Kenya
Children
Updates from the Field - Empowering Girls in Kibera
Updates from the FieldUpdates from the Field (or Progress Reports) on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.com by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
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Recent Updates from the Field
- Oct 15, 2009 - Visiting Carolinas for Kibera and meeting clients in Kibera
- Jul 9, 2009 - A Postcard from Empowering Girls in Kibera
- Dec 18, 2008 - CFK Day in Kibera
- Jan 4, 2008 - Violence in Kibera and Kenya - Update from CFK
- Nov 5, 2007 - Quarterly report from the Binti Pamoja Center at Carolina for Kibera in Kenya!
- Aug 16, 2007 - Binti Girls Paint Mural and Take Field Trip to Undugu Girls Center
Visiting Carolinas for Kibera and meeting clients in Kibera
By Leah Ambwaya - Evaluator for GlobalGiving, October 15, 2009 12:34 PM
One day before our visit, I call and talk to Mohamed, the CEO of Carolina for Kibera. He is more that willing to meet our team and so he gives us an appointment to meet him and his team.
As we approach the offices, we notice about three four-wheel drive vehicles with diplomatic number plates parked outside the offices which are in the sprawling Kibera slums. I call Mohammed just to let him know that our team has arrived. “Sorry Leah, I am in the field , but just get to the office and talk to the people there.” This takes me by surprise, but I realize that this being a community project each and every person is empowered with information.
The security person ushers us to a meeting place, and then calls one of the officers from the main office to come and attend to us. He introduces himself as Ben Hagai, a program officer for Sexual and reproductive health. As we settle down to talk, Mohamed walks in and requests Ben to let him talk to us. This soft spoken man then takes us step by step on how the organization was started and its mission. He is full of praise of their relationship with GlobalGiving.
“If I can remember, GG gave us money in 2003 which we used to establish the health clinic, (Tabitha Medical Clinic). Since then, they have not given us any monetary support, but the fact they profile our work on their site has given us a lot of mileage for which we are truly grateful," says Mohamed.
"GG has created a lot of awareness through online documentation of our work," he says. However, this gentleman puts more emphasis on GG being able to ensure that projects are accountable to communities they serve. "GG funded projects should form coalitions for purposes of sharing information, experiences, best practices; this is the BIG brother BIG sister kind of relationships."
“Just giving money without follow-ups is dangerous,” says Mohamed. "At Carolina for Kibera, we have received leverage just by being on the GG website."
We seek to talk to some of the beneficiaries of the project and so he takes us to a building about 300 meters from the office site and here we meet some girls who have been and are still beneficiaries of the organization.
=============================
We met Maureen Wandia, she is full of praise of the project.
"I joined the project when I was 12 years. I have now just completed high school and gotten myself placement at the office at Brain Trust."
I ask her what that means, and she explains, "I help other girls realise their dreams. I have been mentored and given opportunities by this project, so it is my time now to give back."
She goes ahead to explain, "When I talk to the other girls, I remind them that living in a slum is not the end of life. Rise up and give your life a direction, show others that you can make a difference. That is what i do at Brain Trust."
"Binti pamoja has changed my life," she says.
=============================
Linet Nyanchama (21 years) was busy typing on her computer as we talked to Maureen. She looks at us with expections. She has a story to tell. I ask, "So when did you join the project?"
"I was 14 years", she says.
I can tell, from the confidence on her face that she is truly empowered.
"I am a peer educator. I discuss issues of sexaulity and sexual maturation with younger girls. I also facilitated the formation of the peer education group as a way of giving back to my community in Kibera. This project has seen me through school and are paying for my college education. And besides they have offered me a job."
I ask her how much she earns, and without coersion, she discloses her allowances - ksh.900.00. She is the proud earner of a salary of 9000.00 kenya shillings which is close to a dream to majority of the Kibera residents.
"I wish that the world could encourage more girls to realise their dreams," Says Linet.
=============================
Jackline Angwanda is another beneficiary of Carolina for Kibera. She says that she was introduced to the project by a friend and since then she has never regretted. She is a partial orphan with 4 siblings. She is the sole bread winner for her family.
"How do you manage to provide for your family?" I asked.
"My mother taught us how to share and be responsible to others from an early age, and this is a value that I urge other girls to emmulate. We should go beyond our families and help the community," she concludes with a parting shot. "If you empower girls, you eradicate poverty and I see this through the girls at Carolina for Kibera."
