Girls of Wamunyu in rural Kenya are bright and eager to learn, but have to overcome many barriers in obtaining an education. Kenya Connect is working to help female students overcome these barriers by proving Reusable Sanitary Pad Kits (Wings Poa), Sexual Health and Family Planning workshops and ongoing enrichment programs for girls in technology, literacy, and economic empowerment. Help us keep girls in school and empower them to find and use their voice to lift out of extreme poverty.
In conducting surveys with the Head Teachers and Teachers in Wamunyu, we learned that girls miss an average of 4 days per month when they have their menstrual cycle and that the #1 reason they drop out of school is unplanned pregnancies. This mirrors what is happening country-wide. Numerous studies have documented the fact that a high number of teens are already sexually active. These young girls are part of the four in ten women in Kenya aged between 15 and 49 who have unintended pregnancies.
Kenya Connect has already provided over 180 Wings Poa Kits to girls resulting in higher attendance rates for those students. Programs on sexual reproduction and family planning will provide essential information to girls and boys on how to prevent teenage pregnancies and stay healthy. These programs, coupled with academic enrichment in technology, literacy and social enterprise, will help break the cycle of poverty for the 8,000 girl students and their families.
This project will educate secondary school students on sexual reproductive health and family planning measures resulting in fewer unplanned pregnancies and economic well-being for the community. With skills, knowledge and support, girls will also have new tools for economic opportunities through learning technology, being literate, and being taught social enterprise methodologies in creative and motivating ways.
