies
       Student population served: 900 students
       Goal: $5/student
                $100 per class

BY THE NUMBERS

- More than 600 adolescent girls received personal 'Dignity Kits' this year.
- Twelve partner schools participated in girl child program development and teacher training.
- More than 600 girls in grades 4-8 participate in Girls Club education and activities.
- School enrollment and retention of girls is increasing; girls enrollment at Migingo Primary has risen 20% in two years, while enrollment at schools not yet served continues to fall.

REPORT CARD FROM KENDU BAY

"Cases of pregnancy in the twelve schools are diminishing by the day as the girls are learning the importance of keeping their virginity and concentrating on their studies. Out of the twelve schools, we have only two isolated cases of pregnancy, as compared to the schools that don't have girl child clubs - for example, Simbi Primary school, which has recorded 17 cases of pregnancy this year."

"Distribution of Dignity Kits and Girls Clubs have greatly improved the performance of girls in partner schools. Clubs also boosted their confidence, as they are now free to discuss problems affecting them and even counsel one another if one is deviating from the positive values discussed in girl child clubs."

"Clubs have fostered healthy competition between the boys and the girls. The top position that, for a long time, has been the preserve of the boy child is now history. This year, the second best student in entire zone is Winnie Awuor from Migingo Primary, one of our schools."

"The girls are now in school all term round as absenteeism has become a thing of the past. Girls are also cleaner now, since they have been taught hygiene and proper care of sanitary towels."

"Lastly, the community members have developed a positive attitude towards girl child education with their daily mantra being EDUCATE A GIRL CHILD AND YOU EDUCATE THE WHOLE SOCIETY."

OUR 2013 GOALS

To implement a Girls Club curriculum that promotes mutual respect of gender and health education.
To expand Girls Club education and Dignity Kit distribution into ALL 23 partner schools.