"Our organization is of young people, you can see our CEO and even all the other officers," says Jackline.
As we approach the offices, we notice about three four-wheel drive vehicles with diplomatic number plates parked outside the offices which are in the sprawling Kibera slums. I call Mohammed just to let him know that our team has arrived. “Sorry Leah, I am in the field , but just get to the office and talk to the people there.” This takes me by surprise, but I realize that this being a community project each and every person is empowered with information.
The security person ushers us to a meeting place, and then calls one of the officers from the main office to come and attend to us. He introduces himself as Ben Hagai, a program officer for Sexual and reproductive health. As we settle down to talk, Mohamed walks in and requests Ben to let him talk to us. This soft spoken man then takes us step by step on how the organization was started and its mission. He is full of praise of their relationship with GlobalGiving.
“If I can remember, GG gave us money in 2003 which we used to establish the health clinic, (Tabitha Medical Clinic). Since then, they have not given us any monetary support, but the fact they profile our work on their site has given us a lot of mileage for which we are truly grateful," says Mohamed.
"GG has created a lot of awareness through online documentation of our work," he says. However, this gentleman puts more emphasis on GG being able to ensure that projects are accountable to communities they serve. "GG funded projects should form coalitions for purposes of sharing information, experiences, best practices; this is the BIG brother BIG sister kind of relationships."
“Just giving money without follow-ups is dangerous,” says Mohamed. "At Carolina for Kibera, we have received leverage just by being on the GG website."
We seek to talk to some of the beneficiaries of the project and so he takes us to a building about 300 meters from the office site and here we meet some girls who have been and are still beneficiaries of the organization.
=============================
We met Maureen Wandia, she is full of praise of the project.
"I joined the project when I was 12 years. I have now just completed high school and gotten myself placement at the office at Brain Trust."
I ask her what that means, and she explains, "I help other girls realise their dreams. I have been mentored and given opportunities by this project, so it is my time now to give back."
She goes ahead to explain, "When I talk to the other girls, I remind them that living in a slum is not the end of life. Rise up and give your life a direction, show others that you can make a difference. That is what i do at Brain Trust."
"Binti pamoja has changed my life," she says.
=============================
Linet Nyanchama (21 years) was busy typing on her computer as we talked to Maureen. She looks at us with expections. She has a story to tell. I ask, "So when did you join the project?"
"I was 14 years", she says.
I can tell, from the confidence on her face that she is truly empowered.
"I am a peer educator. I discuss issues of sexaulity and sexual maturation with younger girls. I also facilitated the formation of the peer education group as a way of giving back to my community in Kibera. This project has seen me through school and are paying for my college education. And besides they have offered me a job."
I ask her how much she earns, and without coersion, she discloses her allowances - ksh.900.00. She is the proud earner of a salary of 9000.00 kenya shillings which is close to a dream to majority of the Kibera residents.
"I wish that the world could encourage more girls to realise their dreams," Says Linet.
=============================
Jackline Angwanda is another beneficiary of Carolina for Kibera. She says that she was introduced to the project by a friend and since then she has never regretted. She is a partial orphan with 4 siblings. She is the sole bread winner for her family.
"How do you manage to provide for your family?" I asked.
"My mother taught us how to share and be responsible to others from an early age, and this is a value that I urge other girls to emmulate. We should go beyond our families and help the community," she concludes with a parting shot. "If you empower girls, you eradicate poverty and I see this through the girls at Carolina for Kibera."
"Our organization is of young people, you can see our CEO and even all the other officers," says Jackline.
Attachments:
Want to support this project's continued work? 
A Postcard from Empowering Girls in Kibera
By Kara Wevers - Visitor, July 09, 2009 04:33 PM
Kara Wevers is a student who traveled throughout Africa and visited a number of GlobalGiving projects. On March 17th she visited "Empowering Girls in Kibera." When asked what she would tell her friends about this project, she said: "Great: They are making a difference."
Recently I got to sit down with Salim Mohamed at the Carolina for Kibera office in Nairobi. We talked about the good work that is being done by CFK in the Kibera slums, as they focus on issues of health, education, sanitation, empowerment, and leadership among those living in Kibera.
I was most struck by his description of one of their programs that works with teenage girls in the area. Many have been physically and sexually abused and bear gaping emotional scars as a result.
