Girls for the future Project

Introduction

In the remote villages of Homa Bay County, girls face tough odds—early pregnancies, gender-based violence, and school dropouts. But thanks to your support, these young women are rewriting their futures. Through the Girls for the Future program, we are equipping them with education, vocational skills, counseling, and dignity. They are rising from hardship with new hope—and becoming change-makers in their communities.

What We Achieved Together

1. A Safe Place to Heal and Grow

Four vulnerable girls—fleeing abuse and trauma—found refuge at our Rescue Center. Here, they received healthcare, counseling, and a stable environment to begin healing and rebuilding their self-esteem. While some await reunification with families, others are preparing to return to school or join skill-based training.

2. Igniting Economic Hope for Families

In partnership with LVCT Health's Vukisha 95 project, we trained 189 caregivers—mostly women—in agri-business and financial literacy across 12 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Already, 99 have launched income-generating activities, like poultry rearing and vegetable farming. These mothers are now saving for their children’s future and building resilience.

3. Knowledge is Power: Reproductive Health Outreach

Our outreach reached 1,567 students (999 girls and 568 boys) with honest conversations about peer pressure, gender-based violence, and healthy sexuality. We also distributed 261 dignity packs (sanitary towels) to girls from vulnerable backgrounds—ensuring no girl misses school due to her period. During a powerful seminar titled “Healthy Sex, Healthy Life,” students explored how choices affect their education, health, and spirituality.

4. Fighting HIV with Awareness and Testing

Through voluntary HIV testing, 279 youth (152 females, 127 males) accessed vital services. Two individuals who tested positive are now receiving treatment and psychosocial support—proving that early detection saves lives.

5. Apprenticeships That Build Futures

We enrolled 19 young women—16 of them teenage mothers—into hands-on apprenticeship programs, teaching them trades like hairdressing and beauty therapy and barbering coupled with computer skills training. This model not only equips them with employable skills but also gives them real-world experience without the burden of student debt. Additionally, 6 girls were placed on field attachments, opening their eyes to market-ready skills and networks.

6. Support for Children with Disabilities

Four children with correctable disabilities underwent surgery in partnership with APDK. Two are already home with their families, while two remain in recovery. We continue community dialogues to challenge disability stigma—still wrongly associated with witchcraft in some areas.

What Challenges remain

• Funding gaps limit our ability to scale the apprenticeship program and offer scholarships to teenage mothers.
• Survivors of abuse often face legal barriers and family rejection.
• Disability stigma continues to hinder inclusion and awareness in rural settings.

Conclusion

Your continued support can transform lives. With your help, we can:

• Provide scholarships for more teenage mothers
• Supply dignity kits to keep girls in school
• Expand rescue and safe shelter services
• Scale up vocational training and apprenticeships

Every dollar helps a girl reclaim her future. Let’s keep lifting them—one girl at a time.