He spoke of the support group they have developed for these girls, teaching them and counseling them in key areas, as they grow up together in their dangerous neighborhoods. Those who have graduated from the program continue to meet with one another for encouragement, empowerment and support.
Carolina for Kibera remains a stable presence and a respected development organization among the Kibera community.
Recently I got to sit down with Salim Mohamed at the Carolina for Kibera office in Nairobi. We talked about the good work that is being done by CFK in the Kibera slums, as they focus on issues of health, education, sanitation, empowerment, and leadership among those living in Kibera.
I was most struck by his description of one of their programs that works with teenage girls in the area. Many have been physically and sexually abused and bear gaping emotional scars as a result.
He spoke of the support group they have developed for these girls, teaching them and counseling them in key areas, as they grow up together in their dangerous neighborhoods. Those who have graduated from the program continue to meet with one another for encouragement, empowerment and support.
Carolina for Kibera remains a stable presence and a respected development organization among the Kibera community.
Want to support this project's continued work?
CFK Day in Kibera
By Rye Barcott - Founder and President , December 19, 2008 04:16 PM
The end of November meant it was time for the annual “CFK Day” in Kibera. The main objective of this day is to recognize and reward all of the committed teams, groups and individuals who dedicate their time to CFK activities throughout the year.
This year’s celebration was attended by more than 5000 youth representing each CFK program as well as many other organizations and initiatives within in the slum. The youth of the Sports Program held a procession through the slum with banners reading “Tuliza Amani Mtaani,” or “We Want Peace in Kibera.” Over 1000 youth from various programs made the 4km hike as part of the parade!
As part of this year’s celebrations, CFK held a community forum in which the youth participated in the reading of poems and narratives as well as the performance of dances and skits. In addition to the community forum, the young women of Binti Pamoja also held a talent show for members from all the youth programs. Winners were rewarded with school uniforms, books and pens. The winning teams from the Sports Program won uniforms for each player. Finally, CFK also conducted an awards ceremony in which provost leadership awards were awarded to emerging young leaders within the community.
According to our Executive Director, “it was a day of fun that went from 7am to 9pm”!
As always, we welcome your comments and feedback. On behalf of the youth, staff, and volunteers of Carolina for Kibera, thank you all for your support! Without your generosity, our work would not be possible.
This year’s celebration was attended by more than 5000 youth representing each CFK program as well as many other organizations and initiatives within in the slum. The youth of the Sports Program held a procession through the slum with banners reading “Tuliza Amani Mtaani,” or “We Want Peace in Kibera.” Over 1000 youth from various programs made the 4km hike as part of the parade!
As part of this year’s celebrations, CFK held a community forum in which the youth participated in the reading of poems and narratives as well as the performance of dances and skits. In addition to the community forum, the young women of Binti Pamoja also held a talent show for members from all the youth programs. Winners were rewarded with school uniforms, books and pens. The winning teams from the Sports Program won uniforms for each player. Finally, CFK also conducted an awards ceremony in which provost leadership awards were awarded to emerging young leaders within the community.
According to our Executive Director, “it was a day of fun that went from 7am to 9pm”!
As always, we welcome your comments and feedback. On behalf of the youth, staff, and volunteers of Carolina for Kibera, thank you all for your support! Without your generosity, our work would not be possible.
Want to support this project's continued work?
Violence in Kibera and Kenya - Update from CFK
By Rye Barcott, President - Kimberly Page, Chair, Board of Directors, January 04, 2008 06:09 PM
Friends and colleagues,
Many of you have called or e-mailed asking for information and sending your thoughts and prayers to the Carolina for Kibera (CFK) staff and volunteers who are on the ground in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Thank you for your solidarity and support.
To our knowledge CFK staff and volunteers have suffered only one relatively minor injury as a result of the recent ethnic violence. However, large numbers of volunteers of all ages have had their houses burned and looted. There are no Americans volunteering with CFK at the moment on the ground in Kibera. CFK has kept its office and clinic closed since the election. However, today we began a short-term feeding program out of our youth center.
The violence stems from the December 27 presidential election in Kenya. At first, the election seemed to be peaceful and well orchestrated. It appeared as though the main opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, had a significant lead in the early polls. The violence began after President Kibaki was prematurely declared the winner in a small, hasty ceremony at his Presidential estate. It is unclear whether or not Kibaki won the election, but elections monitors (including the Kenyan head of the Kenyan Electoral Commission) have publicly called the election results illegitimate.
Although ethnic divisiveness is no stranger to Kenyan politics, no one anticipated the level of violence that has engulfed Kibera and much of Kenya. The situation on the ground is deteriorating rapidly as each day passes. Stores in Nairobi are looted and people, particularly the poor, are running out of food. Food prices are soaring. Large swaths of Kibera are burned to the ground. Criminal opportunists have joined the fray and there are incidents of wanton violence. Yesterday we received reports that a group of community members repelled a gang of thugs from looting and burning our youth center.
It should be noted, however, that those perpetrating the violence in Kibera number perhaps in the hundreds. Over 700,000 people, half of whom are under the age of 15, reside in the slum. Nevertheless, the level of hatred and divisiveness throughout Kenya today is unprecedented. People are afraid, and those with the means are fleeing from Kibera and other multi-ethnic communities racked by violence. Each day of violence besets the next and further solidifies more ethnic enmity.
The violence must stop now. Efforts to unite Odinga and Kibaki and encourage these leaders to lead and bring a halt to the violence have thus far been futile. None of these leaders have been on the ground in Kibera since the violence began.
In the face of this current tragedy, we must take stock of where we are as an organization. Some commentators suggest that these events signify a hopelessness of development and progress in Kenya. We who have labored on the ground with our brothers and sisters in Kibera see it much differently. We initially started CFK as a small soccer program with a hundred youths from every village and every ethnic group in Kibera. A key goal was to help promote ethnic cooperation and support the education of remarkable young leaders living in some of the most austere conditions imaginable. The violence reminds us that development depends on good governance and security. But our charge is still very clear, and even more important in light of the current bloodletting. CFK staff and volunteers are the forces and voices of positive change that will help create and sustain an equitable and peaceful society.
We will post updates about new developments to our website. If you are interested in learning more, below is a powerful UN article that features CFK and Binti Pamoja member Fatuma Roba. Her two-minute radio interview is particularly powerful. Also included is a link to a front-page article about CFK and Kibera from the Raleigh News and Observer and an insightful op-ed in the Financial Times from long-time CFK supporter and dear friend Michael Holman. Below is a graphic video of the violence in Kibera from CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/01/03/mckenzie.lok.kenya.protestor.standoff.cnn?iref=videosearch
Please keep our brave leaders and volunteers on the ground in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. It is likely to get worse before it gets better. If you are so inclined, we could as always use your financial support.
Tumeshukuru (Gratefully),
Rye Barcott
President and Founder
Kimberly Chapman Page
Chair, Board of Directors
You can make a donation online through GlobalGiving to support CFK or learn more at: http://cfk.unc.edu
Many of you have called or e-mailed asking for information and sending your thoughts and prayers to the Carolina for Kibera (CFK) staff and volunteers who are on the ground in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Thank you for your solidarity and support.
To our knowledge CFK staff and volunteers have suffered only one relatively minor injury as a result of the recent ethnic violence. However, large numbers of volunteers of all ages have had their houses burned and looted. There are no Americans volunteering with CFK at the moment on the ground in Kibera. CFK has kept its office and clinic closed since the election. However, today we began a short-term feeding program out of our youth center.
The violence stems from the December 27 presidential election in Kenya. At first, the election seemed to be peaceful and well orchestrated. It appeared as though the main opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, had a significant lead in the early polls. The violence began after President Kibaki was prematurely declared the winner in a small, hasty ceremony at his Presidential estate. It is unclear whether or not Kibaki won the election, but elections monitors (including the Kenyan head of the Kenyan Electoral Commission) have publicly called the election results illegitimate.
Although ethnic divisiveness is no stranger to Kenyan politics, no one anticipated the level of violence that has engulfed Kibera and much of Kenya. The situation on the ground is deteriorating rapidly as each day passes. Stores in Nairobi are looted and people, particularly the poor, are running out of food. Food prices are soaring. Large swaths of Kibera are burned to the ground. Criminal opportunists have joined the fray and there are incidents of wanton violence. Yesterday we received reports that a group of community members repelled a gang of thugs from looting and burning our youth center.
It should be noted, however, that those perpetrating the violence in Kibera number perhaps in the hundreds. Over 700,000 people, half of whom are under the age of 15, reside in the slum. Nevertheless, the level of hatred and divisiveness throughout Kenya today is unprecedented. People are afraid, and those with the means are fleeing from Kibera and other multi-ethnic communities racked by violence. Each day of violence besets the next and further solidifies more ethnic enmity.
The violence must stop now. Efforts to unite Odinga and Kibaki and encourage these leaders to lead and bring a halt to the violence have thus far been futile. None of these leaders have been on the ground in Kibera since the violence began.
In the face of this current tragedy, we must take stock of where we are as an organization. Some commentators suggest that these events signify a hopelessness of development and progress in Kenya. We who have labored on the ground with our brothers and sisters in Kibera see it much differently. We initially started CFK as a small soccer program with a hundred youths from every village and every ethnic group in Kibera. A key goal was to help promote ethnic cooperation and support the education of remarkable young leaders living in some of the most austere conditions imaginable. The violence reminds us that development depends on good governance and security. But our charge is still very clear, and even more important in light of the current bloodletting. CFK staff and volunteers are the forces and voices of positive change that will help create and sustain an equitable and peaceful society.
We will post updates about new developments to our website. If you are interested in learning more, below is a powerful UN article that features CFK and Binti Pamoja member Fatuma Roba. Her two-minute radio interview is particularly powerful. Also included is a link to a front-page article about CFK and Kibera from the Raleigh News and Observer and an insightful op-ed in the Financial Times from long-time CFK supporter and dear friend Michael Holman. Below is a graphic video of the violence in Kibera from CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/01/03/mckenzie.lok.kenya.protestor.standoff.cnn?iref=videosearch
Please keep our brave leaders and volunteers on the ground in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. It is likely to get worse before it gets better. If you are so inclined, we could as always use your financial support.
Tumeshukuru (Gratefully),
Rye Barcott
President and Founder
Kimberly Chapman Page
Chair, Board of Directors
You can make a donation online through GlobalGiving to support CFK or learn more at: http://cfk.unc.edu
Links:
Want to support this project's continued work?
Quarterly report from the Binti Pamoja Center at Carolina for Kibera in Kenya!
By Emily Reynolds Pierce - Vice President, November 05, 2007 05:35 PM
Thank you very much for your support of the Binti Pamoja (Daughters United) Center at Carolina for Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. Please check out the quarterly report submitted by the leaders of the Center on the ground in Kibera. Much was achieved during the 3rd Quarter!
-ERP
The core Binti Pamoja program and the alumni “mapping safe spaces” project have undertaken various activities in this quarter. Several weekly reproductive health discussions have been conducted. We have an average of 267 young girls aged 11 to 17 years attending the meetings and other events organized by the Center.
Weekly reproductive health discussions
90% of the girls either in the core or the alumni programming were able to attend the meetings this quarter. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, adolescent reproductive health rights and HIV/AIDS were the main topics discussed. Role plays, debates, games and participatory facilitations were used to make the discussions more interesting to the members. Newer members in the program have shown a great change in terms of their self esteem and confidence. They are much freer and open to discuss sexuality issues. This is also evident with most of the girls participating in the safes spaces project.
Newsletter meetings
Lynsey Farrel (A former CFK summer volunteer and Ph.D student) and the newsletter committee worked on the 14th “Tunanego” newsletter edition. The headline of the magazine highlights the sexual abuse incidences that erupted in another Nairobi slum, Mathare, in the month of July. The writer sensitizes the police force community to give protection to girls and women other than being perpetuators of sexual and other abuses. We were able to distribute approximately 750 copies of last edition of "Tunanego" to various targeted audiences in the community. This was done through community forums, drama outreaches, big Binti Pamoja events and individually to girls and youth in the community.
Life Planning Skills Training / Financial Literacy Training
The two trainings were held at Savelberg Retreat Center in August from the 27th to the 31st. A total of 31 girls were trained on sexuality and gender issues, preventing teenage pregnancy, facilitation skills, life skills and financial literacy. A trained counselor working with the Kenya Association of Professional Counselors, a child rights’ lawyer and a gender trainer were the main facilitators during the training. Four members of the group who are expected to graduate as peer leaders in December this year were able facilitate various apportioned topics. This enabled evaluation of their knowledge and the skills in order to recommend them for the next level of leadership within the Binti Pamoja Center.
The Financial Literacy Training was facilitated by the alumni trainers. They trained on topics, including budgeting, savings, banking services and earning money.
Binti Pamoja Quarterly Joint Event
On 1st September, we organized a Binti Pamoja Talent show day. This is a quarterly event organized for all the girls in the core and safe spaces groups for the sake of integration of the two programs. Different drama performances, dances, poems and reproductive health talks addressing different issues were highlighted throughout the event. Yasmin Mohamed gave a talk on HIV/AIDS while the other 10 girls representing their respective safe space groups in this activity. Swan Group headed by Maureen Wandia and Alice Nyaboke got the best group award. Shades Classic theatre group from Kibera were present and gave a stunning performance on the role of VCT to the prevention of HIV/AIDS infection among young people. Guests represented were from Kenya Development Agency (KDA), Leonard Cheshire Organization, National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE) and many others. The event is very significant to the young women as it enables them celebrate life, exchange ideas, appreciate their talents and have fun together. 267 young girls from the alumni and 80 girls from the core program attended the function, exclusive of other youth people from the community. The event took place at Kianda village.
Family event
On 19th August, the Center was able to host a family event for all the Binti Pamoja members. This is a quarterly event that brings all the parents together to discuss project issues and decide on way forward in terms of promoting open communication with their daughters. 141 parents attended the event. This was a very impressive attendance that had a fruitful discussion. We looked at the challenges facing parents as they raise up adolescent girls, analyzed the successes of Binti Pamoja as a community project and the recommendations to make it a better project. The parents recommended that the Center needs to incorporate computer and vocational training skills to the girls for holistic empowerment to the young women.
Photography Project
Group 5 members had their third photography assignment this quarter. The main purpose of taking these photos is to simply use them in various discussions. We will also use the excellent photos to tell their stories through an exhibit to a wider crowd within and outside Kibera community. The major photo exhibition is planned for the coming quarter.
Guest speaker
Financial literacy topics are of great interest to all the girls. The girls are trained in financial skills to mainly compliment their social skills to make informed choices regarding sexuality decisions, thus reduce their risks to STI infection and other vulnerabilities. Elizabeth Mukami, a project manager with the Younger Savers, KREP group was the guest speaker in September. She elaborated more on the importance of banking services especially savings for young girls.
Alumni “Mapping Safe Spaces” Life Skills Training
A total of 267 girls from 10 alumni groups were trained on reproductive health, life skills and peer education issues. This was an in-house training that was mainly facilitated by the alumni members. The main objective of these trainings is also to help analyze the facilitation skills level of all the peer leaders, their capacity in coordinating trainings and the commitment in working with the girls.
-ERP
The core Binti Pamoja program and the alumni “mapping safe spaces” project have undertaken various activities in this quarter. Several weekly reproductive health discussions have been conducted. We have an average of 267 young girls aged 11 to 17 years attending the meetings and other events organized by the Center.
Weekly reproductive health discussions
90% of the girls either in the core or the alumni programming were able to attend the meetings this quarter. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, adolescent reproductive health rights and HIV/AIDS were the main topics discussed. Role plays, debates, games and participatory facilitations were used to make the discussions more interesting to the members. Newer members in the program have shown a great change in terms of their self esteem and confidence. They are much freer and open to discuss sexuality issues. This is also evident with most of the girls participating in the safes spaces project.
Newsletter meetings
Lynsey Farrel (A former CFK summer volunteer and Ph.D student) and the newsletter committee worked on the 14th “Tunanego” newsletter edition. The headline of the magazine highlights the sexual abuse incidences that erupted in another Nairobi slum, Mathare, in the month of July. The writer sensitizes the police force community to give protection to girls and women other than being perpetuators of sexual and other abuses. We were able to distribute approximately 750 copies of last edition of "Tunanego" to various targeted audiences in the community. This was done through community forums, drama outreaches, big Binti Pamoja events and individually to girls and youth in the community.
Life Planning Skills Training / Financial Literacy Training
The two trainings were held at Savelberg Retreat Center in August from the 27th to the 31st. A total of 31 girls were trained on sexuality and gender issues, preventing teenage pregnancy, facilitation skills, life skills and financial literacy. A trained counselor working with the Kenya Association of Professional Counselors, a child rights’ lawyer and a gender trainer were the main facilitators during the training. Four members of the group who are expected to graduate as peer leaders in December this year were able facilitate various apportioned topics. This enabled evaluation of their knowledge and the skills in order to recommend them for the next level of leadership within the Binti Pamoja Center.
The Financial Literacy Training was facilitated by the alumni trainers. They trained on topics, including budgeting, savings, banking services and earning money.
Binti Pamoja Quarterly Joint Event
On 1st September, we organized a Binti Pamoja Talent show day. This is a quarterly event organized for all the girls in the core and safe spaces groups for the sake of integration of the two programs. Different drama performances, dances, poems and reproductive health talks addressing different issues were highlighted throughout the event. Yasmin Mohamed gave a talk on HIV/AIDS while the other 10 girls representing their respective safe space groups in this activity. Swan Group headed by Maureen Wandia and Alice Nyaboke got the best group award. Shades Classic theatre group from Kibera were present and gave a stunning performance on the role of VCT to the prevention of HIV/AIDS infection among young people. Guests represented were from Kenya Development Agency (KDA), Leonard Cheshire Organization, National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE) and many others. The event is very significant to the young women as it enables them celebrate life, exchange ideas, appreciate their talents and have fun together. 267 young girls from the alumni and 80 girls from the core program attended the function, exclusive of other youth people from the community. The event took place at Kianda village.
Family event
On 19th August, the Center was able to host a family event for all the Binti Pamoja members. This is a quarterly event that brings all the parents together to discuss project issues and decide on way forward in terms of promoting open communication with their daughters. 141 parents attended the event. This was a very impressive attendance that had a fruitful discussion. We looked at the challenges facing parents as they raise up adolescent girls, analyzed the successes of Binti Pamoja as a community project and the recommendations to make it a better project. The parents recommended that the Center needs to incorporate computer and vocational training skills to the girls for holistic empowerment to the young women.
Photography Project
Group 5 members had their third photography assignment this quarter. The main purpose of taking these photos is to simply use them in various discussions. We will also use the excellent photos to tell their stories through an exhibit to a wider crowd within and outside Kibera community. The major photo exhibition is planned for the coming quarter.
Guest speaker
Financial literacy topics are of great interest to all the girls. The girls are trained in financial skills to mainly compliment their social skills to make informed choices regarding sexuality decisions, thus reduce their risks to STI infection and other vulnerabilities. Elizabeth Mukami, a project manager with the Younger Savers, KREP group was the guest speaker in September. She elaborated more on the importance of banking services especially savings for young girls.
Alumni “Mapping Safe Spaces” Life Skills Training
A total of 267 girls from 10 alumni groups were trained on reproductive health, life skills and peer education issues. This was an in-house training that was mainly facilitated by the alumni members. The main objective of these trainings is also to help analyze the facilitation skills level of all the peer leaders, their capacity in coordinating trainings and the commitment in working with the girls.
Want to support this project's continued work?
Binti Girls Paint Mural and Take Field Trip to Undugu Girls Center
By Emily Pierce - Vice President, August 16, 2007 03:39 PM
The Binti Pamoja Center has been busy this summer; the girls are taking lessons in creative writing, learning Spanish, going on field trips, and even salsa dancing! CFK Summer Fellow Laura Williamson (a senior at the University of North Carolina) has just returned from working with the girls in Kibera and sent us the attached photos.
Binti members took on a new project to beautify the CFK offices by designing, sketching and then painting a mural inside the CFK meeting hall. Through this project, not only have the girls left their mark on CFK, but it was also another exercise in teamwork and cooperation to acheive their creative vision.
Later, Binti members took a field trip to the Undugu Girls Center where our peer educators engaged the Undugu youth in discussions about reproductive health and other important social and development issues. The Binti girls also distributed the latest issue of their newsletter, Tunanego (Let's Talk).
Binti members took on a new project to beautify the CFK offices by designing, sketching and then painting a mural inside the CFK meeting hall. Through this project, not only have the girls left their mark on CFK, but it was also another exercise in teamwork and cooperation to acheive their creative vision.
Later, Binti members took a field trip to the Undugu Girls Center where our peer educators engaged the Undugu youth in discussions about reproductive health and other important social and development issues. The Binti girls also distributed the latest issue of their newsletter, Tunanego (Let's Talk).
Pictures:
